[[HIGHLIGHT]]Sweet Lou's BBQ is a fantastic place to enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making the entire dining experience enjoyable. The BBQ is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Every side dish we tried was just as delicious as the main course. Best of all, the portions are generous and reasonably priced. As a family of five, we were able to enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank. We will definitely be coming back! Highly recommended! read more

See all

More Pros than Cons meaning we'll be back! Pros - good Kielbasa sausage, bbq sauce, pork spare ribs, potato salad, sliced brisket sandwich. Cons - Mac and cheese too mushy, Cole slaw under dressed, Sweet Lou's pulled pork and brisket sandwich was very light on the pork and the brisket was one super hard end bit. We like the idea of having a local independent bbq place nearby and we will definitely be back. Me for the kielbasa again and I want to try the cornbread and beans. My husband really liked the spare ribs and brisket sandwich. He said it made all the difference that the brisket was sliced, not chopped. I had a bite of his potato salad and it was really good too. I liked the kielbasa and it was great that a bbq place didn't only have hot links. Service was friendly and fast. They've only been open about a year and it's nice that people are finding it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You can order To Go or they have a few tables outside (no shade) or on the back patio with umbrellas.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Open Wednesday through Saturday, no phone orders. read more

See all

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Excellent barbecue, great and fair prices, and awesome atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's a mom and pop shop with great hospitality. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. We got a pound of brisket, beef rib, (2) pieces of pork ribs, a hot link, sides were all really good. Everything was really good. I liked how you could add ribs ala cart and the portions were big. Our brisket came lightly chopped which always makes me skeptical, but man it was one of the better brisket I've had lately, better than a lot of the fancier bbq restaurants we've went to. Overall a great experience, we will be back. read more

I love BBQ and Sweet Lou's has been around for a while, but they just took over this space less than a year ago. Love the Ala cart and combo menus. The owners are very nice. The food is good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's a nice seating area at the rear of the restaurant and plenty of parking.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have been BbQ'ing for almost 20 years so come and give the a try. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

See all

Came back to give it another try and way better than our first visit. Overall improvements to the service but the best part was the food. They must have changed whatever they were smoking the meat with because the flavors of the bbq is way better. The Mac and cheese was still a bit watery and not just what I like but I'm sure for others it's great. Definitely willing to come back after this visit and hoping they keep the consistency read more

See all

There's a derelict Chuck E Cheese across the street and very little else in this quiet corner of Huntington Beach. Walk into the old A frame restaurant and they'll had you a clipboard to fill out your order. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's some covered seating in the back patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is a real family run place and Sweet Lou is front and center. He'll serve you up your order then pay at the cashier. They have brisket, pulled pork, ribs and sausage along with the classic bbq sides. The brisket looked a little hammered to me but sauced up on a roll it was good eating. My friend had pulled pork and rib tips and looked excellent. I will be back to try those. Beverages are an old selection of canned sodas and water. read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Brisket sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Oh my goodness! What a really great find. Thank you my fellow Yelpers for putting Sweet Lou's BBQ in my radar! FOOD My partner and I ordered two combos with a couple extras: - 4 meat combo & 4 oz side ($19) Brisket, Pulled Pork, Kielbasa Sausage, and Turkey - 1 big beef rib & 4 oz side ($15) - 8oz Mac n Cheese ($4) - 1 St. Louis spare pork rib ($3) - 1 pc Blueberry Cornbread ($3) The side options for the combos are baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni salad, or potato salad. For both combos, we ordered the coleslaw, which was surprisingly flavorful and refreshing. Sometimes places serve bland coleslaw, but everything here felt intentional and perfectly seasoned. Both combos were so good, but the bbq that blew me away were the big beef rib and the St. Louis spare rib. Next time, I'll be ordering just the beef rib combo and some extra St. Louis ribs. Yum! Both ribs were so moist. The beef rib fell off the bone completely! The bbq sauce was sweet but not overly so, and complimented the meat well. Mac & cheese was seasoned well. I kept going back for more! And the blueberry corn bread was moist, and the blueberries gave it a nice tang. Next time, we'll try the jalapeño one that was sold out when we got there. The owner brought a peach cobbler dump cake for us to try, and it was sooo good too! Not too sweet. Overall, I thought the food was priced really fairly compared to other local bbq joints in Orange County and LA. The quality of food is probably the best I've had at any bbq joint around here! (This will probably be our new go-to for beef ribs!) SERVICE Service was great here! We were greeted by the owner, Lou. And he really IS sweet! The two workers today, Irene and Irene (yes, there's two!) were so kind too. They took my order sheet, prepared our order, and even gave us an extra pork rib so we won't fight over it! (And you know what? It was so good - I think we would have fought over it!) AMBIANCE There are a few outdoor tables lining the perimeter of the restaurant and a small outdoor patio that is fenced off. The patio is inviting, lit up at night, and set up with a few tables that have utensils, wet napkins, and regular napkins. The owner came out a couple times to check on us, and we shared a nice conversation about how he started barbecuing. Can't believe this place opened back in June 2025! Also, the owner says he's working on setting up a phone line so that customers can contact the restaurant. 5/5 stars; I'm coming back. Thank you for the memorable visit! read more

See all

Love this little gem! Great food and a great staff! You must try the pulled pork pie! read more

First Visit The entire was staff was more than helpful. We were treated with a smile in a non busy day. Kudos Order the combination plate. Price was ok I guess. Par for bbq. My favorite was the pulled pork! We ordered a side of pork ribs. They were outstanding The brisket on the combination plate was not my favorite. It was a bit fatty, too much. Not to tender sorry to say. Other than that Highly recommend Thank You for reading read more

See all

MEAT UP!!! And meet up here!!! Best BBQ in North HB. Best sauce! Best service!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Clean place and comfortable patio seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is comfort food! Killa-Basa is my favorite sandwich at this place. read more

Oh my lawd! This is the barbecue of our dreams! My best buddy and I specialize is delicious barbecue. We love pizza and tacos as well, but barbecue is closest to our heart. We haven't had a favorite place for barbecue in years. Well that has all changed since we had lunch at Sweet Lou's Barbecue on Wednesday. This place has the very best we have tasted in many years. My pulled pork sandwich with the house made sauce was the best! The potato salad side was tasty, the blueberry cornbread was scrumptious. The service was down home wonderful. Sweet Lou was...well...a sweet sweet man. His team is on-point! Plenty of parking at lunchtime, a comfy private patio. This is your new favorite barbecue! I will see you there for lunch this Wednesday! read more

See all

It was very disappointing as I went there to pick up dinner as Ive heard it's great barbecue. I got there and there at 5:40 pm and they were all out of food I even tried Ed calling prior but it was here catering # and it was a recording. They really need to have a working # for the shack which he gave me to use next time. I guess if u want it make sure you go early!' read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Sign on the door "sold out" - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Food was a great, I thought the macaroni was just amazing, the turkey wasn't dry, link was well cooked, the ribs were great, the only think was the brisket that disappointed it was a little dry and idk if they chop it up and serve it but i didn't get any good slices other then that honestly food was great [[HIGHLIGHT]]the vibe was super welcoming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and there was a couple a sweet young lady's in the front helping me with my order. read more

See all

So this was our first time here. Didn't know the process until we finally reached the counter to order. Grab yourself a clip board with a menu and check off what you would like to order. Then hand the order to the gentleman behind the counter. This wasn't apparent to us right off the bat, but will need to remember it for the next time. So I have mixed feelings, as my mom didn't fully love her meal. I can only say this about my 4 meat combo plate. The turkey was nice and Smokey and moist. The sausage was good, but would have liked a bit more spice. The pulled pork and brisket were good, but you have to enjoy a bit of savory fat for moistness and flavor. I know some people who would not like it and call it too fatty. The pork was moist and good, but would have liked a bit more bbq sauce. I also ordered a side of their blueberry corn bread and like most corn breads I have had they are a bit dry. I was surprise not to receive any butter, but added a bit of honey when I got home, which helped add some sweetness and moisture. Overall, I would go back and possible try one of their sandwiches. The people were friendly and helpful. So give it a try and enjoy.... read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - 4 meat combo and a side of blueberry corn bread - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

See all

I have never tried a BBQ restaurant ever, and I am glad Sweet Lou's was my first choice! I was recommended this spot by someone, and grew curious whether if I would like it or not, since I have never adventured out for BBQ. Immediately coming into the restaurant, you could see everyone hard at work fulfilling orders and the smell of BBQ! They have two small tables out front of the establishment, and some private tables out in the back. I opted to eat in! I ordered the beef rib with a side of potato salad and blueberry cornbread, and my boy got baked beans, macaroni, and some cornbread as well. Upon the first bites, my boy and I looked at each other and instantly knew we made a good decision in coming here to eat! The meat was so juicy, tender, and beyond words. The BBQ sauce that came with it was awesome. The staff and Sweet Lou himself came to check in on us and asked if we were doing okay and how the food was. It was very thoughtful of them checking in on us. I explained to Sweet Lou that it was my first time having BBQ, and he came by later and brought me over pork ribs to try out! The care and thoughtfulness this establishment has is just so heartwarming and generous. I will definitely be back. :) read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - BIG Beef Ribs... Corn Bread... Macaroni Salad... - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Have been dying to try this new small bbq business based on community reviews I've read. There aren't very many bbq restaurants in Huntington Beach, but this is where it's at! First moment we walked in, we were greeted by a friendly and welcoming staff. The owner Lou has such a warm disposition. He came out to introduce himself and show us how their ordering works. My sister got the brisket, blueberry cornbread and potato salad. She really enjoyed it. I got the brisket sandwich, potato salad and regular cornbread. The cornbread was SO VERY GOOD. brisket was delicious and their house made bbq sauce is absolutely out of this world. The potato salad was also super good as I consider myself somewhat of a potato salad connoisseur. It had more of a dill base, which was very good. Lou came out to see how we liked everything and chatted with us for a while which was so nice to learn about how they got here and how much they really want to serve our community. They have this cute patio area out back that is enclosed to enjoy your food or you can take it to-go! They also do catering, so if you need some delicious bbq, go on in and chat with them. They have only been open a few months but are getting rave reviews already. They don't have a phone quite yet, so I recommend stopping on by if you have questions and trying out some of their delicious food that is definitely reasonably priced. read more

See all

I've been enjoying Sweet Lou's since the 'soft open' and had another great experience and tasty BBQ meal Consistency over time is priceless and Sweet Lou's delivers ! read more

I finally tried Sweet Lou's BBQ for the first time today after seeing them recommended many times on FB and driving past the place several times. Right away, they were very welcoming and helpful. Since it was my first visit, they took the time to walk me through the menu, answer questions, and chat with me a bit. They came across as genuine, friendly, and happy to help, which really stood out. I ordered the combo plate, which comes with brisket, pulled pork, sausage, turkey, and one side. I chose the potato salad. Everything on the plate was superb. The brisket, pulled pork, and sausage were all great, but I was honestly surprised by the turkey. I didn't expect it to be as good as the other meats, but it was tender, juicy, and really flavorful. The potato salad was also a great classic potato salad and paired really well with the BBQ. Overall, this was a great first experience. Friendly people, great food, and a welcoming local business. If you'd like to support a local business where you're treated like family and not just a number, go to Lou's. I'll definitely be back. *This review deserves a pic of the plate but, unfortunately, I accidentally at it all before I wrote this. read more

...OK, so much talk about BBQ these days, especially since all of HB has been waiting ages for the one on Springdale & Edwards to open... I did a little research and found a new store front called Sweet Lou's. Up until recently, they were only a pop up, but have already scored 5 Stars on Yelp, with 200 reviews! My husband is a meat lover, but the last few BBQ's were busts... and super expensive, but I'm happy to say Sweet Lou's is VERY REASONABLE, in comparison... OK, I took one bite of everything and this is BY FAR the BEST BBQ I've ever had! We both agree that ALL THE MEAT is super moist, tender, juicy and so tasty!!! ...and I'm not EVEN a BBQ fan! Good job Sweet Lou's! Welcome to Huntington Beach! read more

See all

Just go eat there and thank me later! Family owned and operated, they are sweethearts! read more

We were so excited that the food truck / trailer we follow is not a brick and mortar in HB! Had to come and try it. Found out today is the 2nd day Sweet Lou's has been open. I got the brisket sandwich and the brisket was so tasty. It came with a 4 oz side and I got the baked beans. Also super tasty. We also tried the 4 meat platter and the best was the turkey and sausage link. Actually, all 4 meats were delicious!! We sat outside and it was a beautiful sunny lunch afternoon. Service was excellent and they were so friendly. Look forward to eating here again! read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Brisket Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

See all

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack was fantastic! The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. My favorite dish was the beef ribs, they were incredibly tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. You can really tell they put a lot of care into their food. I'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend it! read more

My first time here and I live around the corner from here. Very excited to try their bbq big ribs and brisket. I didn't know the brisket was chopped I was expecting slices but I wasn't disappointed. The prices are very good. $15 for a big beef rib and a side. $25/lb for the brisket. The beef rib was cooked really well. It feel right off the bone but the meat wasn't too moist. I really liked their hot links each bite had a snap and the flavors were really good. I preferred their potato salad over their Mac salad. The blueberry corn bread was ok I'm not a fan of cornbread in general but it was recommended so I had to try. The ladies that run the show are very nice and pleasant to deal with. This place had a Sunday football special 10% off if you wore your favorite team. We will try it again because they are close and I do crave bbq often! read more

See all

We got the pleasure of trying Sweet Lou's since our work catered them for lunch. It was very delicious. Everyone who was serving us was very kind. We got to try a little bit of everything. Food: - Dinner roll was normal - Baked Beans were fantastic - Slaw was fresh and crisp - Brisket was moist and tender - BBQ sauce was great but I wish there was also some HOT bbq sauce too! - Chicken was the most underrated and DELICIOUS THING! I usually am not too much of a chicken person but this was absolutely succulent. - Pulled pork was great. - Mac and Cheese was solid but I forgot I'm a little lactose so I was farting up a storm in the office after but it was worth it. Overall, I had a great experience there. I'd love to try the other flavors of BBQ they have! Thank you so much for the time and meal! read more

Food is absolutely delicious, highly recommend! That's just the beginning.... the owner / staff are there to answer any questions and take your order to your taste. The menu is an excellent variety, just go! read more

We just used Sweet Lou's again for a family party. The ribs were a HUGE hit!!!! They were the fan favorite. But the sausages were also very popular and the brisket was fantastic. Lou makes it so easy and he really is just a genuinely kind person that wants you to have an amazing event! read more

Amazing food with great staff. Lots of amazing choices and delicious homemade sides. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Plenty of space to sit down and enjoy some BBQ.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Lou and Wendy are always so welcoming and the staff is friendly. Catering offered as well. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy read more

See all

Just go to Sweet Lou's, excellent, smokey, juicy BBQ. Had four ribs and Honey cornbread, great lunch with a Coke. I'll be going back and bring friends. read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - What to look for! - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Bomb spot! Big portions, new in town. Underrated but incredibly delicious. Tried a lot of stuff, Blueberry corn bread, The tender ribs, Mixed plate. Chicken, sausage, baked beans with bacon and macaroni. It was very delicious and had portions to go. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I ate in their nice patio set up[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great service, very friendly family owned bizz. read more

Food is great and reasonably priced. I wasn't even aware it was there until recently. Super happy it's local, good food and staff are very accommodating. Reminds me of local Texas BBQ joints I used to go to when a spent a lot of time working there and they were always the best ones! read more

As we are anxiously awaiting the opening of holy smokes in this area of HB as it is rarity in these parts, I decided to try Sweet Lou's BBQ one balmy afternoon. The location is right in front of the Chuck E Cheese which is now closing for good at the time of this review (sad to see after growing up in these parts). Nonetheless I was excited to try out BBQ. Reading the reviews, my mouth was watering. Pulling up to this quaint 'shack,' there are plenty of parking on the sides and in the back. This location is only open half of the week so check the schedule as they smoke their meats in the morning. I was greeted by two employees who were nice enough to tell me their ordering process. I went at approximately 4 or 5 pm in the afternoon. I don't know whether the timing had an effect on the quality of the meat, as we soon should see. I was told to order on a board with a pen, where you check off the items you want. The menu is pretty much set with no room for customization, i.e., you cannot order brisket à la carte. You have to order from their combo menu. I ordered a beef rib + 1 side (mac salad) that totaled 15 dollars. They gave me ample utensils and 1 BBQ sauce in the bag. They told me that it is good and that I will come back for more. However, when I got home, I was sorely disappointed; the beef rib looked dry and dismal even before cutting into it. After taking the first bite, it set the tone for the rest of the evening, where there was no variation in flavors, at times being burnt on the peripherals. The mac salad was okay. The sauce was good, but the meat was overpriced for what it was. I don't think it was good enough for me to return to this place, sadly. For the amount that I paid and the quality of the meat, I have never been so sad. :( Perhaps I've gotten a meat that was stale due to me ordering later in the day? But that shouldn't be the case, as it is the same price throughout the entire day. read more

Been told about this place for a while. Decided to drive down to check it out. What a wasted trip. Closed for the day due to an event. Would have been nice to know instead of wasting time and gas. How hard is it to post that information on social media!? read more

I've been here 3 times now over the last 2 months. The first 2 trips were good to AWESOME and both visits were on a Saturday. Excellent brisket, pulled pork. Ok pork ribs, but not super tender. Turkey was ok, but I could skip that and it just seems like filler to me. Sausage slightly dry. All was good though. I then made a trip here the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, and let me tell you how different that was. Brisket was inedible and required a steak knife to cut. Sausage was jerky. Pulled pork was borderline tough. So a mixed review from me and I won't be back on a Friday. read more

Amazing food. We catered for a birthday party. Aaron dropped the food off early and we hiked it all the way to downtown La. The food was still warm and fresh. Everyone loved the food. There was so much food. We ordered for 40 and fed 60! Thanks Sweet Lou!! read more

SO. GOOD. Great food, and great service- I'm really impressed! My friend got the combo plate- brisket, pulled pork, turkey and kielbasa - she said it was incredible too! read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Brisket sandwich w/honey cornbread & macaroni salad - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

See all

Yummy food and great prices Everything was so delicious I'll be coming back fersure 10/10 :) read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Kept passing this place for the longest and got the opportunity to eat here yesterday. Walking in, the set up feels very "backyard barbecue" which I loved, complete with good old hospitality. The owner was there, very friendly, and so was the hostess. Me and my bf ordered the 2 place combos, and my daughter decided on pulled pork nachos. The price point is perfect, and the food was amazing! I was so tired from work and wasn't even sure I would have the appetite to eat, I was wrong! The food woke me right up! The sausage was so juicy, turkey was moist and tender, and I dislike pork but I couldn't help myself from finishing that too! I would definitely come back here for some bbq! read more

See all

When this place does it right and the meats are cooked properly to where they are tender this is solid tasty barbecue. The flavors are there. Not to mention the bbq sauce is delicious. The service is friendly and inviting and the price point is spot on. The brisket sandwich was solid. I love they offer the St. Louis ribs ala carte, it's a great deal. The sides need work but the macaroni salad was OK. Based on my experience in three visits so far I just wish they could be more consistent with the cook on the meats read more

Went there for lunch today, had 1/2 pound tips special ($5) and a side of macaroni. The tips were great, the macaroni perfect. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Small patio dining area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]A variety of sodas are in a cooler, had strawberry soda which I haven't had in a long time. No alcohol, but the Bee Hive sports bar down a block allows outside food. Especially for the price, this bbq and sides are outstanding. Highly recommended and will be coming again soon. read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Been wanting to try this place for awhile, I heard about the pop up, and the good reviews. I came to the brick and mortar location and ordered the combo plate, which had a little bit of everything I wanted to try. Beef Brisket...a couple of half pieces, the rest was shredded, no flavor... Pulled pork...good but needed seasoning Smoked turkey...no thanks! Smoked kielbasa...store bought BBQ sauce...tasted like Sweet Baby Rays I can't tell if this is Kansas City or Texas Bbq Service was great though, and very friendly, I will give it one more shot. read more

Sweet Lou's BBQ Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Huntington Beach, California