2 Best Restaurants in The Bay Area, California

It's hard to keep track of how many awards pitmaster Matt Horn has won at this point. After roving around the Bay Area for years as a pop-up with his smoker "Lucille," Horn set up shop permanently in West Oakland, then was forced to move to Downtown Oakland because of a fire in 2023. Wherever he goes, long lines of fans follow. And for good reason—this is undoubtedly some of the greatest Texas-inspired barbecue on the West Coast. Of course, brisket is the signature here, but almost everyone tries multiple kinds of meats and sides. Make sure to come early and preferably on a weekday.

The Peninsula’s leading barbecue has only been grilling and smoking at its El Granada home since 2020, but it’s already a favorite choice for Bay Area residents looking for an excellent hearty lunch on a coastal road trip day. All of the beef and pork is of very high quality and the sausage links are made in-house. Weekends often have intriguing specials like chicken legs and cider and herb-brined turkey breast. Unlike many fellow barbecue destinations, the menu goes well beyond the normal fare with local cod tacos, fresh salads, and a burger made of house-ground brisket.