So, you just love BBQ. You cannot get enough of slow-cooked tri-tip, smoked brisket, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Nothing makes you happier than the perfect sweet, smoky, spicy, sticky barbecue sauce. And don’t get you started on how great it is to find a little under-the-radar joint that serves unexpectedly-great food. If this sounds anything like you, we have a road trip you are going to love. Spend a full day discovering delicious hole-in-the-wall BBQ restaurants in SoCal.

Google Maps
Your BBQ adventure is a 123-mile loop around the heart of the southland where you will get your fill at four hidden gems. You can use this interactive map as a guide to customize your trip just for you. Ready? Let's eat!
1. Day Day’s BBQ & Waffle House
jason miranda/Google Local
Day Day's BBQ & Waffle House, 994 E Holt Ave, Pomona, CA 91767, USA
Miesha Berry/Google Local
Your BBQ adventure begins with breakfast at Day Day’s BBQ and Waffle House where the combination of classic BBQ and traditional soul food will have your mouth watering.

Try the "James Jr," two Louisiana hot links with potatoes or grits and eggs, or a so-called "Chocolate Feast" that features pork chops. Of course, you can always go with one of the ever-popular fried chicken and waffle combos.
2. Ray’s Texas BBQ
Ray’s Texas Bbq/Google Local
Ray's Texas Bbq, 6038 Santa Fe Ave, Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA
Ray’s Texas Bbq/Google Local
For lunch, you are headed to Ray’s Texas BBQ for a tray of classic dry-rubbed BBQ brisket, a pile of BBQ nachos, or perhaps a little something outside-the-box like a USDA Prime Brisket Burrito stuffed with brisket, Jalapeno cheddar sausage, and macaroni and cheese. Not quite sold? Try one of Ray’s signature Pitmaster sandwiches that are piled so high, you may need a knife and fork to eat one.

Stop at Ray's BBQ with CJ THEHOST for a little taste test of some good 'ol Texas BBQ in Cali:

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Pitstop at the El Dorado Nature Center
El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815, USA
Grant Willis/Google Local
You may want a break and to do some walking before hitting your next stop. Might we recommend making your way to the El Dorado Nature Center? With a visitor center, lots of walking trails, a stream, two lakes, and plenty of greenery to enjoy, this is one of SoCal's prettiest places to take a relaxing hike and work up an appetite.

Let's go for a walk around the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach California in this video with Hey Long Beach:
3. The Smo-King Ribs BBQ
Dao Pham/Google Local
The Smoking Ribs, 14211 Euclid St D, Garden Grove, CA 92843, USA
Ashley Walker/Google Local
It’s time for Happy Hour at The Smo-King Ribs BBQ Restaurant. Order a beer and a starter or two to share, such as Loaded Pulled Pork Fries, tacos, or chicken wings. If you are feeling adventurous, try something unique to The Smo-King Ribs like the Pulled Pork Sundae or Blueberry Corn Muffins. Don’t fill up too much because you have one more stop coming up!
4. Westside Pit BBQ
Optimus Prime/Google Local
Westside Pit Bbq, 519 W Foothill Blvd, Rialto, CA 92376, USA
WestSide Pit BBQ Restaurant/Google Local
The last stop on your BBQ tour is WestSide Pit BBQ Restaurant. Gear up for the fantastic flavors of traditional BBQ pork ribs, beef ribs, hot links, or chicken. Or enjoy a selection of fresh seafood, including red snapper, catfish, and shrimp. Create your ideal BBQ meal with sides like baked beans, hushpuppies, macaroni and cheese, and more. If you are road-tripping with the family, take advantage of one of the Family Combos that feed a small crowd. And please leave room for dessert. House-made peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and the cake of the week all come in a variety of sizes to end your meal, and your road trip, on a perfectly sweet note.

Check out this interesting feature with the owner of Westside Pit BBQ, Darrell Butler by Rialto's Mayor, Deborah Robertson:

California might not be the first place you think about when you are in the mood for Texas-style BBQ but these four places can hold their own. Have you ever spent an entire day eating nothing but BBQ? What do you think about these little BBQ restaurants in Southern California? Do you have a favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant that keeps you coming back for more? We want to hear about it! Meanwhile, check out a few more hidden gem restaurants in SoCal.

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More to Explore

Even more SoCal bbq restaurants

Chris Muras | February 08, 2023

Where can you get Texas-style BBW in SoCal?

A good pulled pork sandwich, brisket, or smoky tangy BBQ can melt in your mouth and make you sing. But in SoCal? There are definitely a few places that can bring the BBQ. Here are a few places where you can get Texas-style BBQ in SoCal:

  • Jav's BBQ, Anaheim, CA: Pull up a chair, grab your bib, and sit down for some of the best BBQ in Anaheim a Java's BBQ. Be sure you get there early though because it has been known to sell out fast.
  • Smoqued California BBQ, Orange, CA: One of the best places to grab BBQ in Orange, CA with outstanding burnt ends (the most seasoned ends of the point half of the brisket). This slow-cooked BBQ with a California influence will have you coming back for more - maybe even on the same day.
  • Dr. Hogly Wogly’s, Panorama City, CA: Since 1969 Hogly Wogly’s has been the go-to place for BBQ in Panorama City. Brisket, ribs, and links with the right kind of bite can be finished off with its famous sweet potato pie all-a-mode.
  • Bludso's Bar & Que, Los Angeles, CA: This smoking hot BBQ joint in LA will have you singing its praise after the first bite. Be sure to try the sampler platter to find your favorite, then come back for more. Hint, the brisket alone is worth a visit.
  • When Pigs Fly, Vista, CA: Okay, bear with us for a moment because this BBQ joint is located in a Chevron gas station! Before you fall over dying of shock, you need to taste its award-winning brisket. After winning the Stagecoach Country Music Festival's "Grand Champion" award, owners Tammy and Dale have not looked back. Come for the brisket but don't skip the trip-tip, pulled pork, wings, and BBQ chicken either.

 

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