Buster's Original Southern BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Calistoga

Buster's Original Southern BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Calistoga

5

1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, CA 94515

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Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by Photo courtesy of Buster's
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by Shaun G./Yelp
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by @TheInfatuation
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by @TheInfatuation
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null
Buster's Original Southern BBQ by null

Highlights

Southern-style smoked meats & homemade pies, live music  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, CA 94515 Get directions

busterssouthernbbq.com
@busterssouthernbbq

$10–20 · Menu

Information

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1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, CA 94515 Get directions

+1 707 942 5605
busterssouthernbbq.com
@busterssouthernbbq

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@infatuation

The 19 Best Restaurants In Calistoga

"This spot is named after a real-life Buster, who’s often seen behind the grill and has been firing up Louisiana-style barbeque in California since the ‘60s. Whether it’s the pulled pork and tri-tip sandwiches with pineapple slaw and baked beans, or the barbeque chicken and homemade sweet potato pie, all the food is good and worthy of a pitstop at some point during your visit. There are some picnic tables and indoor spots, but you should also know that this place attracts some of the best jazz and blues musicians in the Bay Area for jam sessions on the patio every Sunday afternoon." - christina julian

https://www.theinfatuation.com/calistoga/guides/best-restaurants-calistoga
View Postcard for Buster's Original Southern BBQ
@afar

BIPOC-Owned Businesses You Should Visit in Napa Valley - AFAR

"A long-standing Calistoga barbecue spot that has operated in the same location for over two decades, recognizable by a plume of smoke and the scent of char and hickory-sweet sauce; known for down-home fare like a popular tri-tip sandwich, an emphasis on primal, open-air meat preparation, and weekly jazz and blues performances that feature nationally and internationally known musicians." - J’nai Gaither

https://www.afar.com/magazine/bipoc-owned-businesses-you-should-visit-in-napa-valley
View Postcard for Buster's Original Southern BBQ
@infatuation

Buster’s BBQ - Review - Calistoga - Calistoga - The Infatuation

"This spot is named after a real-life Buster, who’s often seen behind the grill and has been firing up Louisiana-style barbeque in California since the ‘60s. Whether it’s the pulled pork and tri-tip sandwiches with pineapple slaw and baked beans, or the barbeque chicken and homemade sweet potato pie, all the food is good and worthy of a pitstop at some point during your visit. There are some picnic tables and indoor spots, but you should also know that this place attracts some of the best jazz and blues musicians in the Bay Area for jam sessions on the patio every Sunday afternoon." - Christina Julian

https://www.theinfatuation.com/calistoga/reviews/busters-bbq
View Postcard for Buster's Original Southern BBQ
@afar

"Sample Sweet Southern Barbecue The Louisiana-style, year-round barbecueat Buster’s is in a league of its own. Main-course options at this no-frills (read: It’s a glorified picnic shelter) Calistoga eatery include shoulder, pork ribs, tri-tip, chicken, pork loin, and pulled pork—all cooked medium rare unless otherwise specified. Most dishes come with sides such asbaked beans, macaroni salad, and cole slaw. All portions are heaping, and every dish comes with signature garlic toast. Dessert options include house-made sweet potato pie and fresh-baked cookies. Because of Buster’s proximity to downtown Calistoga, the restaurant is a great stop after a morning hike on Mount St. Helena. On warm days, try to grab a table outside and watch the 'cue masters work the outdoor grills, and onSundayafternoons, stick around for live blues and jazz on the patio."

The Best Restaurants in Napa Valley
View Postcard for Buster's Original Southern BBQ
@eater

11 Essential North Bay Barbecue Spots | Eater SF

"A veritable barbecue playground replete with home made pie, Busters welcomes visitors to Napa Valley’s Calistoga side, making it a perfect place to beef up before setting out on a long day’s winetasting. With hot sauce so hot that signs everywhere warn of its fiery nature, Busters has been an institution since 1965 and shows no signs of flagging. Rather, like a Mystery House, it keeps expanding. Choose to eat your super hot ‘cue inside the wood-paneled dining room, at one of several shaded outdoor kiosks, or on the new hillside patio where live jazz lives on Sundays and the ubiquitous paper towels announce that your mouth is about to be in for a very good time, indeed. Cash preferred." - Gretchen Giles

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-sonoma-napa-marin
View Postcard for Buster's Original Southern BBQ

John Krajc

Google
Come for the beach, but in my opinion, leave the sauce out. Born and raised in the Carolinas, barbecue is a way of life and a diet staple. Decided I wanted to do something different here with trying to beef ribs as many places don’t serve beef ribs, but just pork ribs. The way they smoke their meat over and open fire elevated out in the open was unique to this place and tasted fantastic. The outdoor seating option was perfect for this beautiful Friday afternoon. For me the sauce was a complete miss however. Has spices in it that remind me of a Mole sauce, which was odd for barbecue. Love that they’re doing their own thing, just wasn’t big for me And not something I’m used to even though I often eat things that are out of the ordinary.

Joseph Beckham

Google
Quick, kind and clean service! Food is served as you order. Didn't take us 5 minutes to get meals for 5. Plenty of seating inside. Napkin stations everywhere, and they were needed! Tri tip sandwich and pulled pork sandwich was delicious. Baked beans and cold slaw great as well. Restroom was also very clean! Zero conplaints!

Steve M

Google
Been wanting to stop here for a long time, finally the wife caved, she's not a BBQ fan. The meat was awesome, I loved the beans too. The chicken wasn't all that great, not bad though. Potato salad was too bland for the wife, so I ate it 😁 they have beer and wine. All and all I enjoyed my time there, it is a little costly for BBQ, but what isn't these days?

Maria Thi Mai

Google
Classic and a Calistoga institution, busters has live music on Saturdays and open mic on Tuesdays. We didn’t partake in the food but enjoyed the music

Eliman Gibba

Google
We drove to Calistoga to try Buster’s BBQ & discovered the place to be really cool and the food is excellent.

Vincent Bunker

Google
Been going to Buster's for years. My favorite is the pulled pork with spicy BBQ. My wife loves the tri-tip sandwich. Be warned, though. The spicy is hot! If you want just a little heat, go with the medium or mild. Don't forget to order a peach smoothie. Made with real peaches and pairs nicely with the spicy pulled pork. You won't find better BBQ in the North Bay

Kris Tavares

Google
I've driven past Buster's for years inhaling the sweet aroma of smoked meats and finally decided to stop. We bought "to go" from the front building. The staff were very friendly and quick, which turned out to be the best thing about our meal. We got one 3 meat combo and one 2 meat combo. The pulled pork was so wet that it tasted boiled rather than smoked; the portion size was very small. The brisket was not flavorful. The chicken was dry. The baked beans were good, potato salad was decent, but portion sizes were tiny. After waiting so long to try this place, my family was exceedingly disappointed.

Brian Preston

Google
We visited Buster's Original Southern BBQ in Calistoga last weekend and were not disappointed. The parking lot had plenty of spots available, the wait in line was very short, about 5 minutes, and the food is outstanding! We had the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw, and the tri-tip sandwich with potato salad. Both selections were served up in less than 5 minutes, and we enjoyed our meal under the shade of the oak trees. The staff here is very friendly and helpful. The grounds are very clean and there are multiple restrooms on site. We will definitely be returning!
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Christopher R.

Yelp
Buster's BBQ is one of my favorite spots for a hearty, flavorful meal. Their tri-tip sandwich is absolutely amazing--tender, smoky, and packed with flavor. It's my go-to order every time I visit! But let me warn you about the hot BBQ sauce--it's really hot. If you're a spice lover, you'll love the kick, but don't underestimate it. It's not for the faint of heart! The casual, laid-back vibe of the place makes it perfect for a relaxed meal, and the food is consistently excellent. If you're a BBQ fan, this is definitely a spot you don't want to miss.
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Cassie T.

Yelp
Busters is the best restaurant in all of calistoga. Best BBQ in the whole county. I recommend everyone stop buy this restaurant. i've been going here for 20 years. I recommend the tri tip sandwich with busters homemade BBQ sauce!! This place needs to be talked about more! 11/10 experience‼ In the summer they play jazz music and have an open mic which is very enjoyable. There is lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Great for family dinners or birthday parties. I love busters!!
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Stan M.

Yelp
Always on the hunt for good barbecue, I tend to order a combo to try different meats. Today, I stayed the course with tri-tip and pork ribs, paired with homemade potato salad and baked beans. The meal also included half a grilled French bread roll, which was soft and delicious. * Sides: The baked beans were flavorful and satisfying, but the potato salad was a bit dry. A touch more mayo would have done the trick. * Barbecue: The ribs weren't fall-off-the-bone but were cooked well, with a noticeable smoky flavor. However, the top part was overdone and crispy, though still edible. Their BBQ sauce isn't on the sweet side but more tangy - I opted for the mild version. The tri-tip was grilled perfectly--tender and juicy--but lacked any smoke flavor or the iconic smoke ring. While it was enjoyable as is, a bit of smoke would have elevated the flavor. That said, it would make a fantastic sandwich with their BBQ sauce. * Service and Atmosphere: Service was quick, and the staff behind the counter were friendly. They offer a covered seating area with 18 tables, providing a nice spot to enjoy the food. Final Thoughts Overall, it's solid barbecue, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to try it.
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Chris S.

Yelp
This reminds me of back home in the mountains of Virginia. This is rustic but good. This order at the counter and take it to go or eat in the rustic table area. If you're looking for fancy and table service go some where else. I got the Tri Tip sandwich and bake beans mild for lunch. It was on a fresh grilled half grilled loaf of bread with h mild BBQ sauce. Great BBQ!!! My partner had the pulled pork with coleslaw. The pulled pork great coleslaw was good as a Sweet Pallet cleanser for the BBQ.
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Deanna C.

Yelp
I am going to apologize in advance to any fans of Buster's BBQ. This place was absolutely horrible. Not even sure if it can qualify as bbq considering everything tasted like it was oven roasted. There were no grill marks on any of our meats and it definately didnt taste like smoke. The garlic bread was the best part of the meal and the can of coke didnt disappoint either. I honestly dont see how people can continue to eat at this establishment. I am going to chalk it up to tourists keeping this place alive. Waste of money, life and stomach space. P.S. the sides sucked too.
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Shamara B.

Yelp
Cool little bbq spot. The food was cool. I wouldn't say it was all that bbq but it was good not nasty except for the potato salad. I didn't like that. Customer service was cool.
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Matt C.

Yelp
Portion sizes!! The cole slaw was really good and paired well with the pulled pork! Dont need to order extra garlic toast because the dishes come with two large pieces already.
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Cassandra C.

Yelp
Macaroni salad was very good. Scenery felt like summer camp and in the chow hall. Musical stage was adorable and I would love to get a tune going. The amount of pork ribs served was good. Not dry especially with the bbq sauce which could have used some sugar. I got to sample the meat before ordering which was very nice. The server was kind and the place was clean. Open mic took forever as many had multiple songs. It was cute for a small town on a Tuesday night. They were like a family of musicians jamming out.
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Amy S.

Yelp
My husband had the tri tip sandwich with cole slaw with the spicy sauce. He said it was really good and definitely spicy. I had the pulled pork sandwich with the mild sauce and beans. Yummy. Great bang for the buck. Filling for afternoon wine tasting!
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Emily F.

Yelp
Came for an early dinner. It was not busy and ordered right away. Food was also ready very quickly. We sat outside and fine but lots of flies. We didn't go inside but there was seating. We got tri tip and pork rib plates. Tri tip was delicious and enjoyed the sauce. The pork ribs were good but a bit more tough and gristle. Baked beans were tasty and could get mild or hot. Potato salad and Cole slaw were good as well. Sweet potato pie was eh and wouldn't get it again.
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Colby S.

Yelp
Pretty good roadside barbecue. Lots of food for the money. There was a line when we got there, typical walk up and order drive in type. There's a separate building for eating in. No beverage or self serve water which was a little bit of a bummer. The bathroom is also a separate building and it was clean. Great place to stop if you want a larger amount of food for not a lot of dough, don't expect culinary perfection.
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Ruth S.

Yelp
09/15/24 Sunday. After our first wine tasting at Sterling Vineyard...my family and I were craving for some protein. This place is all about the BBQ. Choose your BBQ combo item and your sides. Service is really quick. My sis and I shared a 3 bbq combo of pulled pork, tri tip , and beef ribs (2 pcs) and 2 sides of potato salad and Cole slaw. Also it comes with toasted bread . It was good but the tri tip was a little dry. Will we come back. Most definitely. It satisfied our hunger. There our benches outside or you can go inside to eat. Place is pretty clean. Happy eats!!

Michelle S.

Yelp
I wish I had a better review. I've tried this place about 5 times over the years, giving it a another try after visiting. The ribs tasted old, like it was from days ago. The Tri Tip was good. The beans, not so much. Great location. I don't know how they are able to survive.... I wish they would take another look at the quality and the process of how they smoke. Wish it was better....
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Betty B.

Yelp
Even better than I remember! When we were driving by to go hiking I couldn't resist the smell. We got the 3 meats combo with the 2 sides and a Busters lemonade. If there weren't so many people around I probably would've licked my plate clean. Indoor and outdoor seating with a view of the meats cooking . And don't get me started on the BBQ sauce.
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Sid D.

Yelp
Great BBQ place! We were on our way to Santa Rosa airport and this place was packed and super lively. We got combo of pork ribs, beef ribs, and tri-tip. All meats were absolutely delicious. They were smoked to its right temperature and all meats were juicy. We tried their spicy bbq sauce land that was really spicy. Just FYI. Overall great place to have beers and bbq - You won't go wrong!
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Brittany H.

Yelp
We didn't get much but for the little we got, it was good. The mild sausage was tasty. The bread is addictive. I expected it to come on hot dog style roll but the garlic bread wasn't bad. The ribs were really good. I also loved the customer service. They pretty much told us we could get as little or as much as we liked.
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Krajicek K.

Yelp
More like 3.75 stars. Highly recommended: beef ribs, tri-tip, and pulled pork. We had the tri-tip dinner and the bought another 1/2 order to-go. All 3 mentioned above were very tender. Don't care much about the sides which were small. Maybe because we went 1 hour before closing, the chicken and pork rib were dried. Be aware: The hot bbq sauce was really hot! The 2 ladies serving the food were nice and friendly.
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Shaylene M.

Yelp
Good tri-tip sandwich got the 3 bean salad loved the mild bbq we did a hike before so this was great after that would come again
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Sapphire D.

Yelp
I love Busters! It's arguably the best barbecue in the Napa Valley, so I always stop by whenever I find myself up valley. The food is delicious. The only thing that could make this place any better is if they added Mac n cheese to their menu. I really wish lol I stopped in yesterday and placed a large order and was disappointed to see I was missing some food when I got home, however everything I did receive was excellent. I'll definitely be back, though I'll be more careful to make certain I've received everything I've ordered before I leave next time. Busters, y'all owe me some cornbread !!
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David C.

Yelp
Oct 2023 We needed a quick meal prior to wine tasting and this was conveniently nearby. Menus were posted on the outside in multiple places as well as paper ones you can grab as well. Service was quick and helpful with any questions that we had. Everything was set up to grab and go with the line going from order to pay with your food collected at the register. My partner had gotten the chicken sandwich. I ordered some cornbread, mac salad, and some garlic toast. The sauce you get with the sandwich worked pretty well, but the chicken itself tasted plain. The mac salad was pretty good and muffin was warm with a good sweet flavor. Nothing to write home about though. Good for what we needed in a pinch.
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Steve M.

Yelp
First timers to Buster's. So We came for a late lunch on Saturday and immediately noticed a lot of customers making their way to Buster's so that was encouraging. The atmosphere is picnic tables outside and tables inside. Pretty much find a spot and eat . From the start menu is easy to read and has all your classic BBQ items. I ordered the 4 piece pork rib dinner which comes with buttered bread and 2 sides I chose 3 bean salad and baked beans. My wife ordered a Combo plate with Tri-tip, Chicken and hot links. Chili beans and Cole slaw. You have an option of spicy or regular BBQ sauce we both chose spicy. Ribs were fall off the bone good. Tri-tip was tender and perfect. Chicken was a bit dry but nothing a little BBQ sauce couldn't cure. Hot links were "Hot links". I didn't prefer the BBQ sauce wish I got the regular. But everyone is picky about their BBQ sauce. The sides were ok. Cole slaw 4 stars (sweet) not mayonnaise's. Baked beans 3 Chili beans 3 Three bean salad 5 Service was fast and efficient!!!!!. I gave busters 4 stars not 5 because in my opinion it's not BBQ you're gonna write home about. But it's very solid for sure. And I recommend you give them a try you're not going to be disappointed...
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Kim B.

Yelp
They had me at Bar-b-que. You order from the counter window and get your food right away. We seemed to beat the crowd. We sat at a table in the patio. The area was clean and there were towel rolls on the tables. I had the 3 beef rib plate. There was lots of meat on the bones. They were a little salty for my taste but I enjoyed them. I got the Coleslaw and 3 bean salad as sides. The slaw was crunchy. The 3 bean salad was good and I thought it had horseradish in the dressing. My husband had the 2 meat plate. I didn't get to sample it as he ate it all. Overall a good meal.
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Matthew W.

Yelp
Tritip sandwich, regular sauce, coleslaw. I couldn't have had a better dinner after a long three days in Calistoga. I will be back with more people.
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Russell O.

Yelp
Been here a few times and each visit we would get less and less food. The portions are way smaller I looked at pictures from our first visit from 2022 and easily got twice the meat compared to todays visit- I wanted to ask for my tip back

Shawn K.

Yelp
Busters BBQ in Calistoga, Ca. Nov 2024 * couples We bought there beef bbq ribs. Worst ribs I have ever had in my life ! Very little meat, tough to try to eat. Mostly bones ! So, very disappointing ! The mild sauce was so sour that I had to add honey to it to make it bareable to eat ! The cold slaw was so sickenly sweet like they added so much sugar ! I could not even try to eat it ! The baked beens were just ok, nothing to brag about ! The garlic bread was soggy and not tasty at all ! We paid $51.00 over priced most awful dinner we ever had. DON'T WAISE YOUR MONEY ON IT !!
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Nicole B.

Yelp
My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday weekend for takeout after lunch at another restaurant in nearby Rutherford. We were both greeted by Buster himself, who Welcomed us and recommended the tri tip sandwich and staying for the Sunday afternoon jazz concert. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the show, but I definitely plan to come back for a visit to listen to some live music. On to the food. Definitely try the tri tip sandwich or meal. Listen to their warnings about the spicy BBQ sauce - it is HOT! Meat is smoky, tender, and delicious . The sides that I have tried are the macaroni salad, Cole slaw , & bbq beans, all of which are good. Small servings in a pre packed container. Today, we also tried their peanut butter cookie and a mocha, which were delicious and appreciated on a chilly day. In the future, I want to try one of their fruit pies, which looked pretty good. The indoor seating is appreciated as it is nice and warm inside. During the warmer months, you can sit outside on the patio. I am happy to see & support an African American business, especially in the Napa Valley!

Chris S.

Yelp
This is our go to place. Love this spot, since I found it 25 years ago while working up in the area. Absolutely fantastic, love the workers and the atmosphere. ... Hands down top 3 all time places to eat, period. It's next level food heaven
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Ramona G.

Yelp
Wow it must have been 15+ years ago since I last went to Buster's BBQ! I used to go here with my parents when I was younger. Since my sister and I were too young then to do wine tastings in the Napa Valley, our family would just go for the drive and get a bite to eat at Buster's. Our family recently came back for my sister's birthday weekend. My sister and I shared a plate of the pulled pork which came with cornbread, baked beans and macaroni salad. The portion was enough to get us both full. The food is pretty tasty. Buster's is kind of an outdoors restaurant, they do have a dining area that has a roof, but it's definitely more of a casual place. Good stop for a lunch when you're in wine country.
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Danielle S.

Yelp
1st time got the tri tip sandwich with spicy sauce and I thought the bbq really had no flavor and the sauce was just ok. I find it kind of rude that when I asked for a bag to put my to go box in the lady told me it was 50 cents like really after I just don't $25 you couldn't give me a bag. Probably would not come back there are plenty of good bbq spots.
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Melinda K.

Yelp
Haven't been here in a while. Food was fabulous & fresh! We had chicken, tritip and pork-all good! We had a few sides and they were all good also. Service was good. They have a system down and good hometown type of atmosphere. Overall it was a great lunch!

Margo L.

Yelp
My husband was on a group Harley ride where they all stopped at Busters for lunch. I asked him to bring me back some pork ribs for dinner. He came home with a box that had six ribs, some potato salad, barbecue sauce, beans and bread. The ribs looked like they were a few days old, meat was stringy and unchewable. The beans were okay, potato salad was too mayonaisy and the bread was limp and tasteless. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and ended up throwing the whole thing in the garbage.
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Pamela L.

Yelp
It's a food truck that sells dry rub BBQ. It has a small parking lot and one porta potty. Our wait was half an hour in light rain and we had to park a block away. The ribs are cooked where the meat falls off the bone. The meats are well seasoned and portions are ample. They give a generous amount of BBQ sauce with your order. Their sides are so so. Nothing special. You can also purchase additional BBQ sauce.
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Mark F.

Yelp
We were looking to stop somewhere between winery visits and came across this place which lures you in with the wood smoke. Very good bbq, the pulled pork and tri tip are divine. The ribs were good, not great. Overall a delicious place to quench your desire for bbq.
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Ben B.

Yelp
The beef ribs were pretty sad and 2 beef ribs on a 2 meat plate for $30 something bucks definitely lacks value. The tri-tip was soft but nothing to write home about. The sides... The chilli is not chilli it's just beans and the corn bread is just pre baked jiffy corn bread mix. Three 2 meat plates and 2 cans of coke for $101 hell no never again !
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Rich L.

Yelp
Disappointed. - June 2024 - 3 rib dinner: 1 star Beans: 4 stars Potato salad: 2 stars Bread: 4 stars Lemonade: 4 stars Ribs were some of the worst I've ever eaten or have been served. Dry, grisly, overcooked. Potato salad had undercooked, hard potatoes. Flavor was on bland side. Everything else was ok/acceptable. It's just too bad.
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Danielle M.

Yelp
I choose this place because my husband loves BBQ and we were celebrating his bday this weekend. The restaurant/cooking area looks like an old burger stand that you walk up and grab to go, but an additional seating area appears to have been added at a later time right in front of it. I ordered the half chicken dinner with double baked beans as side and it came with "garlic bread" I requested the mild sauce as I was sharing with my almost 2 yr old. I could barely taste the sauce, the beans were good, but the garlic bread was just a buttered French roll. Let me just say BBQ is never my go to and this place reinforced why. The side were slim that's why I choose double beans and barely adding sauce when it's suppose to be the staple is insane. My husband choose the two meat dinner, try-tip, hot links and double beans w/"garlic bread" He had to go buy a side of sauce because his food was so dry and cold. That extra sauce made the hot links taste a little better. His overall opinion was that it wasn't bad and if he's passing through here in the future he may stop again. I truly believe if he didn't get that extra sauce his overall opinion would be vastly different. Honestly, I choose this place because I thought it was black owned and operated. It in fact is not, Buster is still the face but he nor his family (I believe) operate it. But the family operating it was polite, quick and efficient. The place appeared to be consistently busy and that alone is a testament to what the locals think of this place
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Elizor D.

Yelp
We come to eat at this place from Southern California once a year when we visit at Santa Rosa, we really like this place and love the food there. The prices are definitely reasonable and the atmosphere is pretty fun. I don't care to pay more for good quality food and I definitely will be back there with my family. Really appreciate your business. Keep up with your good work.
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Terri G.

Yelp
Food was exactly what we needed it to be. Good, quick, and reasonable! Servers was nice, and the dining area was clean. And so was the restroom, actually!
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Jim S.

Yelp
Pros -good portions -not a long wait -communicative -reasonable prices -great southern tasting barbecue -chill atmosphere Cons -limited parking

Thomas H.

Yelp
I ordered the tri tip with a side of beans and coleslaw. The small portion of meat was tender but cooked well done and covered with bbq sauce. I haven't eaten or been served tri tip with bbq sauce before. Brisket, yes, tri tip, no. The beans were average and again small portion. The coleslaw was served in a small paper cup and watery. There was a piece of buttered bread too. The place was busy with what appeared to be people from the area on their lunch break. I would say the food was average. Good enough to eat but not good enough to return for a second meal.
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Annie L.

Yelp
I dare say this is one of the best BBQ spots in Sonoma County! I smell the BBQ driving by and saw the huge cloud of smoke! It seemed like the perfect day to have some BBQ! I got their 2 combo meat plate: Tri Tip and chicken breast. It comes with garlic bread and 2 sides. I got the corn bread and Macaroni salad. I couldn't decide between dipping sauces so I got mild and spicy. Mild sauce hit the spot! Meats are all lean, no fat just the way I like it. Garlic bread was soft. Corn bread muffin was bomb! The sides could be a little bigger! It was the same size as the dipping sauces :( That's the only thing I would change. So glad I tried Buster's and it is one of my fav places now :)
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Marlee B.

Yelp
BBQ sounded delicious for dinner while staying at the adorable Embrace Calistoga, a quick walk from Busters. It's a very casual restaurant, ordering at a counter. The combo plate had plenty for 2 people. Part of our order didn't make it into our bag, we were there at closing which seemed to be taking precedence. Still, I would recommend this place for a fast and not fancy lunch or dinner.
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Michelle R.

Yelp
This place just made me happy! My husband and I shared the bbq oysters and a mixed bbq plate with pulled pork and beef ribs. The food was really good, however the ambiance/rustic feel was really cool. There were motorcycle riders all around and we shared a table with a friendly couple of guys as if we were old friends. My favorite thing was the warm smile on the face of the chef! I assume he is the owner. I just felt at home!
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Yvonne R.

Yelp
I would give Busters a 5, but the lady that's walks around to clear the table put her hand around my freshly opened bottle of Blanc De Blancs. I would suggest she ask people if they are finished before she start touching people bottles. Her hands are probably dirty from throwing away other things. As you can tell, I'm a bit upset about that.
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Wayne B.

Yelp
Still my favorite barbecue in California. I had the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans today. Excellent as always. Friendly service and the air-conditioned dining area is comfortable and clean. I'll certainly be back.
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Dana B.

Yelp
Best BBQ in Napa county. We got the big plate and ate everything. Comes with 3 meats and 2 sides I think
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Lunch time on the way north out of Napa, I stopped at Buster's and was fortunate to snag one of the last "easy" parking spaces. After figuring out the queue system while being tempted by the smell of barbecuing meat, I ordered a pulled pork dinner. After shuffling down to the next window to pick it up, we took it to one of the inside dining areas. The building is screened in, which definitely helps with the insect population. Basic benches and free water refills. The pork was meh. Moist but that's because it was in the container and topped with "spicy" sauce. It didn't really add much to the flavor or the texture. The cole slaw was crisp and I think made here. The garlic bread was doughy and really didn't add to the meal. [Review 17610 overall - 402 in California - 1129 of 2022.]
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Mitch R.

Yelp
Great food & the sauce is to die for. We are fortunate as San Juan Capistrano residents to visit family in Saint Helena. Great staff and quaint location in Calistoga, California.
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Libni T.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING. Best southern BBQ food in the area. Their lemonade and Arnold Palmer is really good tooIt has great seating. Service is great as well. If you're looking for some good southern BBQ definitely come here!!