Heritage BBQ serves up mouthwatering Texas-style barbecue with an inviting vibe and picnic tables, perfect for indulging in generous portions.
"A celebrated Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded barbecue spot in San Juan Capistrano, known for its smoked meats and dedicated following." - Matthew Kang
"One of the most celebrated barbecue spots in Los Angeles, pitmaster Daniel Castillo has a true Texas-style barbecue with massive outdoor pits, plentiful outdoor seating, and Austin-style lines of smoked meat-loving fans to boot. Brisket is king here, just like in Texas, surrounded by a deliciously dark bark on American black Angus beef. Making some concessions to California tastes, Castillo and company smoke up tri-tip for a more approachable cost. The smoked duroc pork ribs come with a maple glaze — another thing that West Coast palates might prefer. Don’t sleep on the sausages and smoked turkey, either. Castillo recently expanded to a beer-and-barbecue spot in Oceanside and also opened an upscale diner called Le Hut Dinette in Santa Ana, solidifying the chef as a bona fide mover-and-shaker in the Orange County/north San Diego County restaurant scene." - Mona Holmes, Matthew Kang
"A popular barbecue spot in San Juan Capistrano, California, run by chef Daniel Castillo." - Rebecca Roland
"When it comes to Texas-style barbecue in California, it doesn’t get more serious than Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. There are two massive, custom-built smokers right outside the restaurant and you’ll usually see a line of ‘cue devotees lined up behind them any day of the week (thankfully the lines move fast). Smoky, exceptionally tender brisket is the star here, but the housemade jalapeño cheddar sausages, pulled pork, and sides like loaded potato salad and creamed corn esquites deserve some shine, too. There’s a large shady patio on site where you can linger over your meal with some beers. If not, just take your food to-go: Heritage runs an impressively efficient drive-up preorder system through their website." - brant cox, garrett snyder
"San Juan Capistrano’s award-winning pitmaster Daniel Castillo takes barbecue to the next level with wood-smoked brisket, sausages, turkeys, ribs, chickens, and more. First-timers load up on the brisket and ribs, while regulars order pork belly banh mi sandwiches, brisket tacos prepared with La Palma tortillas, and creamy banana pudding layered with pound cake and vanilla wafer cookies. Get the charred broccoli with cheesy mornay sauce if its on the menu." - Jenn Tanaka
