Heritage Barbecue

"Barbecue is a veritable religion in America, and chefs in this realm have a near cultish way of doing things. With that in mind, consider this SJC bijou, packed to the gills with focused diners and trays of smoky meat.Punctuality is of the essence as everyone is here, early and eager, for Chef/owner Daniel Castillo's food. His creations draw inspiration from central Texas, so when that sweet scent of California white oak gets going, find yourself transported on a riotous journey, starting with slices of glistening brisket—correctly charred and deliciously rich. Add on a side of chili with more brisket along with a cheddar-jalapeño biscuit and never look back again. Don't forget to save room for desserts like banana pudding or pineapple upside down cake." - Michelin Inspector

Overheard at the 2025 James Beard Awards | Eater

"Post-pandemic departures have made finding good people the biggest challenge, though incoming younger workers are showing initiative and offering hope for rebuilding the workforce." - Sam Nelson

The Best Barbecue Restaurants in Los Angeles | Eater LA

"One of the most celebrated barbecue spots in Los Angeles, Heritage, from pitmaster Daniel Castillo, has a true Texas-style barbecue vibe with massive outdoor pits, plentiful outdoor seating, and Austin-style lines of smoked meat-loving fans to boot. Brisket is king here, 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 dish that West Coast palates might prefer. Don’t sleep on the sausages and smoked turkey, either. Castillo recently 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 restaurant scene." - Matthew Kang

LA’s Great Barbecue Boom | Eater LA

"In San Juan Capistrano I found Heritage Barbecue's Central Texas-style ’cue to be impeccably traditionalist fare, viewed through a California lens." - Eater

Here Are Los Angeles’s 2025 James Beard Award Finalists | Eater LA

"Chef Daniel Castillo of this San Juan Capistrano barbecue restaurant was named a finalist in the 2025 James Beard Awards' restaurant and chef categories; finalists were announced on April 2 and winners will be revealed on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The James Beard Awards, often referred to as "the Oscars of food," added three new categories for 2025 — Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service — and have faced recent scrutiny after canceling programming in 2020 and 2021 due to misbehavior and diversity concerns, prompting an internal audit and a shift in the Best Chef category to a regional model." - Rebecca Roland