Joplin's

My husband and I came in right when Joplin’s opened, and instantly fell in love with the gothic rock-and-roll vibe. It’s such a true reflection of the owners—cool, welcoming, and absolutely full of personality. This is the kind of place where you instantly feel safe and included, where all people are welcome (yes, even the pop lovers). Now, the burger… yes. It’s so good I genuinely considered ordering a second while I was still eating the first. They know how brisket should be made, they know their sides, and they clearly know what they’re doing in the kitchen. Ojai is lucky to have these two dedicated hospitality talents. They’re bringing a much-needed edge to the community, and you can feel how much heart they’re pouring into creating something special for everyone to enjoy. Highly recommend.

The food was divine and made to perfection - shoutout to Chef Saw! Brittany was so nice and very funny - that lady has got some jokes up her sleeve. Music was banging and the projector was a nice touch! Loved seeing all the pictures and records on the walls. Joplin's is the place to go for tasty BBQ!

Concerned...showed up in Ojai at noon on a busy Saturday. Entered Joplin's to find it empty??? The waitress was very nice and I placed my order for their 14 hour smoked brisket, some corn bread, and some potato salad. Very dark inside by the booths with fairly loud classic rock playing. Fine as I am a fan, but would have been an issue if I was trying to have a conversation. I think a blues vibe would have been better. JMO. Ok, so I know good BBQ (been to all the top spots in Austin,TX and other similar areas). So I was excited to hopefully find some great locally smoked brisket; the meat was tender, juicy, good smoke, but way too salty for my taste. Probably the bark. An easy adjustment that should be investigated. I did not care for their potato salad. Too much going on here. The highlight was their cornbread. Loved it! I honestly think the prices were the culprit causing the empty house. Maybe if we're talking Franklin's or Terry Blacks... I'll give the ribs a try next time.

Hidden in plain sight in Ojai like a well-kept secret shared only between vinyl freaks and carnivorous mystics, Joplin’s BBQ hits like a blues riff in the middle of a séance. You don’t just walk in—you slide in, through the sound of Janis Joplin howling from the speakers and the warm hum of a Guinness draft poured by someone who knows damn well what they’re doing. This place doesn’t pretend. It lives. The walls? A shrine. Photos of rock ’n’ roll icons stare down at you with the cool detachment of legends who’ve seen some things. Janice. Hendrix. Joan. Keith. You’re not eating in a BBQ joint—you’re dining in the Church of Feedback and Char. And the bathrooms? Let’s just say you’ve never seen anything like them. Part art installation, part fever dream. More soul in those stalls than most cities put in their downtowns. And the smash burger? A full-blown epiphany between two buns. Seared edges that crackle like vinyl static, flavor tuned to some primal frequency you forgot existed. Nothing overdone, nothing predictable—just beef, fire, alchemy. It didn’t taste like any smash burger I’ve had, and I’ve eaten enough to be on a watchlist. The staff? Like roadies who’ve retired into hospitality—chill, sharp, and dialed into the vibe. No fake script, no chain-store grins. Just humans doing it right, with rock in their veins and smoke in the air. Joplin’s is a mood, a memory, and a meal all wrapped in one. You come for the burger, you stay for the music, and you leave wondering if you dreamed the whole thing.

Payed a visit to this new gem because the great BBQ hunt continues. Stopped in for lunch Sunday afternoon and from the moment i stepped out of the car I could smell the intoxicating aroma and hear the incredible playlist. For those complaining about the music you would probably do better eating in your car at the crystal gallery down the street. Was greeted by the friendly staff and they walked us through the menu highlighting some of their proud favorites. My wife and I brought our appetite and we settled on a bevy of meats and sides. The sausage link had the best snap, the brisket was unctous, the ribs were delicate. Both bbq sauces changed the flavor profile of each bite allowing us to enjoy our meal in different and incredible ways. The sides…I can probably write a whole chapter on just how fabulous the sides were. I’m sorry if folks expect smoked beans out of a can or your mema’s yellow mustard potato salad, but these sides HIT! The potato salad was giving me samosa. The slaw was bright and acidic. The kimchi crushed your typical bread and butter pickle. Even though we were stuffed, we couldn’t step away without trying what the server touted as “the best milkshake”. It’s called the Thunderstruck and my wife and I polished this bad boy so quickly I think I swallowed the straw. The Namari (a complex N/A Amari) brought the wow factor in this decadent dessert. Please please please get this milkshake because she may have been write. This isn’t Lucille’s, this isn’t Texas, this isn’t what you expect from BBQ joints. This is just delicious food that feels like a love letter to smoke, meat, and punk rock.

This was my first visit to Ojai, and I was fortunate to eat at Joplin’s! The Giant Beef Rib was in fact giant, and very delicious. I’m a big eater but I couldn’t finish the plate in one sitting haha. I tried three different bbq sauces, and three different hot sauces. I loved the mustard bbq sauce, and the jalapeño hot sauce. The corn bread was phenomenal, unlike any corn bread I’ve had. The air conditioning inside the restaurant was cold, the restaurant is super clean, plenty of off-street parking in the back, the music was great. Perfect bbq restaurant in Ojai

Definitely coming back! The sides were insanely delicious. My wife and I got 1/2 lb ribs and 1/2 lb brisket with a side of cornbread (still dreaming about it), brisket beans 🤤, fries (super crispy), garlic slaw (obsessed), and collard greens. The dipping sauces were amazing! The cherry on top was being greeted and served by Brittany. She made us feel right at home and was a joy to interact with. Can’t wait to return! UPDATE: we returned, and while it was still a pleasure to be there with super friendly staff and fun ambience, the food tasted very different. The cornbread tasted like a totally different recipe, and slaw was still great but not the same, and the ribs were a bit dry. Might try a 3rd time (maybe) to see if it was just an off day (?).

My hubby and I were passing through Ojai for the day and so glad we chose Joplin's for lunch. The food was delicious, special accolades to the sides- the cornbread may be the best I've ever had and the cole slaw was next level refreshing and flavorful. Brittany sat and served us and she was wonderful. Lovely service and atmosphere. EDIT: We enjoyed Joplins so much the first time, we returned a couple weeks later. Sadly we had a completely different experience. I ordered the same thing as before, however, it tasted unfamiliar. The cornbread I'd been raving about seemed like a different recipe- it was downright bad. Burnt, covered in a dry herb that was overwhelming and unpleasant, and smothered in honey making it sickly sweet yet overly savory at the same time. The garlic coleslaw which was so special the first time tasted like basic coleslaw. The ribs were dry and uneventful. My husband ordered the smash burger. It tasted like a basic backyard bbq burger, heavy on the mustard. Our new waitress was nice but service was slow, atmosphere was still great. Because of the degree of inconsistency I've removed one star. First time food was a 5, second time maybe a 3.

This spot is a BBQ lover's dream! It's counter service, which I actually loved, you pay upfront, dig in, and when you're absolutely filled to the brim with BBQ, you can just box up what's left and roll out. We started with the tallow fries, and wow crispy, golden delicious perfection. But the real star of the show was the pulled pork. It was so tender and flavorful it didn't even need sauce. And the giant beef rib was Juicy, smoky, and massive enough to feed two people easily. If you're looking for incredible BBQ this place is a must. I'll definitely be back.

Joplin's is a new barbecue spot in Ojai, opened by the husband-and-wife team behind the Dutchess. It's a casual spot, with cashier service and self-seating, in either the dark, comfortable dining room or the nice patio, set up with picnic tables. There's a rock and roll theme to the decor, music, and general vibe. It feels like it was made by and for millennials (this is a positive, in my book), but the food should satisfy anyone. My husband and I spent a weekend in Ojai last month and Joplin's was our first stop, at 12:30 on a balmy September Saturday. We knew it was a new place from established local restaurateurs, and worried it might be crowded. We were pleasantly surprised when we found a parking spot in an ample lot. We walked past a guy operating a giant smoker, then waltzed inside behind the one other person in line for the cashier. Service was fast and friendly, and we had our choice of tables on the patio. The place got busier while we ate--it seems like a popular lunch destination for dads and sons, hungry after morning sports--but it always felt relaxed, with music I listened to in college playing at a reasonable volume. We enjoyed cold cans of Ojai Valley Brewery's refreshing Pixie white wheat ale. The food was outstanding, probably the best barbecue I've had in a very long time. We shared an order of spare ribs and a half pound of brisket, plus sides of corn ribs and mac and cheese. The meats were mouthwateringly delicious, rubbed with a house spice blend and smoked for four to fourteen hours. The ribs were hearty and juicy, glazed with a beautiful sauce with a fruity tang. The brisket was flavorful and meltingly tender. I loved both with the house pickles, a nice medley of jalapeño, onion, and celery. The Joplin's sauces were lovely too, both the Carolina gold and the tamarind barbecue. There were also three great house hot sauces, made with Fresno, habanero, and jalapeño chilies--red, yellow, and green, like a stoplight. Both sides were excellent, but I was particularly taken with the corn ribs, which were cute and fun to eat. The grilled corn was bright and sweet, served in little riblets with a side of aioli. The mac and cheese was rich and cheesy, baked bubbling hot with a crisp of bread crumbs. This was my first visit to Ojai since childhood, but my second is in a couple weeks, and I'm guessing I'll be back much more often going forward. I'm positive we'll be back to Joplin's almost any time we're in town. It's a stellar barbecue joint, perfect for an easy, meaty lunch.

Quite literally the best tri tip sandwich I've ever had. People say "melt in your mouth" and I thought I'd had that experience before... until now. The tri tip... bathed in my mouth? Dissolved? Became one with? I don't know if there's a better verb but the point is, it rocked. Cole slaw also achieved "best ever" honors from the taste buds of my wife. And I agree it's up there. The cabbage is super fresh and crisp, and though initially I was worried it was over dressed, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it complimented the dish. The pulled pork was excellent, the corn bread delectable. Honestly we didn't have a miss this night. Oh the mac and cheese with brisket was also top notch. The mac was actually somewhat firm which I love, usually it's just mush relying on the breadcrumbs for bite. But not here. I haven't read the other reviews so I don't know what the complaints are but there are none from us. Service was super fast. Will be back!

Mouthwatering food, amazing service, and great music! Totally worth the drive from LA!

The food was divine and made to perfection - shoutout to Chef Saw! Brittany was so nice and very funny - that lady has got some jokes up her sleeve. Music was banging and the projector was a nice touch! Loved seeing all the pictures and records on the walls. Joplin's is the place to go for tasty BBQ!

best burgers!!!coolest bathrooms in cali!!!! awesome music great vibes!! love this place!!

The restaurant is very simple, but cozy and clean. We got a sampler platter so we could try a little of everything. It was more than enough for 3 adults. Everyone loved it. Especially the brisket! We also enjoyed one of their famous shakes. They are a little pricey but worth it. Joplins is a great addition to Ojai. Looking forward to going back soon.

Incredible food. Had the brisket sando today, it was so delicious. Had an incredible smash burger there before also. Really excited to try out the rest of the menu

I went to Joplins's when I was in Ojai last week. My friend and I really had a delicious meal there. I had the ribs and loved them. My friend had the Brisket. We also got a side of Mac and Cheese. I would recommend Joplin's to anyone wanting BBQ. Loved that they played classic rock and roll music at the restaurant. The staff was very nice.

Best. Burger. Ever. Joplin's brisket burger is pure flavor perfection--no condiments, just house-made pickles and expertly smoked brisket turned into a smoked burger. I've eaten burgers from NYC to Texas to all over the USA, and nothing comes close. Worth $30, but somehow not priced that way. 5 stars, no hesitation!

Came in for opening night- it was FANTASTIC. We will be going back again soon to try the rest of the menu! Reservations (RESY) Recommended! We sat in a booth in the smallish inside dining room, which was nice, but look forward to trying the patio as well! Tonight we did the Korn Ribs, Joplin's Burger, The Salmon, Cardamom Glazed Carrots, Collards, and Baked Mac n Cheese. The flavors are unexpected and off the charts. It's not just a good burger. It's a burger that you bite into and start asking yourself, "What is that wonderful flavor going on there..." (think I would've appreciated the bun toasted, but that's me); the Carrots were a flavor-bomb revelation; the Salmon was House-cured and then broiled to perfection, the corn was spicy salty savory and delicious. The standout hit was the baked mac & cheese, sprinkled with perfect crispy breadcrumbs, it was the creamiest, tastiest, most comforting homemade Mac I've had in forever. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, the whole staff seemed really nice and were having a great time. Music overhead was classic hard rock which was a really fun vibe (Bowie, AC/DC, Janis, Korn, Ace Frehley, Zep). Bathrooms are decorated to the teeth with classic band bills, flyers and posters. Welcome to Ojai, Joplin's!

We wanted to try something in Ojai we had never been to before. We always go to the same places. We saw little signs with arrows leading to this place. Menu is very small which tells you how fresh it is. Caesar was crisp and made right! Cornbread was moist, dense and just vaguely sweet. Brisket was unhinged. The pulled pork is a little dry/crumbly. Maybe hold it at temperature in a broth and tamarind sauce (their signature bbq sauce) bath. Servers were professional and friendly. Excellent

Came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Food was good, nice to sit outside. I'm certain the staff took my sunglasses though, which is wildly annoying. I set them down when I ordered then they disappeared.

We were looking forward to trying Joplins. Cool vibe and very nice people running the place. 1 smash burger. 1 brisket burger. 1 beer. 1 coke. 1 coleslaw. $70 including tip. $70 takes the fun out of the whole experience. We won't be going back.

Loved this quaint, eclectic spot. The put a twist on their menu items that weren't the norm but were incredibly good. Brittany was fabulous and we chatted with her a bit. It was my partner's birthday and she treated us special! A must go and check them out kinda place. :

I decided to try this place because of all the hype. Service was good and the ambience was ok, but the food was very underwhelming. The "brisket" burger isn't actually brisket--it's just brisket-flavored, which should really be clarified on the menu. For almost $20, the portion was tiny and it didn't even come with fries(they don't have) only plain lays-like potato chips. I left hungry after spending close to $50 for two items. They also add a 4% fee for healthcare, which I don't mind, but it would be better if it were disclosed clearly the way other restaurants in town do. Overall, not worth the price.

Four of us went in for dinner and ordered different items Service was good, smash burger was very small, greasy and overpriced for what was presented. The ground brisket burger was not a hit either. Too bad because we need a good BBQ place in town. Dinner for two was $120 w tip on pic nic tables outside. Our friends were underwhelmed as well.....

So you order before you get sat. Menu is pretty straight forward. We ordered the brisket ribs and pulled pork. For sides we ordered Mac n cheese collard greens and baked beans. Thy have multiple sauce/dip options. Everything was AMAZINGLY GOOD! The service was wonderful and the vibe was very cool. We were sat out doors they had music just at the right volume playing the best rock hits. Will definitely be visiting again in the future.

I don't usually write reviews, but I have to for Joplin's. We've eaten here three times now, and somehow it just keeps getting better! We've tried the Joplins burger (crazy good) , mushroom burger (super tasty if you're a vegan), and the brisket burger (outta this world good)--and the ribs are packed with so much flavor and fall off the bone. The cornbread is "Slap-yo-mama good," as we say in the South. And the baked beans could seriously be a meal by themselves. The vibe is super fun, and the music makes it even better. Brittney, one of the owners, is so welcoming and kind--it really feels like they care. (Which is so refreshing nowadays.) I'm an Ojai local, and honestly, the prices feel right for the quality of food you're getting. These dishes aren't simply thrown together- they're real recipes and have clearly been perfected by well trained chefs.

We went opening week and the food, service and vibe were outstanding! Extremely high quality product: the pork chop and burger were exceptional. We met some of the team: Brittany and Cargo couldn't have been nicer. The place has a classic Hollywood Rock & Roll theme while cranking great rock and punk music. They're still waiting for their smoker BBQ to get permitted, so there's no BBQ items available yet. Highly recommend!

Love this place! Love Brittney especially but, Saw is the man as well. Together they are golden!! A MUST visit!!

Good Texas BBQ option in Ventura County. We don't have that many here. Enjoyed our first visit and will come back to try more things. So far 5/5 for friendly service and food.

A little hidden gem thank goodness for signs. We stumbled into this place by accident, but it was a great place. The food was delicious, the drinks were good the service and ambiance good and the owner really great! If you find yourself in Ojai stop by and grab some good eats and see some cool memorabilia.

Joplin's was not just a great place to eat, it was an experience you need to have. Chef Saw and Brittany have hit a homerun! The burgers to the shakes, even the Corn Ribs! Just Amazing! The Vibe, Music, Food, Beer. They even got you covered if your not into alcohol. What a great place to eat. I'm still dreaming of the burger I ate!

Harmony was wonderful. The food: Brisket bowl fab. Pork bowl: overcooked pork. Fried chicken: dry, overcooked. You'll have to do better or you won't make it. Hopefully for you guys!

My husband and I eat at Joplin's in Ojai at least twice a week--and honestly, I'm not even a little embarrassed about it. The food is just that good. Everything is made from scratch, and you can really taste the difference. There's so much care and intention behind each dish, and it shows. One time, the chef, Saw, took the time to tell us how the Brisket Burger is made--turns out it takes hours and a whole process just to get it right. That kind of attention to detail goes into everything on the menu. What I also love is knowing the ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and free of preservatives. You're getting BBQ that's not only delicious but thoughtfully prepared. If you're anywhere near Ojai, put Joplin's on your must-try list. It's a gem.

Best food and music EVER! Home away from home. Every time we come back there's something new to try on the menu and each time it blows our minds. Had the pulled shroom sando and fried chicken today. Can't forget about the milkshake... best shake I've ever had. Thanks for always bringing the best vibes and flavors Joplin's!

Not so good. Service staff were indiffent. $14 for a $ .39 baby burger. Won't be repeating this experience.

No exaggeration the wagyu tri tip was the best tri tip I've ever had . Anyone who loves tri tip needs to try it. The brisket was great too as well as the sides that were ordered with it . Customer service was really good , everyone was polite and friendly . Will for sure be going back , and will be my one go to place when I want tri tip.

The service was friendly and efficient, however I regret my selection. The brisket burger lists beef, cheese and pickles but it came smothered in mayonnaise and so much salt that salt should be included in the menu description. They don't provide any condiments on the table so there was no pepper to try and balance out the overload of salt. Although the smoked patty was medium rare, the texture was oddly dense and firm. I'm glad to see so many positive reviews because I would like to see them succeed, but I don't think I will be returning.

met half the team wow delightful Ojai Vibe Good .people...great BBQ good mac & Cheese

Best food in town!!! If you want quality service, amazing music, with food and milkshakes that heal and sooth your soul!!!

good burgers but the worst milkshakes of my life. why they feel obligated to stuff them with M&Ms, candy and whipped cream is a mystery. did the chef train and Chuck E Cheese?