KC'S BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Westbrae

KC'S BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Westbrae

5

1235 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706

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KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null
KC'S BBQ by null

Highlights

Storied storefront with down-home decor offering sliced beef & hot links with homemade sauce.  

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1235 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706 Get directions

kcsbbq.com
@kcsbbq

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

1235 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94706 Get directions

+1 510 526 6325
kcsbbq.com
@kcsbbq

$$ · Menu

Features

delivery
takeout
dine in
Tap to pay

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"In a post on Instagram on Wednesday night, the family behind Berkeley’s KC’s BBQ announced the sudden and immediate closure of the restaurant, which had been open for more than five decades." - Lauren Saria

Family-Run East Bay Barbecue Spot KC’s BBQ Just Closed After 55 Years in Business - Eater SF
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@eater

"Closed due to increasing costs, family hopes to continue business in other forms." - Paolo Bicchieri

Village Rotisserie in Noe Valley Has Closed - Eater SF
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"A concise news brief on an East Bay squabble topped Eater SF’s popular story list for 2019: The city of Berkeley cited KC’s BBQ, a 50-year-old restaurant, for operating its fully-permitted smoker. After a summertime mediation session, it appears the dispute has been resolved." - Eve Batey

The 10 Biggest Eater SF Stories of 2019 - Eater SF
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@eater

"KC’s BBQ, a 50-year-old barbecue restaurant in Berkeley, received a cease and desist notice from the city following neighbor complaints about the smoker. The owners were shocked by the notice and blame the city for poor information and communication. They have appealed the violation, which will be addressed in an administrative hearing." - Janelle Bitker

KC’s BBQ Blames City of Berkeley for Smoker Trouble - Eater SF
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@eater

"After serving barbecue in Berkeley for 50 years, KC’s BBQ has received a notice of violation from the city. According to a petition the family-owned restaurant posted on Change.org, the violation instructed the restaurant to stop using its smoker immediately — and forcing a barbecue restaurant to stop smoking meats would essentially shut it down. KC’s is calling on the community for support, and outlined in its petition a series of inspections and neighbor complaints despite the smoker being permitted when the restaurant first opened last summer. The restaurant’s original location was destroyed in a fire." - Janelle Bitker

Berkeley Tells KC’s BBQ Restaurant to Stop Barbecuing - Eater SF
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arcy sanvictores

Google
About a month ago, I treated the team at work to lunch. I’ve been wanting to try this place for a minute now and boy was I happy I did. Everything was spot on. Sauce had a nice kick to it, not too overpowering. The links was… different. The house blend they use for it was interesting. Not saying it was bad, just don’t expect it to be your run of the day link. (I’d order it again) Brisket was good, just wished for more of it. Ribs were juicy and thick, plenty of meat from the slab that came with the order. Chicken was chicken. The sauce made up for it being chicken. Collard greens and Mac and cheese was a perfect compliment to all the meats. I’m never big on potato salad but I will say it had flavor with a bit of zest. I order “the crew” Lastly, customer service and cleanliness of the restaurant. Place was immaculate. Very nice feel on the interior. They accommodated my request for splitting all the meats. Great customer service. Will be a spot I’d like to come back to.

Larry R

Google
What a delicious surprise to find this hidden gem! Mouthwatering and perfectly smoked meets with delicious sides. Ribs were truly amazing and so was brisket. The bbq sauce was good, but that’s anyone’s take. Mac and cheese was well melted and perfectly cheese without cheese breaking fat. Short, this is a steal for the price and super nice service.

Jared Guyer

Google
What a gem. I can’t remember enjoying any bbq on the west coast more than I enjoyed KC’s. The ribs were wonderful and also enjoyed the brisket and sausage. Sides of beans, potato salad, and collards were all delicious. For those that like spicy, their spicy bbq sauce was legit. Service was a very good and felt like family. They have two cozy outdoor seats on the back patio which was pretty enjoyable. Definitely recommended!

Frank Satchel

Google
I have been trying a variety of BBQ establishments lately. I ordered take out from KC's twice now. Both times, the "crew" combo. There's a slight increase in price between both occasions: the first time, sides were in small plastic containers, now replaced with compostable cardboard (no doubt more expensive) which are much easier to store and use for me. The food packaging from KC's is outstanding: very neatly done, no spills and stacked logically in the bags. It's worth noting because it's so carefully done, and the same attention shows in the food prep as well. I'm somewhat picky and prefer lean meat and mostly 'drier'. KC's brisket is the best I've had so far, on both occasions. Chicken: same, I couldn't fault it if I tried. But the links? Last time I had sausage close to this good was about 20 years ago at a backyard BBQ, and KC's is better. The spices, hint of fennel (?) and texture are close to perfect to me. Clearly, all of this takes a lot of work. Now, of course, there's something funny about food reviews, in that individual tastes run so different. But I recently tried a highly rated local chain whose link looked like a greasy butterfly attempting a backflip and tasted like salt and hot peppered oil. Did not review that. I have no hesitation driving 60 miles round trip for KC's. If you are considering trying them, do so: it's exceptional.

Dee Tee

Google
The greens were so delicious and I was happy to find out they’re vegetarian. The potato salad was good and so were the yams. My only complaint is that my side of yams wasn’t filled fully.

Tim Long

Google
The meat was good but the sides were garbage 🤮. The baked beans were not BAKED at all. The Mac N Cheese was boo boo. Put the both in the garbage🤷🏾‍♂️

Tim Hines

Google
HUGE portions! The 3 item combo is plenty for 2 people (see my pic). We actually got 2 plates which was way too much food. The meat was very flavorful and sauce was decent (they only offer one kind). Sides are limited, but the amount of meat definitely overshadows that. I will be back!

Amber & Tim McGrath

Google
This barbecue place is a real diamond in the rough the food is wonderful. I'm a more than average barbecue eater and love to try new and exciting unknown restaurants. This restaurant has great combos at fair prices and the food is extremely fresh and good tasting.