John D.
Yelp
That Thing You Q
Locally-owned BBQ spot that saw its humble origins begin back in 2010 at the Brentwood Farmers Market before finally realizing their dream and opening their first brick-and-mortar here in Pleasant Hill back in 2012. Their sister Martinez location came to life in 2018, fwiw.
The Good:
*They Q things up the right way with brick pits and 100% hardwood smoked meats using White Oak.
*Great selection of local beers and ciders on-tap
*Service from the young lady running the FOH was great.
*Dog-friendly outdoor dining
*BBQ Beans and Coleslaw were both terrific, and the latter met with the approval of the Coleslaw Queen. The beans were meaty, smokey, and cooked perfectly.
*Sweet Potato Tots were homemade and fantastic. Crispy, with a soft center and great sweet potato flavor.
*Smoked Corned Beef Brisket is phenomenal! Smokey, salty, and that great corned beef flavor in a juicy, meaty slab. I couldn't resist trying this even tho we were already ordering the regular brisket, as well, but I'm so glad we did.
*Ribs were cooked perfectly so that they weren't completely fall-off-the-bone but had some good texture, nice amount of smoke, and a great flavor from the rub.
*Private lot and street parking
The Meh:
*Wasn't a fan of the German Potato Salad, as it just didn't stand up to the flavor of the other sides we tried.
The Ugly:
*Brisket was a bit disappointing, as it was very dry and not juicy at all, which is a shame because the smoke and rub were great.
Conclusion: Fantastic *real* American BBQ that's worth a stop. Highly recommended.