Slow Hand BBQ

Fantastic brisket and pork ribs! I’ve been trying out local BBQ spots around Concord and Walnut Creek, but Slow Hand BBQ in Pleasant Hill really blows the competition away. The meat is smoky, tender, and full of flavor. The brisket melts in your mouth, and the ribs have the perfect balance of seasoning and juiciness. The casual vibe and friendly service make it even better. A must-try spot if you’re craving real BBQ in the Bay Area!

I already love the food at Slow Hand, but throw in some live music and I'm a super happy girl!

I usually get the brisket sandwich which is fantastic. This time we tried the burger and the brisket Philly. Both are incredibly delicious! Also, SO happy the sweet potato tots are back. Mac&cheese is yum too! Great people, chill atmosphere, tasty beer selection. Highly recommend.

🔥 5 Stars! Absolutely loved this spot! The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the ribs had a perfect smoky bark, and the tri tip was on point. You can tell they put real care into every plate. Super friendly staff, fast service, and chill atmosphere. This is exactly the kind of local gem you want to keep coming back to. Can’t wait for the next round!

Got the smoked Ruben sandwich and sweet potato tots - unsusal but very tasty. I’ve never heard of smoked corned beef but it was good. Only down side is Pepsi at the fountain drinks and the spicy BBQ sauce was missing the “spicy” part. Super friendly staff.

Literally the best Reuben Sandwich I have had in years. Fantastic, you can check my reviews, I get Reuben's everywhere and this one was off the chain. Sweet Potato Tots were well fried and I'm pretty sure house made as well. Wife liked the ribs, friends loved their dishes as well. Beer menu was solid w/ some nice semi local options. Service was fantastic, everyone was super friendly. And, believe it or not, the price was not insane, it was super reasonable for BBQ.

One of THE BEST bone-falling ribs we’ve EVER HAD!!!!! Service is super friendly! Food is superb!!!!

I hadn't visited Slow Hand BBQ in over four years, but I'm pleased to report that the food remains exceptional. I travel from Richmond specifically to indulge in top-quality barbecue. My preferred meal consists of St. Louis Spare Ribs, picnic potato salad, BBQ baked beans, and rolls.

Best bbq around. Ordered doordash and had the brisket, stuffed jalapenos and mac and cheese. All were delicious. Cant wait to try again.

Im sorry to say but this was NOT BBQ. I ordered the rib plate, the jalapeno poppers with a side of brisket, a link l, corn on the cobb and baked beans from Uber Eats. Beans were a no show. The ribs were terrible, they lacked flavor and seemed to be baked not grilled or smoked. I couldn't even digest it NO CAP. The link seemed store bought and boiled . The brisket was moist but also lacked flavor. Im not sure how you can mess up a jalapeno popper but they succeed. All around a miss for me. I had to order from a different place and take this as a learning experiance.

Good bbq but it had a fire recently so it will be temporarily closed (2/16/26). They have another shop in Martinez you can hit up. Please keep this business going!

Good food, great service! Ambiance kinda fun but stuffy. We got the 3-meat combo and it was great. My favorite meat was the brisket, it was amazing with great smoke ring. My favorite side was the sweet potato tots. The jalapeño poppers were great as well!

This place is old school and as good as ever. Grab a menu and when you're ready order at the counter. Everything is fresh and delicious. I can't pick a favorite because everybody really is that good. My favorite sides are the beans and the Mac and cheese. I come for brisket and short ribs but I love the chicken and pork too. And the Tri tip. And the links. They have two large screen TV's to watch the sports or go sit outside when the weather is nice. Great selection of beers on tap as well! I love Slow Hands!

Been here a couple times staff are nice but one guy got the order wrong twice food is ok they have music sometimes which is nice

DAMN GOOD BBQ!! Their McRib sandwhich (Saturdays only) is easily one of the best bbq sandwhiches I've ever had, kinders who??? The meat is plentiful and SO juicy and savory. For my side I got coleslaw, I didn't have high expectations but it was surprisingly tasty, crunchy, and healthy due to the fact that it wasn't cream/ mayo based. Their potato tots are a hit especially paired with their chipotle ranch as a dip! Ambiance is great, service is great, I appreciated how clean and well stocked their bathrooms were, nothing more you can ask for from this place. 5/5!! My only complaint is that Saturdays are the only day you can get this delicious McRib sandwhich. Great job SH, truly shows how much thought and work goes into their offerings.

My husband and I have been meaning to try this place out in years, and boy what a mistake to not have come visited sooner! Big shout out to the live guitarist, adding to some really cozy vibes. Love the ambience of the place, came for dinner on a Saturday night during the holidays and it wasn't too crowded, although I'm sure it would be different on different weekend. Also service was very fast and friendly, they really made sure to take care of us right when we came in through the doors. Another plus, free fountain drinks! Ask for the food, I find the brisket and tri-tip pretty well priced compared to other barbecue places I've been in the Bay Area (1/2lb $15.99). The brisket was absolutely delicious, definitely our favorite. We also got the baby backwards, which were smoked very well and incredibly flavorful. Also, shout out to the barbecue baked beans and sweet potato tots - they were definitely our favorite sides! We will most certainly be back, so happy for some local barbecue of top-notch quality.

This is a good solid local barbecue joint. It's a little out of the way and parking is a bit of a challenge but the food is excellent. The ribs, both St Louis style and baby back, were excellent. The brisket was just a touch dry but we were there late in the day. The sides that we selected were potato salad, which was the traditional style, beans, standard camp style, and coleslaw, which was unique and very good. I really liked all of them. The service was the standard order at the counter and they bring it out. It was fast and friendly. The place is a bit of a dive but it's clean and still retains the Covid parking lot tables that are getting plenty of use. One note about this place, they had live music and it was so loud that it was problematic. You couldn't hold a dinner conversation inside so we had to sit outside. I will return again.

Slow hand is a great place to eat solid BBQ, drink craft beer on tap, and see live music. The service is prompt and friendly, where you can easily chat it up with the staff. They are quite dedicated to providing excellent service with a smile. My favorite thing to eat anywhere at the moment, not just here, is the smoked corned beef Rueben. Seriously to die for! Their smoked wings are excellent, with buffalo sauce in the side so you can enjoy the wing preparation fully. They often have talented one or two piece musicians there singing and playing guitar. Always good. Stop on in!

Decently sized restaurant with a good atmosphere. They have a bar counter, regular seats inside, and outdoor seating with a heater. Service was good, ordered in the front counter and picked a seat. I got the brisket Philly which was warm and gooey with nice caramelized onions. The brisket was soft and tender. The sandwich was on the smaller side but tastes great. The regular BBQ was Smokey sweet but a bit too sweet for me. The spicy a BBQ has a good kick.

Ominous spot and very well hidden! They have live music and a small outdoor area, which is almost like every BBQ joint I've seen in Texas lol. But on to the food. My buddies and I ordered the whole package. Mac & cheese, brisket, ribs, backed potato tater tots. Oh and brisket nachos. I have to say, with me starting to getting into smoked meats, I've cooked plenty of brisket before and this one was really good. The baked potato was great and the mac and cheese was good. I have to say the ribs were not to my liking, they were a bit dry and cold.

We were on our way to a concert in Napa and still hadn't figured out where we were going to get food from. If we arrived early, we could get a better parking space. If we didn't, who knows what we'd end up with. We figured that it would be best to arrive early, with food, and eat in the car. When we came through Lafayette, I asked if she would be happy with BBQ and she said yes. I suggested that she order from Slow Hand through yelp. The process is straight forward. We ordered and paid while on the road. Our order was ready when we arrived. As soon as the bag came into the car, the aromas wafted throughout. It was a challenge to keep from digging in while driving. We found the venue pretty quickly and parking was relatively easy. Then we proceeded to feast. We got: St. Louis Ribs - 4 - super moist and tender. Maybe just a tad salty for my taste but I didn't bother with the containers of sauce, they weren't needed. Macaroni & Cheese - 3 - Last we got them, they were made with shells; this time fusilli. Had I read my last review before we ordered, I would not have ordered them this time. Picnic Potato Salad - 2 - Something has changed. The potatoes were undercooked and there appeared to be too much mustard. This potato salad was not enjoyable. Hot Link - 4 - I did not indulge. She said at first that it wasn't too spicy. She later said that it had a heat that snuck up on you. We've eaten here and ordered to go. The Pork Ribs are relatively consistent. Other items have been hit and miss for us. We're considering returning only for the Pork Ribs to supplement dishes from other establishments in the future.

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.

Great BBQ! The parking lot sucks though. Not enough parking. I get second thoughts about coming just because I can't find a parking space most times I come. But like I said it is very good bbq, and so tender.

Food, Service, and the Ambiance is amazing they always have people performing there. I've been going there for years and it is still amazing.

Friendly staff and clean locations. The meats are smoked gently and not overly salty or tasting like fake smoke flavor. The beer selections are always on point too. Hearty portions. Plus the kids like it too.

Visiting in town and ordered the hungry eyes combo that came with 3 meats & 3 sides. Bbq was very average and nothing really stood out but it was still good. The brisket was fatty & moist but the bark was non existent. Tri tip was a little dry but still juicy which was a little strange, flavor was good. The spare ribs had really big bones and I felt a little ripped off but the taste was good. The Cole slaw is vinegar based, I enjoyed this the most out of the 3. Beans and potato salad were pretty basic and could have been from the grocery store. Overall decent place but don't expect anything mind blowing.

Food was juicy and well-seasoned! Served fast. Also they have one of the best bathrooms I've ever been to. Nice and clean! I'd love to go back again!

I am a BBQ ribs person. I've eaten that most of the ribs places in the Bay Area and have made barbecue ribs for over 50 years. I went to slowhand BBQ and got ribs to go. The prices were very reasonable and I got two types of ribs, which I appreciated. The sauce for the ribs was good and I recommend getting extra sauce because it's worth it. The service was good and the people were friendly.

I absolutely enjoyed Slow Hand! Only in town for a week for work and we came in for a team dinner. They accommodated us with open arms! I kinda love the ordering style of order and pay at the counter and then they brought the food out to your table. Very friendly service! The food was so good and the portions were big. Nothing fancy, but everything was comfy and casual about this place! Love the old school advertising decor hanging throughout the restaurant.

My husband wanted a corned beef sandwich, but the waitress also recommended the Pit Burger. We're so glad he took her advice! That burger was a flavor explosion with the onion sauce, bacon, and cheese. I'll definitely be craving it again. Our ratings: Pit Burger: 5/5 Smoked Corn Beef Reuben: 1/5 (way too salty) Service was (5/5) Giving them a solid 4 star rating. Overall, we definitely recommend this place! Go get yourself a Pit Burger!

One of the best BBQ places in the entire Bay Area. Great value, tasty food, exceptional customer service and I like the outside patio. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but can't win them all I live in Oakland and was teaching a class at the Pleasant Hill library and the librarian recommended this place. As you can see from my empty plate (which I wanted to lick) I loved it. My associate was with me and she had the same experience - even the sides were tasty. We both said that we would definitely come back, even though it is a bit of a drive for us - but totally worth it.

Very average BBQ, huge disappointment especially for the cost, Mac and cheese sub par and a bit sour, tri tip well done after I specifically asked how it was cooked. The ribs were good I'll give them that and the service was ok to a point. Definite avoid for me. I was refunded for the tri tip after a bit of haggling, which shouldn't happen, after I specifically ASKED her how they were cooked. Nothing about the tri tip was medium, it was dry as the Mojave desert. Also the sauces on the table were not great nor seemed fresh. Too bad because it's a cozy cute restaurant.

Every time I go to Slow hand BBQ I am delighted with the food , the atmosphere , the kindness and professionalism of staff and the visible care put in to each order. Delighting my palate is so easy for Slow Hand , it's what they do !! Every time I leave , I cannot wait to go back !

Everything here is so good. I like getting a tri-tip sandwich with a side of ranch. The bread pudding is fantastic. The portions are generous and I always have leftovers for the next day.

Oh, Lordy! The smoked prime rib at Slow Hand BBQ on Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, was phenomenal! The generous portion had the perfect smoky flavor and seasoning. It's served with a loaded baked potato. The prime rib dinner is a Friday night special at their Pleasant Hill and Martinez locations. I recommend getting there early; I know it's a popular special. They also have indoor and outdoor dining and live music at both locations. If you don't feel like a big dinner, the brisket nachos are another favorite of mine! They have a great group of young people who work there; they're always super friendly!

There's lots of mediocre bbq in the bay area. Slowhand's brisket texture and flavor get a high rating. The smoked corned beef is wonderful too. My girlfriend and another friend are nuts about the "cheesesteak" brisket sandwich. Friendly, helpful service. Nice ambiance. I'm originally from Texas so I have been to the "top of the mountain" at Franklin's in Austin. This is my East Bay go-to bbq restaurant. It's got the right mojo.

I was looking for a new place to try around Lafayette and picked this place. I'm glad I did! I had a brisket sandwich and cole slaw. As mentioned in other reviews, it's a vinegar-based slaw and may not be to everyone's liking. I enjoyed it, the crisp bitterness helps balance out the richness of the BBQ. I sat at the bar and everyone working there was super friendly and seemed happy to be there. I will definitely be back, and am willing to make a trip here even if I'm not staying in the area!

They were able to handle a huge order on short notice, on a holiday. Great food and excellent service at a very reasonable price. Highly recommend.

I've been going to this place for a few years now.   For a BBQ spot, this is very spacious on the inside and well decorated with cow hide and longhorns. There is so much to look at.  It has such a good and welcoming vibe.      Restrooms are superclean, and I was surprised that they have a changing table and provide disposable changing pads for the babies. They also provide tampons and pads for women.  I was a little surprised and amazed that they provided these.  There are not a lot of places that you can go to nowadays that even provide any of these.      We have tried a few items here, and I highly recommend: 1.  Brisket nachos - The chips are fresh, and it's just a cheesy brisket goodness. Don't mind the messiness.  2.  Beef rib - Only available on Sundays.  It's reasonably affordable and comes with a side.  Good enough for 2 people.  I only recommend getting there early for it because it does sell out 3.  Corn beef special - this was only for St. Patty's Day. I have never had a corn beef brisket before, but man, I've been missing out.  It was well seasoned, tender,  and so flavorful. 4.  Loaded baked potato - this is one of the best I've ever had. It's a good-sized potato. 5.  Bacon wrapped jalapeno - a good appetizer to start with. They do not skimp on the bacon, and it packs a little heat to get you going. 6.  Key lime pie  - if you like key lime, this has a good tartness with a small hint of sweetness.  I especially love the crust. 7.  Maple bacon cake was different but reminded me of the maple bacon donuts you can buy. I didn't really care for the mac n cheese and the ribs. I was a little disappointed that the rib didn't fall off the bone. It was a little tough. Service was above and beyond, and you can't go wrong with the complimentary fountain soda.

Ordered 2 racks of st louis ribs and honestly felt there was a significant lack of smoke flavor - some was there but not really a hit of that "BBQ" feel - bummer. The dry rub seasoning was fine/good but with a lack of smoke (and smoke ring for visual cue) it tasted kind of like baked ribs. I appreciate the sauces on the side so you have a choice. I'm not a huge fan of the dark sweet molasses-y sauce (their regular?) but did enjoy a bit more of the redder "spicy" BBQ sauce; don't worry it's not really spicy. Unfortunate I didn't have an experience that matches the other reviews.

I got the brisket nachos. They were the worst nachos I've ever had. The cheese does not taste like cheese, it taste like powder mixed with water that coagulated. Theres a green sauce with no flavor. The brisket was so bland and grey and I bit into a bone.... The chips def came from a bag. I got the small and it was $15... Anyways great service from staff! Really personable and nice! 5 stars for the staff!! Aprox an hour after eating this I got violently ill with food poisoning. I am now regretting every choice I made today, especially getting this food.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND BBQ Summer technically ends on September 21. However regarding vacations summer for most of us ends after Labor Day. While enjoying the last few days of summer vacation I came to Slow Hand BBQ the night before Labor Day. When I go to BBQ joints there has to be an item that has to be special or "jumps out of the menu". One of the items I noticed was the smoked corned beef. That was one reason why I went to Slow Hand BBQ. The other reason is the beef rib, which is only served on Sundays. My initial plan was to get a pound of smoked corned beef and a beef rib. As my birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks I thought about ordering from the catering menu. At the last minute I ordered a 1/2-pound beef brisket, 1/2-pound smoked corned beef, and a beef rib plate that includes a side order, which I choose coleslaw. Instead of eating inside I decided to eat outside where there were wooden picnic tables. Several minutes later the BBQ tray arrived of all the items I ordered. I glanced over the items then proceeded to devour. The beef brisket was moist and flavorful. The beef rib was juicy and rich. The best item I ordered was the smoked corned beef. I love corned beef at restaurants yet never had smoked corned beef. The corned beef at Slow Hand BBQ was succulent as the fat melted inside the meat. I am not going to say that this was the best corned beef I ever ate at an eatery, but it was the best item I ate that night. The combination eating the beef brisket and corned beef eventually made me too full to finish the beef rib. I like how pickles and raw onions were served. They act as a compliment texture to the fatty meats. The rolls were soft. The coleslaw was a major disappointment. I love coleslaw with mayonnaise as that is my preference. I understand there is no mayonnaise with the coleslaw served at Slow Hand BBQ but there is vinegar, which besides cabbage is the main component for coleslaw. The more I ate the coleslaw at Slow Hand BBQ there was aftertaste. That might have to do with the bell peppers. I like bell peppers, but not in my coleslaw. Other than the coleslaw I really enjoyed my meal at Slow Hand BBQ. I plan to come back again. My "go to" item will still be the smoked corned beef. I will try new items such as the St. Louis Ribs, hot links, and chopped pork, which sounds really intriguing.

I came here to say 10/10/25 around 8:30 I bought Brisket sandwich which really good but my side was potato salad I did ask I ask for tater tots how do u mess it up i really wanna like this place but last night was huge miss

Heard reviews that it was a family owned business. And true to that, you feel that you are part of the family when you eat here. Every once in a while they come and check on you. It's like a hole in a wall except it's located at a corner street in Martinez. Service was great!

The staff was super friendly and honestly it came out super quick. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of how soft the pulled pork was I wouldn't say it was soft in a good way more mushy. The rest of the things were decent I personally would recommend a loaded baked potato with brisket. All together I would say the experience was alright but I've definitely had better BBQ.

The food itself was average, had little flavor and the portions were quite small. We ordered the meal for 2 and in no way did it include enough food for two people to have an entire meal. It was definitely more of a snack and not worth $40 especially considering it had very little flavor. The mac and cheese had a good flavor but a very watery consistency, and the meat all just tasted like salt and nothing else. The one bright spot was the staff. Her name was Adriana and she was welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable and lovely. Give that girl a raise especially if you're overcharging for subpar food.

I went to Slow Hand between 3 and 4PM to beat the dinner rush. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. I got my baby back ribs quickly and tried them with the hot and sweet barbecue sauces. They also provide accoutrements for making sandwiches with the rib meat. I thought the ribs were quite good! The meat fell off the bone and there was definitely enough food for my money's worth. The spice rub had a garlicky aftertaste, so it might not be a good idea if you have reflux. The place has a family-friendly sports bar-ish sort of vibe. They have a nice outdoor patio area, which is suitable for dogs. The bathrooms are VERY clean with all possible amenities provided, plus some funny signs. It's a good place to stop by if you're in the area (and hungry).

I seem to feel the same as many of the recent reviews. I think they used to be better, but the last couple of times I went the meat was on the dry side and lacked flavor. We took some friends there last year and I was disappointed. I know there's nothing they can really do about it, but it's also annoying when people are waiting for a table outside that people who have clearly finished eating continue to linger despite multiple people hovering nearby. "People... they're the worst." I wonder if their Martinez location is the same. Since my sister lives in Martinez now, maybe I'll give it a try.

Second time here, it's good and not great. I think the acclaim is only because bbq is lacking in the area. It's also overpriced and portions are small. Pass on the beans. It's worth a try, but can't give 5 stars :(

Just had the slow hand turkey for Thanksgiving. Everyone loved it!!! Smoke flavor all the way through. Just delicious. It's been requested for next time. Maybe smoked Prime Rib next year as well???

We recently ordered catering for my daughters rodeo themed first birthday party and the food was such a hit! Everyone loved it!! We had so many people tell us how great the food is and wanted to know where it was from. We ordered food for 30 but there was plenty for everyone to go back for a second plate, and some even went for a third! My baby loved chewing on her St. Luis rib way more than the cake I made her. I would definitely ordered from Slow Hand again! Thanks Slow Hand team, for helping to make my daughter's birthday a huge success!

Today, I had the pleasure of trying Slow Hand BBQ in Pleasant Hill, and it was a surprisingly good experience! This was a to-go order which I am usually hesitant because the food could become cold. We opted for the half-and-half ribs rack, and I have to say, they were absolutely delicious. Even without the sauce, the ribs were hot and moist, showcasing their quality perfectly. We ordered a side of sliced of tri-tip along with a side salad topped with blue cheese, which was incredibly fresh and satisfying. And I must mention the key lime pie; it was a delightful way to round off the meal--perfectly tangy and sweet! A special shoutout to Maddy, our host, who was incredibly friendly, efficient, and welcoming. When I called to follow up on my order, Maddy's cheerful personality truly added to my experience. I highly recommend Slow Hand BBQ for anyone in the area looking for delicious BBQ and great service! *I didn't have a beer, but the beers listed looked inviting.

So so good! I had the brisket sandwich and my husband had the tri-tip sandwich. Both were amazing, perfect amount of smoke. We both preferred the spicier bbq sauce. Also had the bacon wrapped jalapeños and they were delicious. Can't wait to eat here again!

Baby back ribs were excellent. Great smoky flavor, not overcooked and tender. I had this on takeout. Well prepared, tasted great.

Service was friendly and atmosphere was comfortable. My tri tip was juicy, tender and flavorful. Loved the original BBQ sauce. Best BBQ I've had in a long time.

Having moved to Pleasant Hill from San Ramon we have been exploring the restaurant options here and have been very happy with findings. That was until I tried Slow Hand BBQ. My wife was out of town and I have been looking for a good BBQ joint since I moved from the mid west. Welp I am still looking. The brisket was salty and dry. The loaded baked potato was big, but it was just a potato and a little over cooked. The sauce also was just ok. So, I am still looking.

Best BBQ and Team ever! Everyone is so kind! Maddie is the best and the family that owns the business are the amazing! It's a must stop spot and in the cutest neighborhood in the Bay Area!