Willingham's World Champion BBQ

I came from Georgia down to California. I can’t believe this type of food was extremely good. This barbecue is one of a kind had to pull pork with the coleslaw on the side highly recommend as well as the. St. Louis pork ribs don’t forget to get the spicy BBQ sauce!

BBQ is just okay. I found out after ordering that it's Memphis style BBQ which specializes in pork dishes which I didn't have, though. I had brisket, beef ribs, and the jalapeño sausage which I'll review. Brisket [moist] - this was good. They brought the butcher paper with the brisket point and opened it up - Nice dark bark, good smoke flavor, and salt/pepper seasoning. Moist but not super moist as briskets I've had in Texas (Terry Black's, Franklin, Hutchins, Pecan Lodge). It had a prime beef price tag but I don't think it was prime beef like the higher end bbq joints Jalapeño Sausage - flavor was okay (wish they added cheddar cheese) but the texture was what was weird for a sausage. Rather than being ground, the meat texture felt more like chopped meat. Not what I was expecting for a sausage. Beef Ribs - this was disappointing. For plate beef ribs, these were tiny, very chewy and not at all fork tender. Flavor was good like the brisket but the cook and rest was bad. They took it from the oven from a leftover cut where they kept it warming which likely dried it out. Do not recommend. Overall, beef is better than your local Dickey's but doesn't stack up to the better BBQs I've had all over the country. Go for the brisket but skip the sausage and beef ribs. Will be back to try the pork [spare] ribs next as these looked good

Oh my WORD. This place converted me to BBQ and now it's all I can do to pace myself between visits! I actually really disliked BBQ before eating here (I know). Always found BBQ sauces to be too sweet in general and just never experienced the "wow" so many people touted about BBQ. But this place changed all that for me and now I think about eating their constantly. Their brisket is outstanding. I always get both the lean and the moist brisket because I honestly can't choose... Every time I go with just 1 option, I miss the other one. Their creamed corn is delicious as are their beans which have a rather generous amount of brisket bits in there. Collard greens are delish too. The inside is cute and always clean/tidy. You can see their consistent BBQ championship wins on their walls spanning over DECADES. Yeah. Seriously, if you haven't eaten here you're missing out! The service is solid, very professional and friendly. And parking is a breeze which is so appreciated in a popular beach town. Love you Willingham's!

Well … what to say. I was actually even considering not to post review- little hidden gem like this should be protected:) First meat - beyond believe and 100% THE best BBQ I ever had. Brisket was famous, but the RIBS?!! Wooow… well… I’m taking my hat off, thank you and thanks destiny to let me to find such place.

This small business is calling and you should answer! Absolutely delicious BBQ. The texture and flavor of the jalapeño sausage is possibly the best I've ever had. At first glance, I thought my calidude sandwich was going to be an utter mess, but pleasantly surprised the bun held up to its contents and each bite had a fantastic balance of bread, meat and condiment. Willingham's knows what they're doing and I'm here for it 🙌

Though my rating is 4 Stars, I'd really rate it 3.5 stars if I could. The food (meats and sides) was fresh and well prepared, however, it all lacked flavor. The brisket was super tender and the ribs fell right off the bone. The turkey was a bit dry and the pulled pork was just shredded pork. My favorite meat was the hot link. The potato salad and baked beans were average, but the creamed corn and cole slaw were both quite tasty. Was not impressed at all by the BBQ sauces; I tried to doctor them but ultimately decided to just use my own. Overall, it was a good experience and I'd definitely go back! Though it slightly bland and lacked some flavor, I appreciate quality BBQ that isn't too salty or overly greasy.

It's good! Had the beef brisket, jalapeno sausage, collard greens baked beans and cornbread. Overall good! Tried all the sauces. Not a huge fan of the sauces... They're good not great. The cool breeze sauce does pack a punch in the mouth I do like that, but there's some strange citrus-like taste in there that I wasn't a huge fan of... Good though... I'll be back to try some of the other menu items.

Really awesome BBQ!! I went for lunch and got the chopped brisket and it was really fresh and flavorful. The people there were very nice and I am definitely going to be back to try the ribs and other meats! Would recommend for anyone in the South Bay looking for a good BBQ lunch

This location was closed for a while and I thought they had gone out of business. It turned out the owner had been injured and took months to recovery. I was excited to drive by and see it reopened. Plenty of parking on their lot. And I could smell the delicious BBQ before even getting out of my car. I had the sliced brisket sandwich. The order was quite large and very filling. The sweet BBQ sauce on the side was perfect as I'm. It a fan of dripping sandwiches. The taste was excellent I highly recommend this place for consistently good food. It's close to my home so I'll be there, again, soon.

The bbq joint eschews expectations. Youd think there was gonna be a big southern black guy behind the counter but nope. I was just racially profiling by the name. But now im expecting the ribs to suck but nope, theyre pretty alright. Racially profiling again... see? Expectations eschewed.

Great smoked bbq hole in the wall spot. We ordered a la carte, a pound of brisket, beef ribs, and pulled pork. We also got Texas style chili (no beans) which was very good, Cole slaw and potato salad. Everything was tasty, but their BBQ sauce was too tangy for my liking, and their hot wasn't really spicy. You walk in and it smells so good and you can see all their trophies. They cut the meat right in front of you. They have a few tables inside, but we took it to go.

Casual no-frills BBQ spot. Ordered the 1/2 brisket plate. Everything was good, not too greasy, and the brisket was flavorful. Korean owned. The wonder bread threw me off a bit; it's soft, but kind of an odd touch. Service was good, and there's parking in the lot, which is always a plus.

Atmosphere - Clean, indoor seating available Food - Ordered the sliced moist brisket sandwich with mild BBQ sauce and potato salad. Brisket was wrapped in original pink butcher paper. The brisket was sliced in front of us, generous portions and the meat was flavorful and tender. It comes with an 8 oz. potato salad. Customer service - Very friendly staff. They were accommodating and stayed open so we could pick up or take our order shortly after closing. Price - Average We will definitely return to try the other items on the menu

Excellent spot for some legit BBQ with a friendly Korean family running the shop. Dad's got some serious BBQ chops having learned from one of the best! Willingham's usually our family go to for holiday dinners or bigger family get togethers. You can get the all the meat options by the pound! Brisket is solid and we really like the pork spare ribs and we usually get a few racks just so we can have some leftovers. When they have beef ribs on the weekend, it's a must for us if its available. Big chunks of tender beef ribs that reminds me of TX. Pulled pork is solid as well and it's fun getting some brioche bread to make our own sandwiches. The only one that we don't really care for is the sausage as it tends to be really dry. The chili here is so damn good. All meat chili that can be used for some many dishes. We love getting a few quart so we can have leftovers of this as well. Baked beans is another favorite for the sides, with the potato salad close behind. The shop itself is simple no frills with a few tables for dine-in. Most get their orders to go. Easy to order ahead and select pick up time. They always prepare order right before pick up!

I was so excited to try this place after hearing so many great things! The shop is lovely with a nice family working, and it really felt like a small town gem. The vibes are cute and the prices are great, but nothing is worth eating here. We got brisket, ribs, pulled pork & sausage and everything was underseasoned and extremely dry. Coleslaw, baked beans and collard greens were all mid. Potato salad was flavorless. I feel horrible leaving a review like this but maybe I came on an off day. The BBQ sauces are okay, not the best.

This place has great, pulled pork ribs, etc. anything barbecue trouble is an only one it's very expensive if you wanna order for Super Bowl you'd spend over $200.

I used to be addicted to just the brisket, but now I discovered the beef rib and chili. So good! As always service is fast and friendly. What a great hidden gem.

I really wanted to like this place. It has all the ingredients I love : It's a small, owner operated "hole in the wall" and had rave reviews But I can't recommend it The pulled pork and brisket were so salty , they were almost inedible. I've lived in Texas and have had a lot of bbq and no where was it this salty. Maybe I got it on a bad day? The beans were undercooked. The cream corn was good as was the potato salad. I was disappointed. Hopefully your experience will be better than mine.

Ribs and brisket are good, but the sausage is dry. The beer is well priced and it's a nice family run spot with good ambience and service.

Went back and it was amazing, they do beef ribs on Fri, Sat, Sunday!! Same delicious BBQ you'd expect from a World Champion!!!

Brisket is extremely salty. Pork ribs was dry and bone didnt fall off easily. Sauce was sour and salty Service is straightforward. So nothing bad. Its the only reason for +1 star to 1 star food quality. I cant tolerate the food. Took most of it to go, threw it away, take the L, and move on. It really hurts to write this since they seem like small business mom and pops family restaurant. But food is not good. I really do not know where the reviews are coming from. Either people who have not tasted good quality bbq or theyre peers of the restaurant. Will not come back again.

I've heard of this place for years and even had it bookmarked for a while, but never found a reason to go until now. Location: In a strip mall on PCH and Ruby street in Redondo Beach. Private parking lot is shared with other businesses. Food: I got the 4 pork rib plate with creamed corn and potato salad. I asked for the BBQ sauce on the side. The ribs were smokey and tender and falling off the bone. The smell of vinegar,, however, was an assault on my nose the second I poured it on the ribs. The creamed corn was forgettable (should have picked the beans instead). The potato salad wasn't bad at all. Ambiance: Small dining area with a load of framed articles all over the walls and even a table displaying all the awards the place has won. It's definitely a mom and pop shop and the locals here seem to like them although it was quiet on the day after July 4th. The kitchen area is an open area where you can see the entire preparation. Summary: There were two reeasons why this place didn't get 5 stars from me. Barbecue sauce should be tangy and spicy and full of flavor. It shouldn't immediately sting your nose with the smell of vinegar and was the dominantt flavor in the sauce. Secondly, I'm not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. I like mine to have a little chew to it and while I know that's what most people prefer their ribs to be, it's just a personal preference for me. The creamed corn tasted like it came from a can. I still say try them out and see what you think. You might have a different opinion than me. They didn't get all those awards for nothing. Happy eating!!

The best! Look at the photo of brisket I posted. That is insane right, come to Redondo Beach and get this tasty Smokey meat

Oh my oh my, I can't believe I just recently found this gem of a barbeque place in my neighborhood. It has been on my hitlist for a while and I regret not going sooner. All the meats were super tender, and the owners of the restaurants were super kind and careful to pack the meats properly. I tried basically almost everything on the menu, and I can say the all of them were barbequed to perfection. My favorite would definitely be the fatty brisket and the pork ribs. The beef ribs are a close third, especially because it is HUGE. I think it is definitely worthwhile to come visit Willingham's if you are in the area. If it were me, I would definitely make the trip to try it as well.

Dont let looks fool you. This family knows how to get down on BBQ. hands down, my favorite BBQ spot. Especially for the whitest little town possible. The best pulled pork and spicy bbq sauce

When I visit a food establishment, I think of three(3) items: Food, Service and the Ambiance. Food? I agree with a 2020 Review that Willingham's World Champion BBQ, serves the Best-in-the-West Beef Brisket. My first bite? Moist, Flavorful and a nice hint of smoke....it was like texture of ice cream, just melts in your mouth. Service? the Family run business gives 100% attention to all customers: new and frequent visitors. Ambiance? from the outside ...it appears as a "hole in the wall", in between a Dry Cleaner and Liquor Store...so, it's convenient to get all of your errands done in one place!

The dinosaur ribs are to die for! Always ask what the best thing is that day their recommendations are good.

This is the best bbq place in South Bay and it's not even close! Everything they cook here is amazing. Ribs, brisket, sausage, turkey and even their chili always hits the spot. Doesn't get better anywhere around here

Wow .!! This place has the best BBQ . We tried mostly all the meats my fave was the brisket and the Dino ribs .!! Absolutely worth every penny . True service is good too the place is clean . Gets busy so hey there early .

While looking for a place to have lunch in the South Bay, I made the decision to eat here when I read that a Yelp reviewer compared this place to Franklin BBQ in Austin. If you've been to Texas or are a food obsessive, you've most likely heard that Franklin BBQ serves some of the best barbecue in Texas. I've tasted it and have stood in line for 5 hours for it. Upon walking in, I didn't know what to expect. I saw a lot of barbecue trophies at the entrance and a lot of write ups and reviews on the wall. With a Google search, you can read more about the original pitmaster - https://www.dailybreeze.com/barbecue-at-willinghams-in-redondo-beach-lives-up-to-its-world-champion-designation/. Brisket seemed to be the thing to order so I ordered the moist brisket as a sandwich. As soon as the sandwich arrived I took a piece on its own to taste. It was delicious and comparable to the brisket I've tasted in Texas. Just looking at the meat, I knew that this place was above average. When I asked where they learned how to cook barbecue, the woman responded "Memphis." Their moist brisket was so flavorful that barbecue sauce isn't needed. Instead of simply using salt and pepper, the owner showed me his container of spices. For those of you that are fans of the brisket at Moo's Craft Barbecue, this place is worth a try. I enjoyed my brisket sandwich and would definitely return the next time I am in the mood for barbecue without any line or hassle. I haven't been to Memphis, but I have had plenty of brisket in Texas to know that this place is serving some of the best brisket in Southern California. They make a better brisket than what I tasted at Heritage Barbecue in Oceanside. I was not much of a fan of the beans as surprisingly it was bland that I ended up throwing my barbecue sauce in the beans to flavor it. I would skip the beans next time and try something else. Maybe try the potato salad.

The best barbecue that I have found in California. While their brisket is tender, right blend of bark, and lean, it's their turkey that keeps me coming back. I think there might be a better a chance getting ice water in hell than there is finding turkey breast that is smoked but not dried out. Willinghams barbecue hats off to you for doing the impossible. Venture off the beaten path, give this place a shot. It's quality over quantity so if you get there later in the day, expect them to be sold out.

I can't begin to put into words the tender, delicious, delicate, love of flavor this visit has brought me. From the so flavorful collard greens to the fantastic potato salad, the most tender pork ribs and brisket I have EVER had!!! And oohhh mmyyyy goodness!!! I'm am feeling nice and sedated with a feeling of oh myyyy goodesss again!!!

Brisket -- juicy Pork ribs -- so tender and yummy Went for lunch and got the two-meat plate which came with two sides, bread, onions, pickles and yellow peppers. Tip: you can ask to try their sides before ordering them and while you're at it, ask to try the chili too (cuz they have the best chili!) Tip 2: the place is perfect for big orders for parties too especially if you call ahead, they will accommodate you.

This unassuming BBQ spot right next to my hotel had some of the best brisket I ever had! It was so good that I ate here two days in a row. The brisket was incredibly tender, juicy, without being extremely fatty. The brisket was even marbled throughout, and unlike most bbq places where it is either dry and/or have giant chunks of fat. Highly highly recommended if you're in South Bay!

The owners were so nice when we came into the shop to pick up our food. The pork ribs were so tender all you needed to do was blow on the ribs and the meat fell off. It was amazing and all the different sauces really gave each bite a little different flavor. The greens ‍ This will be our new BBQ spot. I love how real this space feels. Feels like home. Thank you for being here for all the taste this special cooking

Ordered the sliced brisket and Cole slaw. The brisket taste more like a pot roast. It was tender. I went here based off the reviews that this was "world champion" bbq and was disappointed. Perhaps the trophies that were spread out on a table were from a different era. I usually can judge good bbq by either seeing outdoor pits and some wood nearby. Didn't see neither here.

Legit bbq in SoCal! I have lived in both St Louis and Texas and miss good bbq. This place delivers. I am partial to pork (my St. Louis upbringing) and looooved my pulled pork sandwich. Husband got the beef brisket and he said it is some of the best he has ever had. Side of coleslaw makes for the perfect meal. Yum yum yum.

Great little hole in the wall take-out BBQ. Place is surprisingly clean (tables wiped clean, floors are not sticky nor greasy, clean restrooms, etc) and the meats and the sides were delicious. Tried moist brisket, pork ribs, jalapeno sausages, and pulled pork with cole slaw, baked beans and potato salad. The meats were moist and not too fatty and the slaw and potato salad were very fresh. The sauces were a bit vinegary for my taste, but the sweet sauce was perfect.

Everything here is great, but my favorites are the beef ribs and creamed corn. The meat is so tender and seasoned so perfectly! Great value too.

A friend of mine brought in Willingham's World BBQ food for a backyard get together and the food was delicious. My absolute favorite was the pulled pork. I think it was the best pulled pork I've ever had. It was flavorful, moist, and not at all fatty. Everyone else also liked the turkey, sausage and beef but I never got past the pulled pork (I went back for more.)

Excellent BBQ! I just found this place by chance. Got the cooked turkey breast by the pound and it is amazing. Award winning BBQ.

This is a restaurant with a superior taste ever. And must-visit restaurant in Redondo Beach. Also very kind and clean.

Best BBQ in the South Bay! Truly world class based on comparison with what I've experienced in frequent trips to Texas and elsewhere. Highly recommended for brisket and chili!

Found them by mistake, I gotta tell you I'm a bbq connoisseur, with that being said this place is a hidden gem unreal brisket and sides. I gotta go back to try the beef ribs, I don't eat any pork products so I have no comment about that. But just by trying the brisket I can't tell that the beef ribs are going to be amazing as they are easer than brisket

Everything is so good. The Brisket is the star of the show! The service was great family own business. From calling and placing my order.Everyone was very nice.

This place is truly a hidden gem... Amazingly tender, incredibly flavorful and better than my husband and I remembered it. Even though we thought it was great back then, It's rare to be even more impressed years later! A humble, unassuming space with such fantastic food within... You can't go wrong with any of the ribs... The beef ribs though were crazy, The sausage has a nice kick, Sides are bomb (I think our favs are creamed corn, baked beans and potato salad but that's still questionable), Don't forget the sauces! Lovely flavors ranging from sweet citrus to ok that's kinda building up now haha... Wonderful people that are pros at their craft, Thank you is all I can say!

Food was great got there early on a Friday to try the turkey breast which was amazing. Food was all really good only reason I gave 4 stars was it was a little pricey.

Brisket was tender and simply seasoned which is my preference but may not be everyone else's. The boyfriend got us the ribs which cost about $60 but the portion is pretty hefty and, in my opinion, is worth that price. The jalapeño sausage wasn't bad either but it was a bit too tender for my liking. The meat crumbles which can be good but I strongly prefer when sausage has more of a bite and firmness to it. The jalapeño in the sausage isn't blended into the sausage. You'll have a couple chunks of jalapeño in the sausage. I don't mind it but others found it odd My favorite was actually the cream corn! I'm a bit of a sucker for cream corn regardless but I found it delicious It's run by a Korean couple and they we efficient and you don't need to wait long for your food which is always a plus I recommend this place :)

I work in Torrence and we love picking up lunch on Sundays from Willinghams! Nothing like this place around here! I've tried the turkey the time before and love this when I'm not in the mood for the brisket or pulled pork! Welcomed the minute you walk in, they're always busy but acknowledge their customers once they walk in. The joint smells like they're cooking something tasty! The chili was made with something really special this past Sunday, a must try we use it to create sloppy joes or gobbled it by the spoonful!

Bbq beef ribs were amazing. Everything was good, but will be back for the beef ribs for sure.

Just a reminder on this Mother's Day that Willingham's has the worst customer service, especially on Mother's Day. Go elsewhere.

Stop Scrolling. These guys make real BBQ! I have tried lots of BBQ in Southern California. These guys BLOW EVERYONE ELSE AWAY! I ordered a full brisket packer and a couple racks of ribs. They did not disappoint. Dont go anywhere else, just stop here.

Over rated. I Ordered the beef ribs. Meat was more on the dry side and underwhelming in flavor. Not worth the price by far. I've made better at home in my oven.

Prices are fine. Moist brisket was ok. Seasoning just ok. Sides we had were the beans and cheesy corn just ok. Just not too much flavor going on with all of it. Just kinda meh. Interesting they have so many awards.

Beef ribs were awesome. The people are super friendly and very accommodating. I had a craving for some bbq beef ribs, and this place did not disappoint. The portions are pretty huge.

Wow, this spot is absolutely amazing. This is the first time I've ever been to a barbecue spot and had every single side dish and every single one of them was on point. Like no joke the best I've had. Another reason, I think this place is absolutely amazing is because the way the food was packaged for DoorDash. No mess whatsoever everything was literally perfectly packaged and the way they fold the foil over to keep the meat warm unbelievable. To whoever folds the foil when wrapping the food is an absolute big money gangster. LFG !!!

I am seriously happy I found this place on yelp on my random trip out to Redondo Beach. This is probably gonna be my only go to for BBQ. Their brisket (they offer lean/moist cut) and beef ribs were so bomb! We also got a side of their mild bbq sauce, which is more on the vinegary side, which I like. Am definitely gonna come back to try their other selections. Called in to place my order, and pick up was ready in 20 minutes. They are located in a small corner plaza and parking is plentiful, and even on the streets. Small family owned business that knows how to get their flavors right! We had the beef ribs for probably the next following 2 days and the meat comes off cleanly off the bones.