Hard Times BBQ

Reviews

• RS

  Randall Smoot

  1 day ago
  5.0
  I tried this place for the first time this week. I don't live nearby, but my daughter lives very near and she brought me here for lunch. The BBQ was great, we each had 2 different meat combos, so I got to try 4 different meats. I can't say which was best because I enjoyed all. I hope visit again soon, this is the best BBQ place that I know of in northern California.
• KK

  Kim

  1 day ago
  5.0
  I came in with a couple of friends. We'd been trying to meet here for lunch for a couple of weeks. It was worth the wait! I had brisket and pulled pork. Both were delicious. I was skeptical about using a plastic knife on the brisket but it was tender enough that even a plastic knife could cut it! The atmosphere is casual but clean. My only complaint is that the booths are very small. I recommend sitting at a regular table. Otherwise no complaints!
• SG

  SBE Tha Gang

  2 days ago
  1.0
  I remember the good old days when this place actually took pride in how they served their BBQ. Proper cuts, generous portions, and plates that were worth every dollar. The food is still amazing, but the quality of service and the way the plates are put together have gone downhill. The young lady working up front really doesn’t seem to understand how to properly prepare a BBQ plate, and unfortunately, it’s gotten to the point where I stopped coming. It’s disappointing because I’ve always loved the food, but when you’re paying good money, the portions and service should match the quality.
• PH

  Paul Hickey-Ramsey

  5 days ago
  2.0
  I was recommended this BBQ spot, and I’ve already visited twice in one week. Having eaten at plenty of restaurants and BBQ establishments, I have a few criticisms. First, the pricing needs some serious reconsideration. I understand that smoking meat takes time and effort, but the portion sizes simply don’t justify the prices. The value just isn’t there. My biggest issue, however, is the expectation of tipping at checkout. What exactly am I tipping for? * Do employees come around and ask how the food is? No. * Do they bring your food to your table or provide actual table service? No. * Do employees spend time standing behind the counter when there are no customers to assist? Yes. I witnessed this myself while eating. So why am I being prompted to tip as though I’m dining at a full-service restaurant when I’m receiving none of the services associated with one? To be clear, I’m not against tipping. I’m against the growing expectation that customers should tip simply because someone handed them food across a counter. That’s the basic responsibility of the position, not some extraordinary service that warrants additional compensation. At the end of the day, this place feels like a glorified Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, only with prices that don’t match the portions or overall experience. The food itself was decent, but nothing particularly memorable or anything I couldn’t reasonably prepare at home. Good BBQ should leave customers feeling satisfied with both the food and the value, not questioning why they paid so much and were asked to tip on top of it.
• AT

  Alicia Trigo

  Oct 3, 2026
  5.0
  Can't drive by without smelling the heavenly smell of Barbeque. Ordered online, very easy, and picked up order in short time. Hardest part was driving home smelling deliciousness. Meat was so flavorful and tender. Hard Times BBQ will be my go to whenever I'm craving "Q"!