05/12/09

The Best BBQ!!

by JaneyK

Delicious food, friendly service and extra clean. The ribs just melt in your mouth! I love the variety of homemade sides especially the Mac n Cheese and Roadside Veggies. They also have a few homemade pies. Did I mention fresh baked corn muffins?!! Yum! And great beer selection including Shiner Bock.

• Pros: Yummy Homemade BBQ
• Cons: Sometimes parking can be tricky

07/28/08

Impressed

by kennyc3

Wow - great BBQ right in the Richmond! I used to only go to Memphis Minnie's in town, but I have to say this place offers worthy competition.

• Pros: Solid BBQ
• Cons: Pricey, but that's the way it goes in SF.

06/29/08

BBQ that ROCKS!!!!!

by JordoK

This place is consistantly solid. I've been there numerous times, it is by far the best Q in the city. Meat falls off the bone, great sides and friendly service. Oh and by the way this place is so clean you would take your folks there! The brisket melts in yo mouth, tasty mac and cheese, and my mom said they had the best pecan pie she's ever had!!

• Pros: Great food, service, and always clean
• Cons: Sometimes gets a bit crowded

03/21/08

Just not that interesting...

by satherbrian

I rated Roadside 3 stars only because it's just about right on par with the rest of the BBQ joints here in SF. The meat is ok to good but the sauces are avg at best and the sides just are not that interesting. Please someone... open a really good BBQ joint in this city.

• Pros: At least you are not being served by someone who acts like they would rather be on break.
• Cons: Nothing interesting, too much vinegar in the sauce.

12/11/07

If you see Roadside BBQ, then keep on driving.

by bwong25

Tuesday, 12/11/2007: My girlfriend and I decided to eat at Roadside BBQ tonight for dinner. I've driven by this restaurant on Geary for the past few weeks and have been meaning to try it. It was disappointing. Our dinner was comprised of: a Full-Rack of Ribs for $19.95 with side dishes of Mac'N'Cheese for $2.95, Cole Slaw for $2.25 and Garlic Fries for $2.95.

We both agreed that the ribs were too dry and tough. Moreover, the ribs were also lukewarm in temperature. Within a few minutes of sitting at our table, the ribs were pretty much cold. Obviously I don't know for sure, but I imagine that the ribs were pre-cooked and probably re-heated when we ordered. Not very tasty.

The Mac'N'Cheese was okay, but my girlfriend really liked the Garlic Fries.

We were both disgusted with the Cole Slaw. For $2.25 I guess we were expecting a little more, but the portion was VERY small and had no taste whatsoever.

Overall, I really didn't like the food at Roadside BBQ. The worst part is that hours later the food doesn't sit in your stomach very well (which as a result is leading me to write this critique).

I understand that the restaurant owner of Roadside BBQ is also the same owner of "Pancho's," the Mexican restaurant also on Geary Blvd. I like Pancho's. However, I don't share the same love for this place.

Who knows? The chef may have had an "off" night. All in all, I would NOT recommend this restaurant based on my experience.

• Pros: Garlic Fries were good. The atmosphere of the restaurant is okay.
• Cons: Ribs were lukewarm and tough. Cole Slaw was disgusting.

06/28/07

Solid and consistent

by adams_eating

The food is solid BBQ. I've been there several times, and it's always tasty. Never a bad meal because it's consistent every time. Not outstanding or innovative, but good BBQ. Hey, sometimes you just need a plate of meat. Note that they're light on the BBQ sauce but there's extra available on the side.

• Pros: Solid and consitent BBQ; Traditional
• Cons: Lacks some innovation

Big-flavored meats cooked low and slow and served down-home on Geary Street.

by Joanna Currier

The "big guys" behind this inviting, diner-style Richmond District barbecue joint take their time (up to 13 hours) wood-smoking baby-back ribs, brisket and pulled pork for big-guy-sized plates and sandwiches. The menu breaks down larger dishes according to hunger levels, and even vegetarians have hearty choices (large salads, stuffed baked potatoes and black bean chili). Sides such as baked red beans, sweet potato fries and corn muffins are all made from scratch, as are the pies for dessert.

03/11/07

Roadside BBQ - Is it only for the Good Ole Boys?

by sifah

I ordered the brisket and ribs to go, along with mac n' cheese and potato salad. When I got home I found out they gave me burnt corn muffins. The brisket was tender but a little dry and bland. The Mustard sauce helped it out alot. The ribs had good heat and smoke, but were oversalted. The sides I had were average tasting and didn't really complement my meal. Unlike the other reviews, I found Roadside's customer service to be lacking. My impression is they give preferential treatment to White people. When I got to the counter, the cashier/server didn't greet me and when I left he didn't thank me for coming. As I was waiting for my food, I was sitting quietly looking around at the decor, at the prep station and also at the other customers (mostly all White) to see if they were enjoying their food. They all appeared to be satisfied so I was expecting a good experience and good food. This is when I noticed that the prep staff and cashier (all Hispanic men) seemed to be talking and snickering about me. I couldn't think of any reason why other than maybe they were not used to serving non-White customers. Then, when my food was ready, the cashier said, "your order is ready" (very dryly and with no smile), gave me the bag and turned to leave the counter. As he started to walk away, I told him "thank you" politely and received no response or acknowledgement. Unfortunately, this is indicative of the treatment I and other non-Whites customarily receive - even in places that are run or staffed by those in our same race/ethnic group. You would think that in a city as culturally diverse as San Francisco that differential treatment like this would not happen, but it comes as no surprise to any of us non-Whites. Fortunately, there are other places here where the only color and thing they care about is GREEN ($). I treat everyone with the utmost respect and don't think I am asking too much to be treated with at least common courtesy in return.

• Pros: Big portions, price
• Cons: Lack of customer service

02/22/07

Like being back home in Texas

by fjmartinez

I moved here to San Francisco in the Summer of 1999 from Texas. So I am often homesick for the taste of classic BBQ with the Texas flair. So the Christmas holiday season is the only time I can enjoy the slow-cooked flavor back home. I've tried Memphis Minnie's, Big Nate's and Brothers-in-law, but I was never satisfied. From sloppy food delivery, bad service, bad atittude towards customers.. etc.. So to my suprise pick-up a current issue of 7x7 Magazine with a good and inviting article on the newest bbq joint to come along. Roadside BBQ located on 2nd Avenue and Geary Street has a great location and is very inviting. When I walked through the front door I was overrun with most incredible aroma sending me back to my youth in South Texas. You know that It's good when It smells like HOME SLOW-COOKING in the kitchen. Let me say first, the menu is simple, inviting and delicious. I had "the Big Guy" combo plate it comes with any three meats, me I had the brisket, smoked bbq chicken and the pulled pork,....yummmo!. I couldn't pass on the ribs, so I ordered a full order of pork ribs and shared them with my friend. Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread......etc. its all Good at Roadside. This place reminds me of Mustang Creek Bbq in Louise, Texas. just outside of Houston, Texas. Next time I am home sick for the taste of back home, Roadside is that place for me. Try taking it a special event so take someone there for their birthday. My boots off to Roadside BBQ and I give them 10 Yellow Roses from Texas. Well done and saddle up for the wild ride.

02/20/07

I WANT SOME MORE! Best bbq so far.

by scorpus70

Forget Memphis Minnies and Big Nate's.... Roadside is it! Try their Memphis pulled pork, so moist and succulent. Delicious! Ribs and other slow bbq meats are also to die for. So many sides to choose from and all made from scratch. Definetly try their homemade dipping sauces , especially the 3 mustard mop sauce. Awesome!

• Pros: delicious food, good priced
• Cons: cant think of one