Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aku BBQ Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Aku BBQ

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Pop-Up Restaurants 118 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Lofi Smoke & Grill

    Lofi Smoke & Grill

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Lofi Smoke and Grill is the BEST BBQ in Ventura County hands down. For so many years I'd been eager…read moreto find a spot that truly served up 5 star BBQ and after trying a few spots I was disappointed and the hunt continued. Thankfully due to a supper club hosted by Yelp Central Coast I was finally able to try them and I fell in love. Lofi was everything I had been searching for and then some. Fast forward to them being on my mind for months I had the opportunity to give them another try at one of their pop up events. The lines proved that everyone in the community loves Lofi as much as me! Family owned and operated this business is all about good vibes, teaching others about west coast bbq, their love for feeding their community and no ego. Steve and the family truly want you to have a wonderful experience and make you feel at home both with their kindness and the food that they put on your plate. Supporting them in this bbq community has been a refreshing experience as they are so kind and open to feedback. I love that they have fun pop ups opposed to a standard brick and mortar. They chose this because they truly want their bbq to be accessible and available to those that don't always have the opportunity to try them. They definitely give back to their community and supporting them is a win for our small but mighty 805 community. Okay now on to the food! Claiming anything is the "best" in the 805 is a bold move but I stand behind the flavors and complexity that Lofi brings to the table. West Coast BBQ makes me feel proud to be from CA as I've had bbq all over the states and they are doing us proud here. They have a killer bbq sauce that's the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Their meats and proteins are always cooked to perfection and juicy! My two favorite meats they do hands down is their 1. Brisket and 2. Pulled Pork. Their brisket is so flavorful and I love the little bit of fattiness that comes through. Also having never been a pulled pork girl, Lofi changed the game for me - so good and the flavors are on point. Another bite worth mentioning are their ribs, great seasoning and generous portions. I like to cut all of the heaviness of the bbq with their coleslaw. Makes for the perfect bite. I know they have a good amount of other sides but I'll need to give them a try. I am so beyond happy that we have Lofi BBQ in the 805. Their family couldn't be nicer and more welcoming. They are doing good work out here and I'll definitely continue to support them and spread the word on this amazing bbq spot.

    Usually I only review restaurants but yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a private pop up…read moreevent. Lofi Smoke & Grill BBQ & Pleasant Burgers where in the house!!!!! Both were AMAZINGLY delicious. Move over CJ's, there's a newcomer in town. The pull pork was bursting with flavor, my tastebuds and some of my senses went wild. They didn't know what hit them. The meat was tender, soft, moist and thick. As you brought that pull pork sandwich close to your mouth, you could smell the smoked pork. Once it hit your mouth, it mushed and was easy to chew. It's shredded look was deceiving because it looked firm but this meat was juicy. They were generous with the serving so every bite was a mouthful. Good quality meat, smoked and season just right. Served on a yummy buttery bun with a kickass mildly spicy sauce. I'm telling you the flavor was off the hook. I highly recommend this BBQ for your catering needs. IN-N-Out got nothing on Pleasant Burgers. These burgers are IN!!!!! These burgers were juicy, and flavorful. It took me back to a little nostalgia. If you ever tasted Top Hat in Ventura, it reminded me of those burgers. It had that authentic homemade burger taste. Their grilled onions took it up a notch. If you were lucky enough to try the "Pile" then you went home a happy camper. Having the pull pork added to the cheeseburger was to die for....Uhhhh....YUM!!!!! Winning food experience for sure. Don't sleep on this.

    Photos
    Lofi Smoke & Grill - Chopped & Screwed - Brisket Sandwich

    Chopped & Screwed - Brisket Sandwich

    Lofi Smoke & Grill - Pecan Smoked Chicken

    Pecan Smoked Chicken

    Lofi Smoke & Grill

    See all

    Backdoor Bento - Bento Box pork belly

    Backdoor Bento

    4.7(24 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This is a tricky one! On Oak street, behind Bank of Italy - Cocktail Trust, you will see a sign and…read morea door on the sidewalk. This is pick up only, no dining in whatsoever. You order through the QR code and they only have one option which is the Bento Box for $16. You can however choose from 7 different options, 4 of which are additional pricing between +$2-$3 (spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or seafood trio - which is all of above). The bento box consists of seasoned rice, braised kombu, marinated egg, cucumber sunomono, scallion, togarashi, pickled ginger, and one choice of protein (salmon flakes, chashu pork belly, roasted "unagi" eggplant for the non-additional cost). You pick up by walking inside the opening and down a small hall where Strange Beast's kitchen is (right after the restrooms) to pick up. The food itself was fresh! Loved the protein from the seafood trio and the seasoned rice. Egg was soft but downside was it was cold. The only thing I didn't like was the cucumber and picked ginger taking up half of the box. Loved the meal overall and would definitely come back again.

    Backdoor Bento is exactly what the name suggests. Look for the A-frame on the sidewalk outside the…read moredoor on Oak Street behind Cocktail Trust. Head inside, walk down the hallway, and you'll end up right outside their kitchen. It's low-key, no-frills, and very much an if-you-know-you-know spot. This is the same kitchen behind Cocktail Trust and Strange Beast, so expectations are already high and they absolutely deliver. They're open daily from 12 to 4 pm and specialize in grab-and-go Japanese-style lunch boxes that are naturally gluten free and made to order. Each bento comes with rice, cucumber sunomono, marinated egg, braised kombu, and your choice of protein. Options include chashu pork belly, salmon flakes, roasted eggplant "unagi" (vegan), spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or the seafood trio. I'm obsessed with the seafood trio. Fresh, flavorful, and always hits. They also offer sake, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, which feels like a nice bonus for a quick lunch stop. You can order directly on their website for pickup or delivery, which makes it super convenient. Parking is easy for downtown. There's usually green zone parking right outside the door, along with paid street parking and a free public lot just a short walk up the street. Portions are satisfying without being heavy, and everything feels thoughtfully balanced. It's fast, consistent, and one of those hidden-gem lunch spots you're glad you know about, especially if you work or spend time downtown.

    Photos
    Backdoor Bento - Location for pickup

    Location for pickup

    Backdoor Bento - Salmon Flakes Bento Box ~ Beautifully put together!

    Salmon Flakes Bento Box ~ Beautifully put together!

    Backdoor Bento - Entrance

    See all

    Entrance

    Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Awesome Tempura Fish Taco

    Spencer Makenzie's Fish

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    This place might feel like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's right in the heart of Ventura -- and it…read moreabsolutely delivers. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming. Great bar setup, relaxed atmosphere, and a fun, lively environment without feeling overwhelming. The service was super friendly -- the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. Now the food... excellent across the board. The fish and chips were battered perfectly -- light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Not greasy, just done right. My son ordered the carne asada tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. He loved the seasoning and the flavor. I had the ahi burger, and it was cooked perfectly -- great texture, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. My wife ordered the original fish tacos, and they were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and great quality overall. One thing we really appreciated was the three different house sauces they offer. Each one was excellent and totally changes the experience depending on your palate. Whether you like something sweet, spicy, or slightly tangy to balance everything out, they've got you covered. It's a nice touch that lets everyone customize their meal. You can really taste the freshness in everything. It's a great family-friendly spot but also perfect if you just want to hang out at the bar and enjoy good food and good vibes. We had an awesome time and will definitely be back.

    I saw the reviews and thought this place was a "must try." Unfortunately, I was not impressed at…read moreall. My clam chowder tasted like bacon, overwhelmingly so. I could not taste anything else but that. Now don't get me wrong; I love bacon. However, here it was simply too overpowering making it not taste like clam chowder. I also had grilled fish tacos. Looking at them and eating them, I was concerned that they were not grilled at all. You can tell when fish has been grilled; there should be signs on the fish but they were not here. Unfortunately, it is not a place I will go back to. Clam chowder is one of my favorites and there are many other places around with better chowder.

    Photos
    Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Inside pic #1

    Inside pic #1

    Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Tempura Fish and Chips

    Tempura Fish and Chips

    Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Carne Asada  Street Tacos

    See all

    Carne Asada Street Tacos

    Aku BBQ - popuprestaurants - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...