I came on a Friday night and it's not really crowded. The cashier seems lost and not focus. After taking the order of the person ahead of me, the cashier left and had me wait in line for about 10 minutes without saying anything. Finally took my order and had to wait for about 15 minutes. I ordered the burnt end and my wife ordered the bbq chicken. Mine was tough, flavorless and dry , won't order it again. Wish I just ordered the brisket or tri tip. The bbq chicken is alright. My side dishes were messed up, my beans was missing and also my wife's potato salad. I had to follow up several times before I got them. For me, the best I had was the garlic bread and the bbq sauce. I am not sure if I'll be back. Might as we just go to Mission St. Bbq. read more

Decided to stop by here for lunch on a whim. I forgot how good Aptos BBQ is! It's been awhile since I've eaten here and I'm not sure why? The meat is always SO tender and flavorful. They are always consistent, I've never been here and had a bad plate of food. Today I got the regular bbq chicken sandwich with a side of coleslaw (I dump it in my sandwich) and wow. So filling and delicious! My partner got the BBQ spud with brisket and my kids got their littles plate of tri-tip, choice of side and either corn bread or garlic bread. Just for $10! Not bad! The service was quick but we also came when it was empty. So that left lots of seating options! They also have a good selection of beer on tap! Only issue is parking can be tricky! Definitely check this place out! Way easier to get to than Mission St. BBQ (IYKYK) read more

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Aptos St. BBQ never disappoints, it is the spot for flavorful, well-smoked barbecue in a fun, relaxed setting. The meats are tender and packed with smoky goodness, and the delicious sides perfectly complement the meal. Tri-tip is juicy, ribs cooked just right, I love the sandwiches too and the spicy sauce is a must! The ambience is laid-back with outdoor seating and music in the evenings. The customer service is friendly and efficient, staff make you feel welcome. A great spot to grab a cold beer, great food and have a good time. read more

Below is my review after I left the restaurant last night. Today, Bonnie contacted me and apologized profusely. She went above and beyond to make it right and assured me this is not the culture they promote at their restaurant. We will return to their restaurant because the food and music was very good and until the bread pudding incident, we were very happy with everything. Original review...... I ordered the bread pudding, but they gave me the berry cobbler. Told me to keep the cobbler and the bread pudding would take a couple of minutes. Next thing I know, a different waitress comes over and says since I kept the cobbler, I had to pay for the bread pudding! Embarrassing and totally unacceptable!!! read more

Had the Gaucho sandwich special tonight. Diced, butter-soft smoked beef brisket with provolone and chimichurri. Best thing I've put in my mouth in a long time. Everyone was friendly and there was live music. Bravo, Aptos BBQ!! read more

Great place for BBQ after hiking Nisene Parks. Indoor and outdoor, limited parking. Plenty of great bbq options read more

Food was decent but not very warm like it sat around for a bit. Not a hot and fresh vibe. Salads were good. Cool interior. Order and pick up at the front . read more

This was the BEST bbq if ever had in my life. 10/10. Brisket is insane. No words. We got the 3 meat with coleslaw and potato salad. My boyfriend got an extra side of mac and cheese. Everything was amazing. I never eat this much meat and my boyfriend and I scarfed everything down. If you are looking for good bbq come here. read more

Aptos St BBQ - Brisket, burnt ends, pork ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

I came back again (several times actually). This time I got the burnt ends and they were heavenly nuggets of gooey, caramelized, savory meaty goodness. The tri-tip today was good, but not amazing. The brisket sandwich is incredible as always--moist, salty, smoky well-marbled beef on soft garlic buttered sandwich bread. The pork ribs had great flavor, just the right amount of saltiness, and were soft enough to pull off the bone. The cornbread was pleasant with a slightly toasted texture. It came with a packet of honey and a pat of butter on the side. The potato salad was my favorite side. Mac and cheese had a creamy white cheesy sauce with soft, almost mushy macaroni, which I didn't much care for. I tried the beans, which were meh. The beans were heavy on a spice I didn't like, cumin maybe? I wouldn't re-order this. All of this delicious outdoor smoked barbecue paired well with the black cherry soda. There's also an option to add 1/4 lb meat to a side (like the baked potato) for $7. Service is just okay, but we're here for the food honestly. The interior is dimly lit and often has a great blues band on weekends, which really sets the vibe for a relaxed atmosphere. Next time I'll just order the burnt ends (perfection), ribs, and cornbread. I highly recommend this barbecue joint--it's the best of the all the ones ones I've tried in the greater Bay Area. read more

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One of the best BBQ places I've ever been too. A great range of meats but also the extras and salads that are huge and super fresh. Way too big but don't ever change! Amazing prices too. Cannot wait to come back!! Loveliest servers and team. Wow!!! read more

Aptos St BBQ - Humongous Berry Bleu Salad. Get it!! - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

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The service was good and the atmosphere was great...but the food......yuck! I'm so sorry I have to write this review..... The beans tasted like someone wasted chili powder in the whole batch. The Mac and cheese tasted like spoiled cheese, and the kids brisket had more fat on it than meat. The garlic bread's garlic was so overpowering that you could hardly enjoy the chopped beef. The ice machine was inoperable..the potato salad had a pink tinge and tasted like it had some weird powder mixture. The salad was a healthy choice but the added smoked chicken did not have a "smoked" taste..just regular cold chicken with no flavor. If you have had any of these menu items that tasted similar to my experience..give this message a thumbs up. read more

Aptos St BBQ - Berry Bleu Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

Wow! Best bbq ever! I threw a birthday party for hubby last weekend and ordered between 2-3 pds each of all the different meats. We had about 15 guests and plenty of food. Everyone showed because they knew Aptos bbq was providing the foods!! Everything was delicious- with the brisket being the most popular. 2nd to that were the hotlinks. The service was awesome- along with our hostess. Ordering was simple and all on the phone. Stormy had great suggestions and added all the plates, silverware, napkins, serving pieces we needed. We're regulars at Aptos bbq but this was the first time we used the catering services! I recommend them whole heartedly and will do this again! Laurie S. Aptos, Ca read more

This is a very inviting, friendly place with delicious barbecue and good live blues music. We were visiting the area from out of state and saw this place on yelp. The brisket and tri-tip were excellent and the sides were tasty too. And you can sit and listen to music for as long as you care to. It is definitely a place I'll come back to you when I visit the area again. read more

Aptos St BBQ was a convenient restaurant near State park Nisene Marks. Order at the counter and pickup your food. Food comes fast. They use a fancy soft drink dispenser. Food was slightly above average. Safety Pluses - Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering. Food Review: 2 Meat Meal ($26) pull pork was not as good as the ribs. Average, not special. 7.5/10 pork ribs were tender and sauced. Solid. 8/10 beans side had a slight kick. Average 7/10 mac cheese was better than expect. Not too cheesy. 7.5/10 garlic bread was average 7.5/10 Overall - Very Good Food - Very Good Decor - Very Good Service - Very Good Value - Good Would we come back - Maybe read more

We had an event for our employees and ASBBQ came through! They helped to deliver lunched to our 23 various sites through our Santa Cruz County and helped to feed over a 1,000 employees over the course of three days. Jane and Michael were super responsive and helpful. Our employees love this event because they love the food! When I had my opportunity to eat my meal, I was thoroughly satisfied with my choice. PAMF Aptos St. BBQ! read more

One of my favorite places to eat, Aptos st. BBQ is not only great food but great service. I'm from Kansas so I know good BBQ- the quality is delicious, the management is friendly and knowledgeable and the environment is clean and inviting! It's exactly what I'm craving when I come into town. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the area again and again!! read more

My friend and I recently visited this wonderful gem in Aptos while staying in Capitola. The service was exceptional, The food was amazing with the ambiance I'm definitely going back read more

They seem to be the only ones nowadays that are actually using Traditional methods of BBQ and really SMOKING the well prepared meat options . I started eating there and became a fan Since day one.Thats back when they were just a little hole in the wall with a couple tables and a single smoke outside . I'm happy for the and they've been doing well over the years expanding the business while delivering quality food. You can't go wrong eating here. The ribs then pulled pork outshine any barbecue joint I've had in California and the rest of their options are great as well, and everything is always consistent, which could be hard to find in some restaurants.. I recommend trying their desserts at least one time, but make sure you have an appetite still, or someone to share them with because they are like eating another meal . During the Holidays they offer some great specials including smoked Turkeys and Ham along with some other things for a limited time. I recommend the Smoked Ham and it will not disappoint read more

This has to be the best bbq around. I had the tri-tip, brisket burnt ends and the pork ribs. All three were done perfectly. read more

Aptos St BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

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Wow, delicious food. Mac & cheese was great and I hear the mac & cheese bowl with pulled pork on top is to die for. We tried the pulled pork and it was so delicious this place really should have a Michelin star read more

Aptos St BBQ - Pulled pork sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

Oh my god this place was so good. Amazing bbq. Slowly cooked where the meat fell off the bone. Brisket was tender and juicy as fuck. 5/5. Their spicy bbq sauce was one of the best ive had. Good balance of heat and tangyness. 6/5 for the sauce. Corn bread was meh. Needed to be bit sweeter imo. 2/5 Mac and cheese, bomb. 5/5 Come to this spot if in aptos read more

Food was great, came out fast, and was pretty reasonable for quality bbq. Beer selection was solid, and live music a plus. We'll come back next time we're in town! read more

Aptos BBQ makes some great stuff. They have really nailed it on their smoked meats, particularly their brisket, trip tip, and pulled pork. When I arrived at 6 pm on a Thursday night I was informed they were completely sold out of all the meats with the exception of the pulled pork (even though it was listed on the sold out chalk board pictured below.) If you visit their website, you'll see their hours listed as 7 am - 9 pm "or sold out" and they take that last part seriously so don't bet on coming here late unless you call ahead first to confirm they still have inventory to sell. The vibe is lively here every night starting at 6 with their rotation of different bands coming in to share their music. Customers are a mix of families, college students, locals and tourists alike and seating can get tight during these hours. I typically order one of the bbq meals which comes with a couple sides and a piece of bread of you're choice (corn bread, garlic bread, etc...) My only gripe with the bbq plate is that the sides are very small. They're only slightly larger than the cups they provide for their BBQ sauce. Sides are so easy to make and they're inexpensive for restaurants, I wish they would be a little more generous with these portions on their plates. read more

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All I can say is Wow! Everything was just super. Nice people. Rustic building with mountain bike parts and decor. Beer and other drinks in bottles/cans and countless beers on tap. The food was incredibly scrumptious! Brisket, chicken, beans and coleslaw were all excellent. I think it's the best BBQ I have ever experienced. So glad we stopped in! read more

Aptos St BBQ - Half chicken, brisket, beans and slaw. - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

The food was really great and the salads were really good coming from a BBQ place if you know what I mean. The place itself was great there was live music inside, the vibes were great. The food came out quick but the servers did I miss an item. Overall the place was a great dinner spot for the fam. read more

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In the area and looking for bbq. We had the 4 meat special with two sides. Ordered the spicy hot link, pork ribs, brisket and tri tip. For the sides we got the last bit of mac and cheese and also had potato salads. The meal came with a piece of cornbread. I'd give the place an overall 3.5, which rounds up to a 4. The brisket which they said they were known for was not very good so I was surprised they bragged about it. Maybe we got a bad piece. The sides were awesome and the meats were all right but not super tender. You order at the counter and wait till they call your number. Pretty much a self serve kind of place but everyone is friendly. A very causal vibe going on. Will probably try a different BBQ place when we're in the area. read more

Delicious BBQ! We have loved visiting this restaurant for years. Great food, atmosphere, and staff. Our favorites include the brisket sandwich and mac and cheese. Everything is so good. read more

Saw add on facebook and decided to try the place. Awesome food and service. Easy access and along the bike lane. Manager was great!!

I tried the combo meal with 2 meats and I picked the ribs + pulled pork. For the sides, I also tried the Mac and cheese and coleslaw with cornbread. My favorite is definitely the ribs and it's tender with smokiness. It even came with cartilage. I also love the Mac and cheese + the coleslaw. Coleslaw is very refreshing to eat and on a lighter sauce side. Cornbread is ok and not as fluffy as I thought it would be. I think next time when I come back, I'll try the garlic bread instead. read more

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I remember Aptos.  I stayed in a tree house. https://www.hungryones.com/2019/07/aptos-airbnb/ There were lovely redwoods all around.  Loved the scent of the forest.  A bbq joint was in town. https://www.hungryones.com/2019/07/aptos-airbnb/ I return to once again try the bbq at Aptos St Bbq.  I followed the delicious bbq scent to the smokers on the side of the building.  Wood was stacked to be sacrificed for the feast.  I ordered a half rack of ribs.  Ribs were tender and smoky.  Bbq sauce added a sweet flavor.  I loved the smoky pork with the sweet sauce.  I rate them among my favorite ribs. Pulled pork had a nice looking bark but the pork was overcooked and the bark too hard to eat.  I did like the smoky flavor.  Adding a bit of the original bbq sauce added some tasty sweetness. Route 11 bbq chips were crunchy with a mix of sweet and smoky flavor. These are among my fav potato chips. Staff was nice and got the food out quickly.  It was a lovely drive up the coast to Aptos.  Next time I'll get a full rack of ribs and eat the leftovers for breakfast. I remember redwood trees, bumper cars and wolverines The ocean's Trident submarines Lemons, limes and tangerines I remember this I remember California - REM read more

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How in gods green earth have I not been here sooner!!!! One of the best barbecue I have ever had. Ribs with sides of coleslaw, cornbread and Stubborn soda. 20years in the bay and it is only now I experienced heavenliness twice; once in the morning on a hike in Nisene Marks and lunch thereafter here!!!!!! read more

Aptos St BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

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Well worth it! I was staying in Capitola and wanted something different than I generally get when in the area and thought I would give Aptos St BBQ a try. I could not decided which meat I wanted to try so I just played it safe and went with the four meat option. I had the burnt ends.... yummy caramelized chunks of meat, pulled pork.... the right amount of salt and tasted even better dipped in the BBQ sauce.... brisket was so tender and so flavorful that no BBQ sauce was needed.... tri tip, again so tender and flavorful, cooked to perfection, pink around the edges so you could tell it was slow cooked. I paid the extra $1 to upgrade to a baked potato, this thing was so big that three people could have shared it. Cooked perfectly, I was afraid being so large that the center may not be cooked through but it was. For my second side I requested the mac n cheese, but I can't review it as they did not pack it in my bag. I was disappointed but was not going to drive back after already being sat down next to a warm fire ready to eat for the first time that day. I had enough food to satisfy me for dinner and then again for lunch the following day. Service was great. Being my first time I asked questions and the young man at the register was very helpful. Again, the only thing I was not happy about is that they left one dish out and it was clearly printed on my receipt. Location was a little tight, parking was sparse but still able to find a spot. Since I did not dine in I can't really speak on it, but it looked comfy and seemed to have enough seating to accommodate a large party if you came with a bunch of friends. read more

Brisket was very good and I loved the sauce that came with it. I really do wish the portions were a little bigger just because of how good it is and especially the sides, they were pretty small but sooo good. I loved the inside and how they made their own sauces, it was a nice place with good decor. They also had great outside seating! Will be back soon read more

We hosted a potluck BBQ for a bunch of friends where everyone brought a side dish. We used Aptos BBQ to cater the chicken and ribs. The chicken was good, but the ribs were fantastic. No leftovers of them. The package included plates, napkins, utensils, sauce, etc. It was so simple, just unpack and eat. No doubt we'll use them again. read more

My husband really liked the salad and the pork ribs fell off the bone. They had blackberry soda and pineapple soda that was very refreshing. read more

Aptos St BBQ - Brisket and pork ribs, coleslaw slaw and mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California

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Awesome bbq along with great sides. Brisket was moist and had a lot of flavor. I'd put it up there with some of the best that I have had. Nice craft beer menu as well. Staff were nice and friendly. Definitely will be back whenever I am in town! read more

Wow, if you happen to pass by Aptos, you must try this sandwich spot. The staff is accommodating and friendly. Love the vibe and deco all around. They even have a nice shady outdoor dining area Our sandwiches were delicious and so was the Mac n cheese. We got the tri tip and brisket, both recs of the staff and it didn't disappoint. read more

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Andrea is such a breath of fresh air! She gladly takes your requests and truly delivers a welcoming experience. The BBQ smells just heavenly. I ordered a brisket sandwich, cole slaw, corn bread and some burnt ends. Delicious and very satisfying. This was my first visit, but definitely not my last. read more

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This was quite literally the best BBQ I have ever eaten in my entire life. If I am ever in the area again I will definitely eat here.

This has been my favorite BBQ spot for YEARS and I'll specifically make the trip down to Santa Cruz just to eat here. Everything is extremely on point and the portion are super generous as well. I always love to get their BBQ sandwiches if I'm taking it to-go to eat at the beach or their meat combos to share. Dining in is also always a great option, they sometimes have live music and a great beer selection to choose from! Service is always great and happy to assist with anything. read more

Aptos St BBQ - 3 Meat Combo - Barbeque Near Me - Aptos, California