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    Breakwater Barbecue

    4.3 (461 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    BREAKWATER BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Breakwater Barbecue

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    Ribs, Brisket, Cornbread, Beans & Greens
    Bethany W.

    My family came on a Saturday afternoon and it was ofc pretty busy. We waited a bit in line and unfortunately waited a LONG time for our food. There is a good amount of seating; we found a nice covered table outside. We tried the ribs (yummy!), brisket (a bit dry and not too flavorful), cornbread (so good!), and beans & greens (6/10). The bbq sauces are fantastic. The sandwich is what took super long. They accidentally gave it to another customer and gave us more free ribs & brisket as we waited, which was really nice. I'm giving 4 stars for the price to portion size ratio. This place is pricey and the portions were pretty small. Without the free meat (for waiting years) we would've left hungry. This is a fun place with solid food.....but not worth the wait and price in my opinion!

    Susan M.

    Came here right when it opened on a Saturday. There was a line but it moved quickly. We ordered a combo platter with 2 ribs, 2 slices of brisket, 1 sausage, and 2 sides. Beer selection was great - lots of local California brews. Ribs: 5/5 Delicious - didn't even need sauce Brisket: 5/5 - juicy and tender Sausage: 2/5 - way too much pepper flavor for me Mac n cheese: 3/5 - pretty decent, but again too heavy on the pepper I'd come back for the ribs and brisket! Staff were friendly and tables were plentiful (though inside filled up quickly after opening).

    Outside
    Raymond G.

    Great bbq spot with a nice sized parking lot. The staff there are friendly and fast, and it was very cozy inside. The food is amazing! The brisket melts before you even chew it. The ribs can be pulled off the bone with a piece of their tallow cooked tortillas. What impressed me is that everything seems to be hand made in house, the sauces, pickles, sausage, tortillas. Everything was delicious, it wasn't just the meat.

    Texas sheet cake
    Lynnelle E.

    Finally, went to the new location and it's nice. It's bigger and has plenty of parking. The food is just as delicious as I remember. My only request is, they need to bring the beef rib back. I heard it's been a while since it's been back.

    Bbq smoker

    Brisket is the Best I've had in forever!!! Cornbread was amazing slaw good birria tacos amazing we were passing through town we had huge appetites forgot to take pictures of our food But it was definitely the best BBQ I had great customer service Manager was Great !!! Thank you see ya soon

    Brisket melt
    Nina L.

    Made our way to Breakwater on our last trip to half moon bay. They moved locations since our last visit. It was way busier this time but it was also a holiday weekend and a gorgeous day. The outdoor patio is still dog friendly. The food is still great and are big portions. I had a brisket sandwich with a small side of chili. My husband had a brisket melt. Both delicious and filling.

    Texas trinity pus extra meats and tortillas
    Patrick B.

    Best brisket and ribs that I've ever had in norcal by a significant margin (think they'd be middle of the pack in texas, but that's still a huge get for the Bay). Handmade tortillas in beef tallow were spectacular, but since they brought them out 15 minutes before the rest of our food came, they definitely weren't as warm or soft as they could have been. Sausage, pulled pork, and sides were all decent. Sauces were a big letdown, which isn't particularly important with texas style bbq, but it feels like it'd be an easy oversight to correct. Service, vibes inside, decor, live music, all spectacular - it was packed and I'm honestly surprised there weren't even more people.

    Fred T.

    It was the okayest of times it was the worst of times...... Dickens aside, that sums up our experience here. Backwater has been on our to visit list for a while now and since we were at the nurseries there (post pumpkin festival madness we took the opportunity to stop by. Nice big space and the staff was friend and on point. The draft I ordered was served in a cold glass and was tasty. The food..... Brisket Bahn Mi: Okay I know Bahn Mi at a BBQ place but hey it was on the menu and it was a mess. This just did not work. Way too much mayonnaise, and while the description did not claim the cucumber and carrots were pickled, had they been, it may have helped things. Good burnt ends are glorious but these look like they had trimmed a regular slice and then griddled them. They had a really overly tough mouthfeel and required a fair amount of chewing to get through. Baja Fish Tacos: The cod was well fried, moist and tasty. The aioli added a bit of heat and richness, but the slaw just did not work. The slaw was super bland and it one noted these tacos in a subtraction by addition way. Its a pity as again the fish was great but it desperately needed a acidic element to it like say pickled onions. The Burger: The burger was actually really good and makes the top 15 at #12. The meat was tasty and well seasoned. The chopped brisket on the top added a nice element and I wanted more of it. The caramelized onions added a nice sweet element to it. The fixing were fresh and the bun while soft held up. It was a well executed burger Potato Salad: Its was good. I normally prefer a chunky style but this one had good flavor and was quite good. unlike the slaw it seemed to be well seasoned Because we did not get the brisket I will defer a BBQ ranking despite the disappointing burnt ends. There is plenty of parking and there is a proper intersection at the junction which can be an issue on Hwy 1. Burger and BBQ standings 1) The Office Burger - Fathers Office - Los Angeles, CA 2) The Best Damn Cheeseburger - 4505 Burger and BBQ, San Francisco, CA 3) Burger - Moo's Craft BBQ- Los Angeles, CA 4) Tie: Ed's Favorite, King City Grill, King City, CA 4) Tie: Bacon Cheeseburger - Cafe Arbor, Stanford, CA 6) The Big Boy, Big Boy, Indian Springs, NV 7) The Hot Farmer, The Barn, Half Moon Bay, CA 8) The C&H Burger, Clove and Hoof, Oakland, CA 9) Cheese Burger, Sketchers Food Spot, Gardenia, CA 10) Burger, Dad's Luncheonette, Half Moon Bay, CA 11) Single Burger, Paper Plate, Long Island City, NY 12) Breakwater Burger, Breakwater BBQ, El Granada, CA RIP Golden State - Los Angeles, CA LOCOL - Oakland, CA Dan Gordons - Palo Alto, CA Inaugural BBQ Rankings: 1 - Moo's Craft BBQ - Los Angeles, CA 2- 4505 Burgers & BBQ - San Francisco, CA 3 - Salinas City BBQ - Salinas, CA 4 - Chicken In A Barrel - Kapaa, HI 5 - Kinder's Meats Deli BBQ - Walnut Creek, CA 6 - Mighty Quinn's Barbeque - West Village, NY 7 - Armadillo Willy's BBQ, Los Altos, CA RIP Texas Smokehouse BBQ - San Jose, CA Horn BBQ - Oakland, CA

    Pulled pork
    Janet T.

    I was in town and wanted to get some brisket from here. I decided to try the salad this time and it did not disappoint. Fresh lettuce and crunchy croutons with the addition of the brisket was perfect. I didn't want anything too heavy, so the salad was a great option for me. When I am in town, I would get food here. Service is fine and plenty of seats inside and outside the place.

    Ridiculously large brisket sandwich
    Kit W.

    The Bay Area tends to be a wasteland of bbq. What should be reasonably priced accessible food is either not done well or stratospherically expensive. Breakwater is definitely not cheap but it was pretty good. I felt like both the potato salad and the Cole slaw could use a bit of salt, an my brisket was not bad. And not bad brisket is something not many places can claim - a lot of the bbq places in the Bay Area pass off way worse. After seeing them, the brisket sandwich was the way to go - I think they heaped on as much or more meat on the bun (one of our party's sandwich was ridiculously large) and you got both buns rather than one slice.

    A little bit of everything! Chili fries, brisket, ribs, beef rib, and cornbread

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Breakwater Barbecue

    Is there outdoor seating where dogs are allowed?

    yes, there is outdoor seating where dogs are allowed. I have bought my dog there before.

    Does the outdoor section have heaters?

    No it does not

    What kind of oils does your kitchen use?

    Beef tallow, and canola

    Will you be open Friday, day after Thanksgiving?

    They'll be closed that day. Holiday hours are posted on their website https://www.breakwaterbbq.com/contact

    View All 6 Questions

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    I absolutely love everything about Spangler's Market. It's clean, welcoming, affordable, and…read moreincredibly convenient--exactly what you want from a neighborhood corner store. The layout is thoughtfully organized, making it easy to find everything you need without any hassle. One of my favorite things is their selection of local products and specialty foods. From gourmet instant pastas and fresh cinnamon breads to Strauss milk, ice cream, and other delicious treats, there's always something great to discover. I can quickly grab ingredients for a healthy home-cooked meal, which has helped me save money and avoid unnecessary waste from overbuying. They even carry unique items like elk meats and savory jerky for when you're feeling a little adventurous. The meat department is outstanding--the marinated chicken is a must-try, and the beef is always fresh and high quality. And the deli? Hands down one of the best around. Their signature sandwiches are incredible--fresh, flavorful, and made with care. It's the kind of place where you go in for a few items and end up leaving with an amazing sandwich you can't wait to eat. What really sets Spangler's apart is the people. The staff is consistently friendly, helpful, and professional. Their positive attitude makes every visit a great experience. Spangler's truly rocks. I'll definitely be back again and again!

    Nice neighborhood market with fantastic deli and yummy sandwiches.I got one of their special of the…read moreday sandwiches which was turkey,swiss with pesto.I also got a potato salad that had bacon and cheese. The market also has a nice produce section

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    Gherkin's Sandwich Shop

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    You could fly by this hidden gem when driving on Highway 1, BUT you would be missing out on some of…read morethe best sandwiches around!!! I came here with my cousin who wouldn't stop raving about this sandwich I "had to try". So he, my kids, and I took a drive. Walking in, I really appreciated the cleanliness of the place. They also had a really cool floor that looked like you were standing on the beach. Grade: A The service was great! The person who took my order was patient and very helpful when I was trying to figure out food for my son. I didn't know that they also served breakfast items until noon. I ordered the #27 Nor Cal, a kid's burger for my daughter, and so thankful they offered pancakes for my son. Service grade: A Let's get started on the main attraction for me...the #27 NorCal. There are so many choices on the menu that I really want to highlight how great this one is! I ordered it with Dutch crunch per recommendation from my cousin. The NorCal comes with chicken, teriyaki, peanut sauce, pepper jack cheese, mayo, onions, sprouts, and tomatoes. Yes, peanut sauce. The bread was toasted to perfection and soaked up the sauciness. I'm the first to admit that my cousin was 100% right! I really loved this sandwich. The flavors and quality were off the charts. This sandwich easily goes into my top 5 all-time. Wow! Grade: A+ I really appreciated that they have a kids menu! My son had the pancakes. He usually complains anywhere we go, but he actually turned to me and said that he liked these pancakes. I picked one up and I must saw they were thick, fluffy, and delicious. The fact that my son was happy, made our visit all the more better. Grade: A My daughter had the kid's cheeseburger. The burger was a 1/4 lb and came with a generous portion of fries. The French fries were crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned. The French roll used for the burger may be the best French roll I've had. (Of course I had to try it) haha The outer part had an easy chew and the inner part was like a pillow. I only tried the bread, but my daughter was overall content. The cheeseburger was a good size for her. Things that I want to try next time include their sourdough bread that looked fantastic, their flan, and this bbq beef sandwich that looked insane! There are also a few other sandwiches that looked good on the menu...chicken marinara and provolone, a honey mustard one, and the other was a California club. I'm still thinking about my sandwich a day later so it may take a few visits before trying others. Apparently this spot is a not-so-hidden gem to others as while we were there, the place filled up fast! When we were leaving, a line had formed and the staff readily took care of everyone. I guess it's a known spot. Gherkin's in Montara will be a must-stop any time I'm remotely near it if not even at home...it's worth the drive! Thank you Gherkin's!

    I was in the area for three days in a row and kept driving past this sandwich spot, so I finally…read moredecided to stop in and check it out. One thing to know: avoid the lunchtime rush if you're in a hurry. It gets busy, and with only two people working, the hot sandwiches can take a little while to come out. That said, the service was friendly . The sandwiches are huge--which is exactly what you'd hope for when you're paying $16-$20. I ordered the Go Green sandwich and added bacon. It was delicious, although I would have liked a little more pesto. Even so, it was filling enough that I had it for both lunch and dinner. I also picked up sandwiches for four other people, and everyone enjoyed theirs. If you're a sandwich lover and find yourself in the area, Gherkins is definitely worth checking out. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm nearby.

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    Inside Seating
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    Dad's Luncheonette

    Dad's Luncheonette

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    Came here on a Sunday around noon and there were a few open empty seats inside as well as some…read moretables outside, but there were people at the restaurant. it's an order at the counter type of place. ~the food~ - Hamburger sandwich: pretty good! I really liked the pickled onion and the choice of white cheddar. I'd say overall it wasn't as greasy as a full burger which I really appreciated! - Mushroom sandwich: out of the 2 sandwiches this one was my favorite! The Maitake mushrooms were very tender and flavorful! - Homemade Potato chips: staff told us that this tends to sell out before the end of the day, but we were lucky enough to get an order of them and they were very very good! The addition of nutritional yeast in the seasoning added a lot of great to the chips! - Herb salad: super refreshing salad, this salad is made with all herbs and the lemon dressing that they used was very light and refreshing, which I think balanced out the rest of the meal! ~overall~ I definitely recommend dad's luncheonette for a quick bite. The staff were very friendly and the food was really good. Everything tasted very fresh and not too heavy.

    Looking at other reviews after eating here, I think I'd go back to try the mushroom burger. I…read morewouldn't go back to eat what I already tried in this visit. Food We ordered 3 burgers, a curry carrot coconut milk soup, and their cream dessert. Burgers were nice, but nothing super special. They were served on sliced bread instead of burger buns. What made the burger interesting were the pickled onions and over medium/hard egg. The soup was fun to try, but not amazing. Carrots could've been softer, the seeds had a fun texture. Coconut milk could've been more blended in. My husband enjoyed the dessert. Service A fairly neutral experience. There's a long line to order, the cashier is nice enough, and then they call out your name to receive your order. Ambiance It's a cute little restaurant just off of highway one. Most of the seating is outdoors in the parking lot. There's lots of tree coverage. Inside the restaurant it has surf shack vibe.

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    Sam's Chowder House

    Sam's Chowder House

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    The ocean views with outside seating is very nice. This used to be my favorite restaurant. I…read moreordered a smoked salmon salad and was very disappointed. It looked like it was prepared in quantity and scooped out onto a plate. I was told the tomatoes were blanched which were not tasty. Next time I'm in HMB I'll try a different restaurant. I gave a 4 because the service was good.

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    Barbara's Fishtrap

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    Came here after watching a recommendation from tik tok. And around 11 ish the line was not to bad…read more The usual wait time can be 30plue minutes. We tried the famous fish and chips, garlic bread with crab meat and topped with cheese and also the calamari. The fish and Chips you can choose cold slaw or French fries. We opted for the French fries. The fish is so juicy and fresh. One order comes with 4 pieces of fish and a good amount of French fries. They garlic bread with crab and toasted with cheese was really flavorful. It has a relatively decent amount of crab meat. It's fresh crab meat and it's not to salty of fishy like some places. The calamari are small squid pieces but fried to perfection. Not overly seasoned or oily. The tartar sauce was amazing with every item we ordered. Will definitely come back again for the fish and chips

    My sister and I came here for some seafood after crabbing on the pier next door. The takeout line…read morewas around 30+ people at 1PM, and it took 45 minutes between us joining the line and receiving our food. The dine-in line was a 2-hour wait when we arrived and had closed for the day by the time we left. In general, I'm not the type of person to wait for food no matter how good it is, and unfortunately I didn't think Barbara's Fishtrap was anything too special. My sister and I shared a mini fish-trap combo, Caesar salad, and a cup of soup-- we had almost 30% leftover. The variety of seafood in the combo is really nice! But I thought the breading was soggy and in general just really needed the sauce for a punch of flavor. The fried zucchini was by far the best thing we ate (it was seriously to-die for), which feels wrong for a seafood combo. :P Service was friendly and were trying their best to help everyone, but wow we could tell they were super overwhelmed. :( Would not come back but glad I tried it, especially with such a neighborhood hype around this place!

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    The usual
    The usual
    Outdoor seating
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    INSIDE SEATING

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    INSIDE SEATING

    Breakwater Barbecue - bbq - Updated August 2026

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