Coming from Marin, my BBQ standards are basically, "Does it exist?" Well, today I finally had the real thing! I knew I was in the right place when the menu didn't have artisanal kale or a mushroom burger on it. I stopped in with my dad, who has consistently great things to say about CJ's. The customer service was excellent from the moment we walked through the front door. Friendly vibes all around- it seems like CJ's is a community spot. The patrons and staff knew each other on a first-name basis and were quick to include us in the conversation. The overall vibe is what made it a five-star experience for me, and it seemed to get busy shortly after we arrived. Our food was ready quickly, and it was delicious. It was a little over $100 for generous portions of ribs, chicken, hot and mild links, macaroni and cheese, beans, and bread. While we took our food to go, the restaurant was very clean, and I would have been happy to stay and eat there. I hope to try the peach cobbler in the future, but I was too full today to have room for it. read more

Omg Slap Your Mama Good Bbq!!! What a Hidden Gem of a BBQ Joint!!! When you Walk in you know you're in the Right Place!!! The Smells of Smoked Meat and Other Goodies being Made!!! Cjs Reminds me of a Juke Joint in the South. I liked how the Dining Room was Clean and Tidy!!! CJs is Located in the Richmond Hood area , So be aware of your surroundings!!! Don't be Caught Slipping Homie!!! I talked to CJs Son he was a Friendly and Knowledgeable Gentleman in the Art of Cooking Soul Food and the Art of Bbq and Smoking Meats!!! I Perused the Menus and opted for the Special CJs Rib Money Saver Special !!!! The CJs Rib Money Saver Special is 3 Ribs and a Side for $19.99 !!! I Ordered 2 of CJs Rib Money Saver Specials. With Baked Beans and Macaroni Salad!!!! I paid by Credit Card!!! While I was Waiting CJs Son hooked me up with some Samples of Their Food!!! I tried their Ribs, Beef Brisket , Links , Yams and Mac and Cheese!! Their Food is Off The Chain Good!!! My Food was Delivered To My Table Hot and Fresh!!! I opened my Container and My Pork Ribs were Generously Sauced with their Mild Bbq Sauce!!! The Rib's were Amazing and Delicious with a Zesty Sauce and Tender to the Touch and Tasted Heavenly !!!! The Ribs had a Nice Smoke Ring !!!! They even put the Smoked Ends under the Ribs!!! That was a Delicious Meal!!! I had to Try Their Homemade Peach Cobbler!!! So I Ordered a Peach Cobbler!! It was Warm , Sweet and Delicious!!! The Folks at CJs are Very Nice,Sweet and Hospitable!!! For All These Reasons, This Is A Baller On A Budget Approved Establishment!!!! Who's Going Too Check Me Boo ??? Certainly Not You Fool!!! Because I'm Gone With The Wind Fabulous!!! And I Keep My Pimp Hand Strong!! read more

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Me and my mamma wanted to try the BBQ after she enjoyed the potato salad not long ago. I ordered the ribs & link combo for her and a link order for myself. The links are beef, which was nice for me I stopped eating pork a year ago. The owner was so thoughtful, he gave us extra sides of potato salad at no charge. This guy is simply outstanding. My mamma enjoyed her dinner so much the only thing left was the rib bones. The beef links were tasty, the BBQ sauce added an extra kick to the meat, we were both happy. read more

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Only ordered greens, very vinegary & salty. Had to put them in a strainer to rinse the vinegar/salt out. Tasted a little better. I'll give them another visit and order something different. read more

Let me start by saying that I have patronized this business for years, often buying food for office parties, and everything was fine. Today I looked CJs up online and placed an order for a three way combination based on the published price of $27. However, when I went to pick up my order I was told it was $44. I then showed the young man what i found online and he said "you gotta go on help, I can't do anything with that." He did, however, say I can take $40, but that's it. When I said I wasn't going to pay that he said ok, no problem. Needless to say, I won't be going back. Here is what I used to place my order read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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I went, you got a threeway combo today.Ribs chicken hot links. potato salad bake beans coleslaw slaw. It was all terrible, garbage , overpriced $45 and Nasty.How could they serve this $%#%#. Ugh awful . read more

Ive driven by this place few times and doing my second job and decided to stop in between gigs. CASH only. There is an ATM in the place. I haven't had catfish in a while and settled on the catfish nuggets, which comes with two sides. The standards available are fries, coleslaw, Mac salad, baked beans. For extra they got yams, greens, and Mac n cheese. I settled on the yams, and baked beans. It's freshly made to order took about 10 mins. He showed it to me upon completion and it looked so delicious. And true to a BBQ it came with two slices of bread. The catfish was cooked perfectly, and a huge portion. The yams definitely home made. I was expecting just regular baked beans, but these were bbqed and so delicious, I'd just order a big side of these to dip my bread in. This is on my list of regular place to come when I have to work in the area. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Catfish nuggets, baked beans, yams - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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Very over priced. We tried port ribs, sliced beef and fish. The meat was not tender at all. The BBQ sauce is drenched with too much sugar - way too sweet. Again, it's very overpriced. Won't go back. read more

This place is amazing the food is always great and the staff is also great highly recommended

This is where my favorite pork ribs reside. I love that they are drowning in their amazing BBQ sauce. Get the medium or spicy! You will not be disappointed! Sliced Beef and hot links should NOT be missed! The sides vary depending on when they run out and what they have that day but their potato salad, cornbread, greens and beans are my favorite. I can't get myself to not get the ribs every time I go (it's that good!). One of these days I really want to try the catfish and oxtail too! read more

Food/Service off the chain! Used to work for a mattress delivery company that delivered to the furniture store across the street. And would make my way over to CJ's BBQ & Fish for lunch. I'm from Fresno, the wife and I have traveled specifically for the catfish nuggets! read more

The worst bbq I've ever had. The portions were very small, ribs were in a soup of sauce and not many rubs for a 'regular' order. Four ribs on top of 4 tiny pieces. I was charged $5 for greens which were awful ( I couldn't eat and just threw away) and came in the tiniest of containers. The potato salad (in the same tiny container) were the only item of the three that resembled "soul food". And the prices were ridiculously high. Very disappointing.....definitely won't be going back. read more

Something is different. Call before you go. Never assume they have whatever you have had before. Staff is nice but the selections are few and they may or may not have dishes they once did. Nice waiting area no real ambiance. Two table setting, small but pleasant. read more

Well BBQ ribs good but hot links more like hotdogs. Your place has to buy more quality links. Before you can officially call them links.

It came highly recommended by an associate of mine who told me the barbecue there was really good so I said let me go ahead and make that 30 minute drive. The experience was very wonderful the meat was extremely tender not a lot of fat. The chicken was well cooked not a lot of fat and not a lot of gristle it was the actual meat. The first base hit was the beans I've never tasted beans that were that good vote they were slightly undercooked I must say overall they were really really good with that sauce. The second hit was the macaroni and cheese it had just the Right amount of cheese as well as flavor. The sauce is in a class all by itself. I took the mild sauce and it was sweet and yet savory without a strong vinegar taste it was really good. Very well executed food and service. Keep up the good work read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Beef and chicken dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

CJ's catered my dad's birthday party. We had ribs, chicken, hot & mild links, catfish, yams, potato salad, and cabbage. The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed themselves. Thanks CJ'S read more

Mostly importantly they are friendly. Their funnel cake with the oreos and ice cream is sooo good. We only had dessert. I will be sure to try their food next time. read more

Horrible horrible greens they tasted like Gloria greens out of the can !!!! No flavor at all. Service was also horrible terrible attitude from the guy in the back !!! The front counter guy was good and friendly but the rest I would not come back to this place !!! I cater food and this was an insult to the soul food that I serve !!! Was out of town and trying to support my people like I always do but this one was not the work the drive. I heard that had the best bbq in the area but they proved me wrong representing your company is number 1 and they don't do that at all!!! Ok read more

Great barbecue and good prices. Friendly staff. We had the pork barbecue ribs. The ribs had the perfect bite to it. it didn't fall off the bone which is what I like just enough texture and tender. Also had the oxtail with rice and gravy delicious. Cornbread was yummy! Great find. Would definitely go back again if in the area. We did take out. Not enough seating. All the side dishes were delicious. read more

I'm a long time customer of 10+ years and I don't know if they've changed management because on 3/31/23, I ordered a two way: links, ribs and two sides potato salad and baked beans; the usual. Well when I got home and opened up the box, it looked like they gave me a tablespoon of potato salad and the baked beans were not done. Now let's get into these ribs, shall we? They were really good. They had a lot of flavor mixed with deception. Meaning, for 29 dollars they gave me two full rib pieces and a half of one and what looked like 3 small rib chips under them that were tuff! For the price I paid, this was not cool. So two stars goes up for flavor and providing pleasant customer service but I came for ribs s not rib chips. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - These are the rib chips I was referring to. - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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This was our first time trying this place. We live in Sacramento and was in Richmond for the day. We ordered the 2 way and chose Brisket and Pork Ribs. Our sides were macaroni salad and potato salad. We were not disappointed. Me and the hubby split the order and there was more then enough food for the two of us. The meat and ribs were very tender and full of meat. Plenty of bbq sauce we picked mild and soaked up the left over sauce with the two slices of whole wheat bread. Make sure to bring cash. Soda available in a can. Water available but cups are very small. Really enjoyed our food and meet the owner CJ. Customers coming in were very friendly as well. We will definitely plan another visit. read more

Horrible!! I don't know why this place is in business! Little pieces of fish little size sides and the bbq is tough and not cooked on grill don't know how it was cooked and way over priced for what you get!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!! read more

I recommend this place 1000x's , never gets old & will forever be the best in the area

Sorry but this place hit the spot! i had the 3 way combo with brisket, ribs, and hot links in medium hot bbq with potato salad and baked beans. I *ucked my *hit up. idk why people are so harsh with their reviews but i was satisfied. read more

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The food is very good and always fresh! The cashier even called me by name after only a few encounters, they are very hospitable!

The BBQ is pretty good. I ordered the 2 way combo w 2 sides for $22 & some change... The sliced beef was tender and juicy. There wasn't enough BBQ sauce on the meat but it wasn't dry either. The beef links were cut into large slices (which is good because some places give you hella small baby slices of links). My sides were baked beans, which was very flavorful. It had a sweet and spicy taste to it, a pleasant mixture. My other side was greens w/ cornbread. Not a fan of the greens. Lacks major flavor. I tried some of my moms yams that she ordered and that is by far the best side (secret sides) they have! Wish I had known so I could have ordered some. They need to make a sign for their secret menu items. I had no clue. And the mac n cheese (also on the secret menu). Was ok but not hella bomb aka delicious. Half the menu is in Spanish which makes sense as this place is located 1 block away from 23rd. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Bilingual menu to accommodate the location - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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Recently moved to Richmond from San Francisco, I wanted to find a local BBQ place. My timing was always off, arriving just as they were wrapping up for the day. 3rd Time's the Charm as they say, and not only did I get some great BBQ, but the hospitality of CJ and (rats, I didn't get her name) his co-worker was just spectacular. CJ treated me to a sampler plate while he prepared my to-go order of baby back, pork ribs, and brisket. He even snuck in a few sides to try. Isn't this the definition of true Customer Service??? Thanks CJ! read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - a man at the counter - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

I am from out of town and visited a family member who has a newborn baby. I picked up food from CJs for the family to eat and was so happy to find this gem. Service - young lady at the counter was friendly and helped my order. Ribs - delicious, perfectly seasoned. This was my favorite Chicken - moist, with a smoked flavor Hot links - yummy Coleslaw, bbq beans, delicious. Went perfectly with the spicey hot links. Macaroni and cheese - gets 5 stars by itself. Tasted home made and was really really good! Potatoe salad - this was just ok. Suggest you order the other side dishes. I will be back when I am in Richmond!! read more

Spent 50.00 for fish that was not fresh I also ordered the two way combo ribs and links that was missing the links the baked beans are just beans and barbecue sauce sad read more

I remembered why I didn't go there. This place sells food that they made from two or three days ago. Their prices are horrible and they just went up again. $19 for a one meat plate. $24 for a two meat plate. Something ridiculous for a three meat plate. And I think something more ridiculous for some other plate. Oh and don't let me forget. The $12 super week lunch special that they're trying to force on you. I couldn't change the sausage for a different meat on the lunch special. I wonder why? Is it because you're trying to sell old sausages? I know that trick. Almost forgot. Everyone that works there has an attitude a horrible attitude. Like they don't want to work there. And it's crazy because I see so many different people working there, "the few amount of times that I've been there". No face is the same, I wonder why??? I'm sad that there's only two barbecue places in Richmond and both of them are horrible. I grew up in Richmond all of my family is here in Richmond. In north, south, and central. Every city in America should pride itself in it's barbecue. Today is a Sad day read more

This place is the reason why black people don't support our own! They are the definition of get over smh the skimpiest ribs you'll ever get! The sides are trash and the meat isn't even worth half the price. Please don't trust those pictures that's posted describing that trash box. They are literally fooling people. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - The broken pieces. They actually had the audacity to count those as ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

I am at the repass of a good friend whose mother decided to use this establishment as the caterer. The arrival time should have been 2pm and it's now 3:32 pm I personally called at 2:30pm and was told that they were on the way, at 3:10pm the reply was they will be here in 10 minutes and 2 minutes ago I was told that they are stuck traffic. Please note the we 16 away from the restaurant via I-80 and 27 minutes via San Pablo Ave. read more

This joint serves some pretty good BBQ - probably the best that I've tried in the bay. I got the brisket and ribs - the meat was really tender and fell right off the bone (for the ribs). Sides were a bit small for the price but they were a nice complement to the marinated meat. A decent amount of seating inside. There's a TV on so you can sit back and enjoy your food. Service was great - the cashier and the cook were both really nice! Would definitely be back again to try their other meats. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - brisket and ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

My Food was completely inedible after paying $62 yesterday for our meals. Chicken was burnt and definitely cooked in old grease. Ordered extra sides and only got 1 which after paying extra which was the baked beans and they were also inedible. The beans were hard and had too much chili powder in them , also very soupy . Not sure who's recipe that is but get rid of if. Threw most of everything away except the beef ribs and potato salad. Disappointed as hell after they hyped their food up. Customer Service was mediocre at best , very unprofessional. I wouldn't serve my dog most of this stuff, presentation everything ! read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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We were greeted by a friendly woman who took our order. She explained the menu which helped our order process. Our food was ready rather quickly. Sodas are purchased from a vending machine. You need cash for it. They have a dessert counter with cake and pie slices from 'It's All Good' bakery. We took our order to go. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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Came in on August 13th for a slab of baby ribs cabbage Mac, potato salad, 2 combo (baby ribs and hot links) with 2 max and cheese. I get there and they joke about me arriving 30 min after I ordered and failed to have my full order. I didn't notice until I arrived home. Word of advice to the staff, people come back for the food AND THE SERVICE! Don't play with people and be bad at your job. Ridiculous! read more

This place is well known and typically has positive word of mouth when spoken agmonst those who reside in Richmond so I decided to stop in. The customer service was good but they were out of Mac and cheese. I ordered a two way with chicken and links. For my sides I had baked beans and potato salad. It wasn't worth $28. The side portions were small and the food was awful. I was really shocked. The baked beans were overly sweet, watery, and hard. The potato salad tasted sour to the point I thought it might be expired. I couldn't eat my sides. The chicken was overcooked and dry but the links were good though. I would have taken the food back but they were closed. The best barbeque hands down is Tommy's in Richmond off Harbour Way. I definitely wouldn't recommend CJs to anyone. read more

The best BBQ I've had in Northern California! I live in Sonoma County now and I'll still make the drive to Oakland for this barbecue

Best ribs around, really love the rub! Great slaw and potato salad too! But the brisket, I asked for fatty brisket and how someone could slice, pick it up, and package in the tray without realizing that the moisture content is in the negative, says a lot about that person and how far away from their position they should be. I've had dry brisket before from other joints but this brisket is simply not edible. I would love the opportunity to watch any of their staff put a piece of this brisket in their mouth, chew, and swallow without drinking anything. They do show you the box open before giving it to you, I wish I would have paid more attention then. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Brisket, mush it apart with your fingers, your fingers will still be dry. - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

The BBQ is some of the best in the Bay Area. Way better than Everett and Jones. It is a little hole in the wall but I came there for the BBQ not the atmosphere. The customer service could be better but hey just get my order right and I'm good. read more