They only want the money and the food is not worth it. I ordered the half rack of pork ribs which was supposed to be 6 full Bar B Que Ribs. I ask that they NOT Be burnt, I did Not say .." or dried" what I got was 4 Ribs and 2 grissel tips that where half burnt and what wasn't burnt was dried out. The sauce is spicy and runny. I ordered one piece of cornbread and asked if it was made from jiffy mix or from scratch, the girl at the counter said she didn't know but another girl came up and said it was from scratch because they didn't use anything out of a box. Now anyone from a African American culture knows that Jiffy cornbread mix is more like a cake than a bread and tends to be gummy when more than 4 hour old. what they charged over $2 for cornbread was gummy cornbread it wasn't bad ( for jiffy) but not even close to scratch cornbread. The management probably has to choose their employees from a pool of another culture ( Mexican ) which is understandable and I have no problem with that but; they should give them some background and training just like Asians in an authentic Asian restaurant or Mexicans in a authentic Mexican restaurant does. I paid almost $23 for 4 burnt and 2 crispy dried ribs and tips with 1 side of gummy ass jiffy corn bread that they intentionally lied about. Stick to ...."I don't know" but I will find out for next time you come in. Management lean how to judge the traffic and put less ribs on the grill when it isn't that busy during the week and at certain hours. Or Go to L.A. and hire some of those Mexican, Black and Asian people who how to and care to cook southern Bar B Que as advertised! Do better or charge less or both. there is no value at CJ's ! I usually don't even write reviews but it been I can't Bar B Q at my apt complex and splurged but was very disappointed. Yes I am Black, No not originally from Oxnard, Yes I have root from the south. read more

The chili was good, better than most, though small. The tri-tip, baby back ribs, and pulled pork were good/average. The gumbo was good/average, though be prepared to remove shell fish from shells. The cornbread was a bit hard and dry, sweet but not too sweet. The roll tasted store bought not freshly made. No utensils were given with to go food, nor was I asked or did I ask for them. The buy one get one free Axxess deal was only honored up to $15, though I believe mine were about $21 each, though such limit was not stated in writing as it should have been. read more

CJ's Barbecue - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

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We were visiting family yesterday and my mother had previously raved about CJ's BBQ. I must say, food was good with a nice variety on the menu. My first thought would be to return, but the service was horrible. I felt bad for the young man front yesterday afternoon as he he displayed so much of his pain to the patrons. We did nothing this man but treat him politely like a decent human being. Most of the time I can politely remind them of their behavior and the need to be professional, but the ONLY ONLY reason I didn't was because it involved my food. Perhaps, he knows most would be more reluctant for that reason so he feels more empowered. We all know there's a lot going on in the country right now, but being rude to patrons won't make his life any better. His life must be really hard to openly display such hurt and pain. Tbh, these days, most are - which typically stems from fear and insecurity. Maybe if he thought better of himself his life would improve. We were so disappointed, especially my local (large) family since they frequent this establishment. It makes me sad to think twice before returning due to this man outwardly cry for help... read more

I've been in California since 2005 by way of Virginia and Florida. I've missed eating down home southern food. A coworker of mine suggested that we all come to CJ's for lunch. When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he's done for me!!! BABY THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN!! I swear I thought I was at my Big Momma's house having Sunday dinner with my family! I'm telling you if you don't come here and have a meal, you don't know what you are missing! I'm going back again today. I was skeptical because my coworker is from Oregon and doesn't look like he's ever had BBQ in his entire life, but that just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover! Y'all better come on and meet me at CJ's! I'll be there even if you are not! See you tomorrow!!!! read more

Let's see.... Where do I start? Well when I walked up to CJ BBQ, I noticed that there was no smoke. So me and my co-workers walked in and picked up a menu to order our food. Know the ways of selections we'll put on the menu, you would think that this would be some damn good barbecue. It was nowhere near close! I ordered the three meat sampler which was $19 and it said that it did not come with any sides. I was fine with that so I just ordered a salad with it. I ordered the spare ribs, chicken breast, and the hot links. When the plate was brought out to me I immediately was disgusted. The spare ribs or extra dry, the chicken was chopped up and had no smoke flavor, and the hot links we're nowhere near smoked. They were Farmer John hot links. To add insult to injury, the whole plate was covered in Bullseye BBQ sauce. Now I'm quite critical when it comes to barbecue only because I make my own. I know what good barbecue is. This place is full and people left and right. However, the area that it's in I guess it's the best they have to offer. My recommendation is never eat at this establishment. read more

The BEST bbq in the area hands down. We were bummed when the Ventura location closed. We visited recently this location in Oxnard. My husband ordered this fully loaded burger that has pastrami & bacon on it. He loved it, but wished it was a little bigger. I ordered the bbq tri tip sandwich, which was BOMB! I highly recommend it. I was a little bummed that the Mac n cheese was sold out, but we did show up close to 8pm, so HELLO, of course it would be sold out as it's totally bombdiggity as well! Great food, great service & absolutely worth the wait. read more

CJ's Barbecue - Bbq tri tip sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

Came in on a Friday spent 50$ ate at the restaurant. Cold food. Nothing makes me want to get up out my seat and slap the mess outa the cook like waiting and then cold food. How do u serve cold fries??? How do u mess up fries??? On a Friday night!? Lazy ass cook. Was an old guy. Thumbs tf down! read more

I found this place by accident while in town for business. Sure glad I did. Chris, the guy who helped me was great, had a good personality and really helped me decide what to eat because there was way to much goodness on the menu. The wait was short and the food was the best commercial BBQ I've had in awhile. And that cobbler afterwords was over the top good. Highly recommended hidden gem. read more

It's food for the soul. The food, prices, and people are the absolute best that you can ask for. I highly recommend the catfish and collard greens. read more

Haven't been to CJs in a couple years, went today, they closed the door facing the parking lot and access to the bathroom, had to walk around the building in the rain. I used to meet friends here for lunch, they took out all the seating, I guess I could I could sit outside in the rain. Didn't ask what kind of sauce I wanted, I asked for a side of spicy, 50 cents, after spending $17 on a half chicken. Used to be a nice friendly neighborhood place, now they have it setup like just another chain place, lost all it's charm. Food was ok, I won't be back. read more

I did a togo order this evening and cannot be more pleased. To begin the staff was awesome and very welcoming. I was given some samples since it was my first time there. All the samples and sides were delicious which made it very difficult to make a selection. I ordered the #1 family meal for $50. It was huge and you can mix/match the meats. Decided to go with the Tri-Tip (amazing), Chicken Breast (awesome has a bbq flavor) and Ribs (Good)..I will definitely be back... Thank you for the experience and wonderful food... read more

The BBQ sauce is really good I have to say the tritip the best and the ranch dressing bomb with fries OMG you guys do a good job food order on time and the guy at the front counter was respectful that a plus keep up the good work will return soon read more

CJ's Barbecue - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

I'm from Arkansas and Texas and I've been missing the southern food that I'm used to getting when I would have a hankering for it. I googled "southern BBQ " and CJs popped up so I decided to try it out. I got the fried catfish dinner (coated in cornmeal- the only way southern fish should be fried) and got some greens and slaw. Lemme tell u... this was some lip-smacking yummy fish!! Moist inside, crispy outside and seasoned just right and I thought, "well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! This is like how my daddy used to make it!" Go get you sum!! read more

CJ's Barbecue - Fried catfish, collard greens, cole slaw and some roll to add xtra rolls to my belly. Lol. - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

Our place to go for local BBQ. I also enjoy their burgers. You can tell they are masters in cooking their ribs and tri-tip.

It's open for take out!!!!! Yes. Scored tonight for dinner pick up. BBQ so good here.

Came here with my boyfriend cause he wanted ribs. The cashier was obviously unhappy to be there. Was very blunt the whole time we were ordering. The decor is not cute. The place next door has a similar vibe so it may just be the area. We got our Togo order and left. The sides that come with an order are tiny. The beans and rice were in a small 2oz container mixed together. Why? The fries were seasoned (also in a small bag) but the inside wasn't cooked fully. The ribs we ordered were mostly bone and the meat was hard to come off the bone as well. Gave us dirty napkins with our order. Not worth it. Will not come back. read more

The girl on register is really nice, I definitely recommend the food here too :))))))

Best BBQ place around. My fave is the beef ribs. They are juicy and tender just the way I like them and they give you the option of spicy sauce on the side. Also love the garlic rolls and potato salad. A must try for BBQ lovers. read more

We were visiting Oxnard and saw the sign. The service was friendly and the food was delicious. My husband had the salmon and it was a generous portion and really tasty. I had the tri tip sandwich the meat was tender chunks and the sauce was delicious. We tried the Mac and cheese, a little dry but good, red beans and rice, flavorful, and the berry cobbler which was very tasty. They also offer vegetarian options. I recommend this restaurant. read more

This place is the "real deal folks! Best barbeque around. My favorite is the pulled pork-it's to die for-really! The hot links are equally good- with the barbeque sauce they're amazing. The menu is extensive as there is something for everyone . I also really enjoy the collard greens and mac and cheese. And for dessert try the peach cobbler if they have it as it's a real treat . Enjoy! read more

I was taking advantage of the Axes card, so they gave me ribs with little meat, will never go there again.

I love this place The food and prices are great . This is a small business that I like to support

Great service. The food is great and big amounts. The kids loved the food!!! Bomb ribs, BBQ sauce, Mac and cheese. EVA IS AMAZING!!! AND THE WHOLE STAFF IS SUPER FRIENDLY!!! read more

CJ's Barbecue - Great food!! Great service - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

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I went with my family and ended up paying overpriced for BURNT DISGUSTING ASS FOOD Let me tell you I would Rather DIE then eat that THING again There Wings Were DRY UNDERCOOKED AND PINK AND things like that it tasted really bad really really bad I would never go again I now have a stomach ache and a really bad Head ache I WOULD NEVER TRY AGAIN 1 OUTTA TEN NEVER TRY AGAIN read more

This place was okay a couple years ago then ever since 2020 they have gone down hill. Meat is dry, sauces are bland. Would not recommend.

Ok so I've been sleeping on CJs BBQ!! My husband and I went here for the first time a few weeks ago and we have been back many times after! We started with the family tray 1. Which came with tri-tip (MY FAV), chicken, and ribs along with 2 sides of your choice and 4 bread rolls (DELISH)! We picked Mac and cheese and sweet potato fries (BOMB)! The Mac and cheese is good in its own way its cheesey but also buttery! And then since I've been back I've gotten the tri tip sandwich and it's so BOMB! The BBQ sauce is yummy and the ranch is BOMB, gives toppers a run for their money lol! CJS IS A MUST TRY!! I'm trying to potato skins next time I go! read more

CJ's now has two locations; The one on Victoria ave/5th street and the one i went to on rose ave/channel islands. I didn't know what to get for dinner. Tacos mi Pueblo or Jersey Mikes, but then i saw the CJs BBQ sign where the old Charo Chicken used to be and decided to try it. I was expecting to see a menu with ribs, chicken, beef tri-tip with a few potato or pasta side dishes. but when I walked in I was surprised to see their menu was quite large. They have a HUGE appetizer menu full of things i cant wait to try. They have things like hot wings fried zucchini, popcorn shrimp, calamari chili fries (i heard these are really good) jalapeno poppers and more! They got a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers, fried fish, salmon, gumbo, BBQ pork , BBQ tri tip, BBQ chicken, hot links and many more. I ordered the two meat combo; Chicken and Tri-Tip for $13. I asked for their spicy BBQ sauce and it was VERY good. not too spicy but just enough to give it a kick. Portions for meat were very very generous enough to feed two people my size. The chicken was mostly grilled white meat with no bones no skin. The tri-tip was very lean with almost NO FAT. the side dishes were smaller than i would have liked but tasted very good. I got the mac n cheese and it was homemade with real cheese. I had to wait about 15 minutes to get my food. At first i was disappointed that i had to wait this long, but that means my food was made to order and didn't come out of a microwave or from under a heat lamp. The wait was worth it. read more

CJ's Barbecue - menu - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

Man, am I lucky! I live only minutes away from CJ's. If you read my bio, I'm a little more than your average BBQ (read: smoked) meat connoisseur. I've had barbecue from Virginia to Japan, from Cartagena to Calgary...and every place in-between (don't believe me? Read some of my reviews.) If you're looking for 'weak' St. Louis and/or Kansas City barbecue, leave now. If you're looking for REAL Texas barbecue, you've come to the right place. CJ's is a dream spot for a Texan that is homesick for real barbecue. To begin with, they don't slather everything in a pool of sauce. Their smoked tri-tip is tender, juicy, flavorful, and perfectly smokey. Be sure to order your meal without any sauce, otherwise they'll put some on. Don't worry - they have sauce available on the side if you insist. Their sliced tri-tip sandwich is a favorite. You get a side with that, and my side of choice is their house-made potato chips. As an extra added yum, I usually get some of their habanero ('white') sauce to eat with my chips. If I'm really hungry, I'll get a hot link sandwich or even just an order of links (sliced). Also order with no sauce. These links have the greatest flavor: the meat has an excellent seasoning that once smoked make for the best links I've ever had. Don't bother with the coleslaw or the mac-n-cheese - focus on the meet and those excellent house-made chips and the excellent barbecue sauce and white sauce. How does CJ's compare with other barbecue places in Ventura/Oxnard/Hueneme? Compared to Dickies: Dickies has pretty good brisket...but no tri-tip. Tri-tip is less fatty but more flavorful. My choice: CJ's No other barbecue places in Ventura Military Discount: Yes - 10% off your meal Would recommend! read more

This is our favorite ribs spot since Dave's closed at the collection in oxnard. My son is pretty pick about seasoning of bbq sauce and thought cj's was super yummy read more

I am changing my review because the BBQ is simply delicious. Yes, they need to be a little more generous with the amazing habanero sauce, but they are awesome people and killer food. read more

Best tri tip EVER! I got the salad it was to delicious and under $10. The girls behind the counter are super helpful and friendly. I will definitely be coming back next week read more

CJ's Barbecue - Tri Tip salad - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

Great barbecue, awesome stuff, try tip is a must with the hot barbecue Yum Yum. Thanks see you tonight LOL definitely recommend.

Service is horrible, workers there don't seem to care about their customers at all. They have the nerve to be very demanding in adittude to their paying customers. Highly disappointing. Big thumbs down. read more

Most amazing bbq place in CA. I love the bbq tri tip sandwich so much, I also love the chili, cornbread, and peach cobbler!

I have been coming to CJ's now for 2 years and they always hit a homer. There is nothing on that Menu that I haven't liked yet. Juicy Burgers, Chew on the Bone Ribs, and insanely amazing barbecue sauce. They even do Deep Fried Turkeys for Thanksgiving. I got 1 last year and it was the most delicious and juicy Bird I have ever had. I'm gonna order this year & 1 for the rest of my life as long as they keep selling them. Long story short, go eat, drink and be happy. You won't be disappointed. read more

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One of the best BBQ in town and at a great price! Im here at least once a week for their chicken and ribs. The portions are great and the staff is always so friendly. read more

I love this place. I go here whenever I need good southern food or barbeque. I always get the catfish po'boy or the pulled pork sandwich. Sides I always get are Mac n cheese, fries, bbq baked beans and something else but I'm drawing a blank. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it in my opinion. They have a chipotle mayo type sauce that you need to try. I had their gumbo but it was a bit on the spicy side (and I'm not a fan of too spicy). Seemed too spicy because it killed my taste buds. But I just try something else when I go back. Both locations are great in Ventura and Oxnard. Oxnard a bit smaller but still like the sports bar feel to it. read more

CJ's Barbecue - Catfish po'boy and their spread (not sure what to call it) - Burgers Near Me - Oxnard, California

It is always great. The front counter changes, but the food is fantastic. Ok I fell in love with one of the front counter people. But the food is so good I have to keep going back. read more

I gotta say, the taste quality has declined over the years. I bought a bbq chicken sandwich, 1/2 pound of catfish side of mac and cheese. First of all, I dont know why my mac and cheese is sweet I just really don't understand that logic and where they do that at. Secondly the chicken, it was dry, not super dry but dry enough that the bbq sauce couldn't hide it. The lack of seasoning made it worse, so I had some dry unseasoned chicken from a southern bbq spot smh. The catfish was okay 3/5 okay. Once again NO seasoning. Imagine having unseasoned "southern" food...so disappointed in this meal. read more

4 years later and it still holds up! Tri-tip sandwich is of course nothing less than an amazing! I like to pair mine with some coleslaw as it is my weakness but don't go assuming I haven't had everything else because I have. Collard greens mack cheese amazing! If I'm extra hungry do ask for an extra helping of hit links as they cut them up and cover them in bbq sauce which is unbelievable!!! Will keep coming back to CJ's read more