-Harper bbq- officially opened on 3.27.25! we stopped in to try all the things & anticipated a wait. We were there around 3:30 on 3.28 & waited about 15 minutes or so to place an order. It was their second day being open, so we showed up knowing that we might not be able to try all the items on our list. When we got there they were out of a few of their meat selections & sadly their kitchen was closed from 3-5. We ordered Tri-tip, Jidori Chicken, Harper Slaw, Brussels sprouts Caesar, Pit Beans & the Jalapeño Cheddar Bratwurst as well as a few rolls. Both the chicken & Tri tip were full of flavor & the cheddar bratwurst was cheesy with a hint of jalapeño. My favorite side was the Brussels sprouts Caesar. I'm not a big fan of slaw & I did try it and felt like it was just okay. Loved the pit beans & the Calibama sauce that they coated then chicken in was amazing! The rolls were plain, kind of stale, totally something I'd skip next time we go. The interior has seating & a bar section with tvs. There is outdoor seating on both sides of the restaurant with a good amount of booths. There are two individual restrooms & an outdoor sink if you just needed to wash your hands! We are so glad we a had an opportunity to try some items on their menu as I anticipate the wait/lines for this spot will be insane on the weekends! When we come back we want to try their sandwiches & their Mac & cheese as well as a few of their desserts! Sad we weren't able to this visit, but totally understandable since they do need a few kinks to work out! read more

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I've been going to Austin Texas for seven years, so my standards for barbecue are quite high. every time a friend of mine tells me that a place in California has a good barbecue, I try it and I'm utterly disappointed. I've had this happen probably 10 times in the last few years. Harper is actually good. It is the best that I've had in California my entire life. I highly recommend it. One of the first times I went I got the tri-tip, they are usually out by 8 PM or so, but if you get there early, it is worth trying as well. read more

Harper Barbecue - Pork ribs, beef cheek, and top blade in this picture - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Went with a group of 5, 4 showed up. Dinner on the 2nd night that Harper barbecue was open. Was looking forward to trying the pastrami but unfortunately they were sold out so maybe next time. Girlfriend and I ordered a pound of baby back ribs each along with a pound of tritip and small side of beans to share. Another member ordered the bacon and Jalapeño mac and cheese and shared with the table. Everyone enjoyed the food. Long line was to be expected on opening weekend,it moved steadily and the patrons all seemed to not mind. Order at the counter and your mains and sides are prepared in front of you. There's a bar inside the dining room and I think that is where you order sandwiches along with adult beverages. Everyone was friendly and in good spirits. Several communal tables with more than one group sharing the space. I'd love to return and try the pastrami read more

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The food and the ambience was amazing. Great barbecue spot. looking forward to our next visit at Harper BBQ.

Officially one of my favorite BBQ places, absolutely delicious! Pork belly burnt crumbs, brisket, sandwiches and the Mac and cheese and Cole slaw were bomb, so fresh and didn't feel oily or greasy. Brisket was very juicy and tender. Service was fantastic and the restaurant itself has indoor and outdoor dining with parking to the side. Really nice area and great bbq food. read more

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Harper's is not just an excellent bbq but also well connected to their side business of manufacturing the best smokers on the west coast. This is critical because the owners understand that to run a michelin worthy bbq you have to be a master of every aspect of the cook. This place in every way exceeds that standard and is deserving of your patronage. read more

My wife and I are big barbecue people so we made it a mission to hit Harpers Barbecue while out on a double date with some good friends. It was a solid move. We didn't hold back either. We ordered pretty much everything on the menu. We got brisket or tri tip, chicken, pork ribs, sausage, and loaded up on sides with pinto beans, coleslaw, cornbread, salad, and some extra pickles just to top things off. Total feast. The brisket or tri tip was alright, a bit dry and not as juicy as I was hoping for. Not bad by any means, just didn't steal the show. That spotlight definitely went to the ribs and sausage. The ribs were out of this world. Perfectly smoked, juicy, and literally fell right off the bone. The sausage was another favorite, super flavorful with that good snap when you bite into it. Chicken was juicy and had that slow cooked taste that's hard to beat. Now let's talk sides and sauce. The pinto beans were straight fire. Had that smoky flavor and were even better when you dipped the bread in them. Cornbread was nice and moist with a good sweet corn taste. Coleslaw was decent, not really my thing but still gave it a try. Salad was refreshing and balanced out all the heavy meats. But the real MVP was that California Gold sauce. That stuff is a must. Poured it over the brisket and ribs and it instantly elevated the whole thing. Sweet, tangy, and packed with flavor. It brought everything together. Great food, great company, and the kind of spot that makes you want to come back and try even more. Perfect for a casual date or group hangout when you just want to grub and enjoy life! read more

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Mixed feelings about Harper BBQ. The food was great but I wish there was more meat on the sandwich for the price. The atmosphere is great but if you sit at the bar on the far right you might get dripped on constantly from the AC. Service was excellent at times and then non-existent at other times as well. Lots of details to share regarding the service but I'll leave it at that. Would dine in the restaurant but definitely not interested in becoming a regular at the bar. read more

This place is delicious! Husband and I were visiting a friend and had no idea what to have for dinner. Came upon this place here on Yelp and so glad we went! A little pricey, but super yummy! I had the pork belly BLT - yum!!! And he had the jalapeño sausage and brussel sprout Cesar salad thing :) Also yummy. Only thing we didn't like were all the children running wild, pulling out plants and sitting on tables. Parents: please mind your kids. It's a restaurant, not a play ground. read more

I was immediately greeted by an employee while in line and she told me about their specialties. I tried the smoked beef cheek, pork ribs, and sampled a bite of pichana. The homemade rolls are complimentary and delicious like your grandma would make. the beans were standard . The meats melted in your mouth. I can't wait to go back and try some other other dishes but regardless, I will always get at least the beef cheeks or ribs. They were incredible. This is the best barbecue I've had in SoCal. Too bad I live 80 minutes away. read more

Harper Barbecue - Beef cheek, pork ribs, a sample of pichana, homemade rolls and baked beans - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing bbq. The best bbq I ever had. I thought Blue Smoke in NYC was the end all, be all. We went for restaurant week and the meats were spectacular and sides were different and delicious. Thank you Steve, Morgan and Ruby and a nod to August the bar tender. We will be back very soon read more

I have driven by this place on my way to Matty's Patties. I finally decided to try this place. I love the ambiance and decor of Harper BBQ (next time I will eat at the restaurant). I came at a good time because I was the only one in line. The staff was there. I ordered prime beef cheek, Tri tip, pulled pork, Harper slaw, pit beans, and their $6 cornbread muffin (note you only get one for $6). They offered complimentary sauces and rolls. The food was great and I will be back. read more

Harper's BBQ is top-notch! The chicken was phenomenal--juicy and bursting with flavor. All the sides were excellent, especially the chili and farro--so tasty! The meats are clearly high quality, and the pork ribs? To die for! Can't wait to go back! read more

Such a cutie lil barbecue spot in Costa Mesa! Feels like you're eating at someone's house. It's an order and sit down situation but the team graciously was taking drink orders while we were waiting in line. We ordered the beef cheek, tri tip, and top sirloin along with a bunch of sides! Usually restaurant mac and cheese and whatever to me but Harper makes theirs to order so it's delicious. Can't wait to come back here all summer, such a vibey spot! read more

Harper Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hidden gem, but service is not what I call hospitality. Let them know I was new. And didn't seem to care. Didn't want to explain anything about the menu. Prices are not accurate. Too much food for one serving at your market price read more

Good food, food people, family crowd. Nice outdoor seating area. Had the burnt ribs; a little too blackened for me. Will go again! read more

This is one of those hidden gems that has been on my radar a loooong time. They are only open Th - Sun so my timing has been bad. This week that changed and I made it in. Kind of hidden in the neighborhood and parking is limited so plan accordingly. I pulled up and saw a line out the door, it was early too. Found parking down the way and was hit with that awesome bar b que smell when I got out of my car. You could tell this place was serious about meat. And everything looked and smelled amazing. Lots of specials on the door when you walked up, and a pretty straight forward menu. I got the tri tip sandwich and it was great, I do think in hindsight I should have done a tray of meats, but the sandwich was really good. Excellent service, good prices, portions based on what you order for the meat so you can go heavy or light depending what you want. Watching them handmake the sides was pretty kewl too. Even the simple salad looked gourmet as they did it up. Looking forward to coming back and bringing the family next time. See ya there. read more

I was so excited to stumble across this awesome BBQ spot! It is bigger and nicer than it appears outside. What is best is the delicious food, all the options, the bar, and guess what.... It is all reasonably priced! That is hard to find these days and actually makes me want to take the family out to dinner. New favorite spot! read more

Harper Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Harper Barbecue offers mouth-watering, savory and delicious BBQ. The ribs were the best I've ever had in Orange County. The staff were super nice and helpful in explaining what their menu offers. I love the vibe of this place, bright , opened and airy with both indoor and outdoor seatings. Come early as there are limited parking space or else you will have to park in the street and walk to it. Highly recommended! read more

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Absolutely awesome California style BBQ spot! All the staff was extremely friendly and the food was fresh and tasty. Our favorites were the smoke house salad and the mac and cheese. Will def be coming back to try more of the prime smoked beef! Can't wait. read more

Family style... relax pick from your favorite bbq meats... Mac and cheese to my favorite Brussel sprout slaw. Cafeteria style or sit at the bar w sandwich and salad option. Open space open table. Come and relax. read more

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The Beef Cheek was delicious, my favorite!. We also had Iberico Porck Steak (which was a little fatty for me), beans, Caesar Brussels and corn bread. I want to go back for a Sandwich, they looked amazing! The service was fine overall, but the cashier wasn't very informative. She didn't mention where we could get water, and when we ordered two beers she simply handed us a number without explaining the process. We assumed the drinks would be brought to our table, but after about ten minutes we went to the bar and the bartender just poured them for us. I'm still not entirely sure how it's supposed to work. Clearer communication would make the experience much smoother. Overall cool spot, I would go back for that beef cheek sandwich! read more

Food - smoky flavors, fair variety of choices, served at good temperatures, quality ingredients. You will not be disappointed. Variety of drinks( non alcoholic) and variety of beers Service - very good to excellent service. You can tell they appreciate customers. Ambiance - two outdoor eating area with blankets provided for your comfort. Spacious indoor eating area, long tables, one small private room. read more

Wow Wow Wow Amazing rub on the pork ribs!!! Tender perfectly cooked tri tip Smoked chicken - nice !! Meat carver got some good knife skills. Sausage is tasty Coleslaw tangy I could eat the chili all day!! Next time bring some read more

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I stopped by on my lunch break last Friday. First off, I was blown. Away by the selection of meats. As soon as I saw picanha on the menu I knew I was getting some. I asked to see the beef cheeks needed that too. Absolutely amazing. So good. The prices are on par with other barbecue spots in the area. picanha and beef cheeks? OMG. I'll definitely be back and bringing people with me. This is a great local spot. Everyone needs to try it! read more

Tried this joint today, line moves really slow so patient. Dude cutting the meat didn't have much of a sense of urgency. Here's what we had: Beef cheek- super tender and tasted great. Too heavy on the pepper for my liking, but that's common with some BBQ. Picanha pastrami- really good and tender. Cooked perfectly. Baby back ribs-good and a little sweet and had some "pull". Pork steak- well seasoned and tasty. Jalapeno cheddar sausage- really good, a favorite at the table. Potato salad- it's served warm, intense mustard flavor. Not for me, but my wife really liked it. Cornbread muffin- pretty dang good, but $6 for a muffin is kinda crazy. Chili- pretty good meat chili, nothing super special though. Sauces are vinegar based, not my style but my wife liked it. The beers are $13...for an average IPA. This part was insane to me. That's like cruise or stadium pricing. Just silly. The food is on the higher end price overall. Service was good and friendly. Set up is nice. Not sure if I'll be back, but if money is no object, probably one of the better bbq joints in Orange County. read more

So happy to have Harper in the neighborhood. This is a total family-friendly spot with something for everyone. Always great to get the platter and have a bit of everything; specifically the picanha, the ribs, and brisket. For sides, their Mac n cheese is always a hit, I love the corn muffin, their rolls, and the baked beans. Don't ever skip the burnt ends! They're like candy. I also enjoy their beer selection at the bar. Plenty of seating in a backyard vibe! A perfect neighborhood spot. read more

Harper Barbecue - Burnt ends - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Harper Barbecue delivers on smoky flavor and stylish vibes. With its cute, trendy ambiance and upbeat atmosphere, it's clearly a popular spot--we waited about 30 minutes in line, but the energy made it feel more like part of the experience than a hassle. We ordered the platter for two to four, two lemonades, key lime pie, and banana pudding. The meats were the true stars: perfectly smoked, tender, and full of rich, savory flavor. Sides were a bit of a mixed bag--the rice and farro didn't stand out, but the Brussels sprouts were solid and added a nice touch of earthiness. Desserts were a sweet finish, though the banana pudding's vanilla wafer was a little too soggy for our taste. Still, the key lime pie was a refreshing, tangy bite. Overall, Harper Barbecue is a fun and flavorful stop. We'll definitely be back--next time, the mac and cheese is calling our name. read more

Harper Barbecue - Platter for two - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is great! It was my first time here and will definitely be coming back! The vibes were great and staff was very attentive. Be sure to get there early since the line started to form right at 11am. We got the beef cheek, sausage, and pork belly BLT, all of which were delicious! The cornbread was AMAZING!! Definitely want to come back and try more of their meats since everything on the menu looks great. read more

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After a wait in the sun this was definitely worth the wait. I've never eaten a beef cheek cut before but this is by far their best item on the menu. Super tender, fatty, and has a nice smoky barbecue taste. Definitely goes really well with their house barbecue sauce and pickles to cut out the fat. Was hoping to try the picanha pastrami but unfortunately they ran out. Tri tip was a bit on the tougher side but thats to be expected with tri tip. I don't normally get sides at bbq places but the Brussel sprout ceasar caught my eye. Staff was super nice and welcoming. They recently just opened its already super busy. Hopefully they'll be able to expand more in the future to help more customers down the line. The seating environment is also one of my favorite things about this place. It feels like I'm at a family backyard bbq. Definitely coming back again for that pastrami. read more

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What an amazing new addition to the neighborhood! Dining at Harper's feels like being at a friend's backyard barbecue. It is a safe, friendly place. My favorite protein from the 2-4 person platter was the tri-tip -- everything was delicious, though. I really don't think you can go wrong with the meats! This was the perfect amount to try as a first timer. I appreciate how the pickles and cornbread are included too. I can't wait to dig into the sandwiches next time. As for the sides, the potatoes were a MUST. The taste of the fresh dill and capers were a nice refreshing cut to the smokey flavors from the rest of the meal. The beans were a little too hard for my liking (I prefer a softer texture) but the sauce was great. Admittedly, I had very high hopes for the macaroni and cheese but was a little let down by the lack of seasoning. It was very moist (which was great) but lacked general flavoring. Overall, I can't wait to come back! I hope the hours and dates are extended as popularity and business grows. ** Note: I just realized that they forgot to give us our rolls that came with the 2-4 people platter. Not a big deal, I think the staff are getting used to business so they might need some reminders. Make sure you get all your fixings! read more

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Hi the food was amazing ! The ribs and tri tip was perfectly medium rare I mean perfect couldn't have asked for better smoked food. The chicken was juicy and perfect as well! We ate the lunch portion and shared it plenty of good food even with only one side still had food left over . The bar had plenty to choose from the decor was very nice while still having a casual feel. Nice date place . read more

Heard about this place through my chef and had to check it out. Parking was easy to find, lovely courtyard for Al fresco dining, and they had the front of house lined up, ready to serve. I went at 2:30 pm on a Thursday and there was no line - got the pork BLT sandwich, the special sandwich, and then got the a la carte meats for dinner. The sandwiches were delicious, hearty and full of flavor. Meats were tender and juicy. The space had a great vibe, nice seating and good overall atmosphere. Service was on point, the owner Drew talked me through the menu. Def give it a try! read more

Harper Barbecue - The special sandwich! - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hands down one of the best BBQ spots in Orange County. Harper BBQ in Costa Mesa absolutely blew me away. I've had a lot of barbecue in my life, but this chicken? Probably the best I've ever had. Perfectly smoked, juicy, flavorful--like, next level good. All of the meats were phenomenal. You can really taste the quality in every bite. This isn't your average BBQ joint--everything feels thoughtfully prepared and high-end, but still with that laid-back, authentic BBQ soul. The vibe inside is spot on too. Clean, super comfortable, and just a great place to kick back and enjoy amazing food. It's got that chill Costa Mesa energy--welcoming and unpretentious, but dialed in. If you're in the area (or even if you're not), do yourself a favor and stop by. You won't regret it. read more

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Where do i START Harper's was absolutely delicious. My husband and i feel so lucky we have such a good quality bbq place near our place! We immediately found parking in their lot and walked in with no line (around 4pm) and was greeted by 3 nice boys. The owner was on site constantly cleaning and making sure there was no flies using a salt gun lol. it was really good to know that great hospitality still exists. My husband and i were treating my dad to dinner so we ended up getting the bbq platter that feeds 3-4 people. We also added on a side of Mac and cheese. They ran out of pulled pork when we went and offered to sub another meat, which was fine since all of us aren't huge pulled pork fans. We opted for the tri tip. May i add the complimentary rolls and pickled vegetables is a great touch. Although bbq is notoriously pricey, these special add ons made it feel worth it. The platter was gorgeous! The pickled vegetables were soooo good. Our favorite meat was the ribs... like fall off the bone type meat. They have complimentary bbq sauce outside and it took willpower to not drink it lol. Both were very flavorful. Safe to say we will be back! Love the custom attire too, I'm gonna need a camo hat! read more

Harper Barbecue - Bbq plate for 2-4 people around $89 - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

New BBQ spot but they already have it dialed in. The meat quality and flavors are really good. Unlike many other spots, their BBQ isn't dry, and is very well seasoned. The staff is super friendly and you get the sense it's a family restaurant. Speaking of family, plenty of space indoor and outside for groups, it's a family friendly atmosphere. The beers are inexpensive and they have two tvs over the bar. Only comment, the sides don't pack the flavor punch of their bbq. read more

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The Best BBQ I've had in Orange County Friendly and helpful staff Very nice seating/outdoor as well I highly recommend their pork ribs and Ruben sandwich Will be back for many years read more

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Staff were very friendly and helpful with ordering. Four of us shared a sample of ribs, top blade, Mary's chicken, a burger, pork belly BLT, beans, tallow fried spuds, and brussels sprouts caesar. Everything was great and plenty of leftovers to take home. Great spice rub on the ribs and they are tender with a perfect bite off the bone. Great smoke ring and flavor on the top blade. Banana pudding and a brookie were great for dessert later. Definitely going back! read more

New BBQ spot with great vibes but the food for me, was mediocre. I ordered the plater for 2-4 people. By 5:00 PM the ribs were sold out. Here are my thoughts: -chicken&beef cheek: delicious -tri tip: average -corn bread: delicious -sausage: good -mac&cheese: little flavor and under salted -potato salad: wasn't for me, predominately dill flavored -sauces: tangy/vinegary, I prefer a sweet bbq sauce Be mindful, on a Friday early evening there was no parking and the wait time was approximately 30 minutes. The ice tea and lemonade is 90% ice and refills weren't offered. I'm not sure if they are free I didn't happen to ask. All that being said check it out, cause everyone has different preferences and tastebuds! read more

Harper Barbecue - 2-4 Person Platter $79 - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great spot in Eastside Costa Mesa with a cool family vibe and great staff of friendly servers. We have tried many of the recommended meats and really enjoyed all of them. The side are great, I like the BBQ Beans, Cole slaw, brussels sprout salad and the pickles my husband loved the Mac and Cheese. Tonight I had the Melon dish with thin smoked ham and some heavenly creamy cheese. I already can't wait to go back for that! This place is a great addition to our eclectic Eastside Vibe. read more