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    Ruff House BBQ

    4.8 (98 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order Ruff House BBQ Takeout or Delivery

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    RUFF HOUSE BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Ruff House BBQ

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    Ryan J.

    BBQ is outstanding - checkout their IG page for dates and times of business but it is inside of a music venue in Ventura. Full bar and lots of seating available. Did the wings with lemon pepper and their hot sauce, SUPER good and fast. There is a slightly rotating option and again it's updated via their IG for more timely updates. But will definitely come back!

    Menu
    Terry P.

    It's ok... Supposedly a 16 hour cook time for the brisket, so what's wrong? The meat was dry and chalky. Most likely, the temp was too high. The beans were ok, slightly under-cooked for my preference. They are just barely cooked enough. The flavor is good, texture, not so much. The Mac-n-cheese is very cheesy. Reminds me of velveeta. Nothing special here, but it was cooked properly. The string beans were good. They were cooked very well, and flavored beautifully, but why not great? Because some of them could have been cleaned or cut better. The ambiance is where it gets points. Located inside a music hall/venue, it's pretty awesome. Just enough light to eat and see things, not super bright.

    The entrance
    Patti W.

    We arrived at 1:15 pm on a Sunday. We were greeted as we ordered our food. The food was good. We really enjoyed it. The only negative is they advertised until 3 o'clock but today they told us we had to be out by two because there was going to be a concert. After waiting for our food there didn't seem like much time to relax and because we had to go. Although they did offer for us to get takeout before we ate.

    Brisket
    Andres P.

    Its legit. This is legit BBQ smoked brisket. I had my doubts and low expectations before visiting. Texas can suck it for trying to gatekeep their amazing BBQ tradition. I've been to Texas and had life changing BBQ Brisket and I've been trying to chase that high ever since! It was takeout only, so I quickly drove to the beach to dig in lol. Brisket- juicy tender, the fat was rendered nicely, beautiful smoke ring Smoked sausage- amazing. Juicy and loads of cheese. Sides were very good, although I kept it simple, fries and baked beans. Baked beans were too sweet imo. But I know folks who like it like that so who am I to judge. BBQ Sauce was DELICIOUS and the mustard was *chefs kiss* I put this BBQ restaurant over any BBQ spot here in Ventura County. Honestly, yes I am going to say this- I ENJOYED THIS OVER MOO'S CRAFT IN LA Yes you heard me right. Been there and done that, I know my brisket. So trust me and go get yourself some legit BBQ in Ventura!

    Burnt ends and chicken wings. So glad we found this delicious BBQ joint!
    Michelle W.

    Burnt ends and chicken wings were amazing! So glad we found this place. Definitely will be back!

    Pork ribs w/ coleslaw, baked beans and French fries.
    Tiffany G.

    Simply put- just some finger lickin' good BBQ. Decided to try this place per a friends recommendation- ordered a lb of chicken wings and the pork ribs w/ coleslaw, baked beans and French fries. Everything was delicious, even the wings plain ( I ordered them naked to try the taste and they are delicious as is), the buffalo sauce definitely makes them next level though! Plenty of open seating and quick service. There's a full service bar, too if you get thirsty (; Will definitely come back whenever I'm craving some good BBQ.

    Jessica Y.

    I feel so fortunate that I stumbled upon the best BBQ spot thanks to Instagram! We don't really eat BBQ much but I didn't really have super high expectations since I figured it would just taste like any old BBQ but boy was I wrong. The sampler platter comes with a variety of meats and two sides, perfect to share for a group of 3-4. They set up at Ventura Music Hall every Sunday and it was a much nicer venue than I thought it would be. There are some booths and plenty of tables, as well as a clean restroom. The menu switches up a bit so be sure to give Jason a follow on IG @ruff_house_bbq to see what is on the menu for the week. Looking forward to coming back soon!

    Pure goodness.. the brisket was so tender and not overly Smokey !
    Erica G.

    #ThankYouThursday. Thank you for serving the best BBq in the 805. Woot woot .. Oxnard native too.. like me. I can always count on having an amazing food experience! From the tacos , smash burgers, biscuit sandwiches to the yummy brisket. Currently, located at the Ventura Music Hall but looking forward to when you open your place! Thank you for raising funds for Children's Hospital and supporting other local businesses by collaborating or being a patron!!! Your business is truly a local gem!

    Menu as of 6.18.23
    Angela R.

    Ruff House BBQ left an ever-lasting impression on me since the day I traveled to Ventura to try it. I arrived just before they opened, and even though the line didn't seem too long; I still had to wait about an hour and a half to finally place my order. So, come with patience here! I promise the wait is totally worth it. BTW, it is located in the Ventura Music Hall and only offered on Sundays from 11am-3pm (or until they sell out), but Jason the master BBQ wizard does occasional pop-ups at other locations. Check out his IG page for daily updates @ruff_house_bbq Ok, so I was kind of overwhelmed on what to order even though I stared at the menu while waiting in line. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, but then again it always does when you haven't eaten. I ended up going with the Chipotle Cheddar Beef Hot Link ($7), 1/2 pound Spare Ribs ($14), and 1/2 lb. Maple Bacon Pork Belly Burnt Ends ($14). I also ordered the banana cream pie pudding cup ($8), which was mind blowing delicious! It wasn't overly sweet and very well put together. These are made by Jess who teams up with Jason on Sunday's to provide the best desserts to accompany the BBQ. Her IG handle is @awkwardpastrychef if you'd like to check out her page. As for the food, the beef hot link wasn't too spicy and the Dijon dipping sauce to accompany it was the perfect balance of sweet n tangy. The spare ribs were love at first bite!! The meat was super tender, melt in your mouth delicious, and it had the perfect amount of smokiness. Honestly, these were the best I ever had in all my life lol. I also enjoyed the bbq sauce that was served with this, but you could eat them just as is. The Maple Bacon Pork Belly Burnt ends are a must order! They are little pieces of heaven and melt in your mouth. I devoured these in my car, and they didn't even require a dip in the bbq sauce that came with it. This is Cali meets Texas style BBQ, and although I've never tried Texas BBQ; this has got my stamp of approval and deserves an award! This was one of my favorite BBQ experiences I've ever had and I am looking forward to going back soon!

    Steven W.

    Located inside the Ventura Music Hall, which we didnt realize is Ruff House BBQ. Follow their IG page for updates and hours. You want to get there at opening so they do not run out of stuff. We ordered half pound of pulled pork, half pound of brisket, and 3 dry rub ribs, along with mac and cheese. Great customer service all around. Food was delicious. Favorite was the pulled pork which I was surprised, it was juicy and tender. Brisket was on the lean side. Overall great Texan Style BBQ with fantastic hospitality.

    Smashburger!
    Allison C.

    If there is one thing that comes to my mind when I think about Ruff House BBQ it is how passionate they are about what they are doing. You can tell that this is more than just a business to them. They care about providing quality food to the Ventura community and keep affordability in mind. I was fortunate enough to sample most of their foods at a Yelp Elite event and have been twice now to take advantage of their $5 smashburger appreciation days. I hope to make it out one weekend to get some more of their fantastic pulled pork, brisket, and mac n cheese soon! They currently do not have a permanent "home" and mostly operate out of the Ventura Music Hall on the weekends and sometimes at Poseidon Brewery. They offer a variety of meats including home-made sausages, tri tip, ribs, chicken, and more! Jason really knows what he is doing and it shows in the quality and flavor of the food!

    Brisket mac

    Very friendly atmosphere. It's our first time trying the food from Ruff House. We ordered tri-tip (Saturdays only) Brisket-Mac, double-smashed +bacon burger, and Lemon Pepper Wings. Everything was amazing!!! We will be back.

    This esquite/corn was great,normally comes with chopped brisket at the top but I wanted it to shine as the star it confirmed it could be.
    Msjayfab G.

    Listen if you live around this spot you do not need to walk over or run, NO you need instead to teleport yourself asap and try this place out!!!! I give this place a 9 out of 10 for two reasons; 1- they forgot to put my bread in my meal which was a to-go order and 2- the potato salad had too much pickle juice. Butttttt besides that, this food was an entire house party in my mouth with all of your favorites. Mac n cheese, baked beans (which if u chop up the cheddar sausage and mix it into the baked beans were amazing; thank me later), Mexican style corn, ribs, brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and pork belly burnt ends. Normally I would share with my neighbors with any leftover foods, but not this time! Couldn't help to be greedy with this delicious food lol. Kudos to the chef, did absolutely a phenomenal job with the meats and of course the rest of the items with the exception of the potato salad but y'all may like it. I'm just not a fan of dill or pickle in my food.

    brisket plate, smash burger, large mac and cheese, and broccolini.

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    Ask the Community - Ruff House BBQ

    When is Ruff house bbq opening at the Gas Works?

    Asap. Hoping for less than 60 days. Until the 12-3 Saturday Sunday inside the music hall

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    Spencer Makenzie's Fish

    Spencer Makenzie's Fish

    4.0
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    This place might feel like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's right in the heart of Ventura -- and it…read moreabsolutely delivers. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming. Great bar setup, relaxed atmosphere, and a fun, lively environment without feeling overwhelming. The service was super friendly -- the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. Now the food... excellent across the board. The fish and chips were battered perfectly -- light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Not greasy, just done right. My son ordered the carne asada tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. He loved the seasoning and the flavor. I had the ahi burger, and it was cooked perfectly -- great texture, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. My wife ordered the original fish tacos, and they were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and great quality overall. One thing we really appreciated was the three different house sauces they offer. Each one was excellent and totally changes the experience depending on your palate. Whether you like something sweet, spicy, or slightly tangy to balance everything out, they've got you covered. It's a nice touch that lets everyone customize their meal. You can really taste the freshness in everything. It's a great family-friendly spot but also perfect if you just want to hang out at the bar and enjoy good food and good vibes. We had an awesome time and will definitely be back.

    This place is supposed to be a must try in Ventura and I read that it's one of the best seafood…read moretaco and burritos spots in California but it's not comparable to some great LA spots. First of all there were no Latinos in the restaurant as patrons and that was the first sign. We ordered the shrimp taco's, ahi tuna tacos and a burrito w grilled fish and shrimp the tortillas where cold ish grocery store quality -mission flour tortillas. The tacos had more mostly cabbage than shrimp and they were underwhelming. The burritos were ok but not great overall food was a let down. Service also not great still don't why people love this place must be nostalgic. L

    Photos
    Inside pic #1
    Inside pic #1
    Tempura Fish and Chips
    Tempura Fish and Chips
    Carne Asada  Street Tacos

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    Carne Asada Street Tacos
    Mothers

    Mothers

    3.8
    (391 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    fire tacos and the fries are good, definitely recommend coming here. people here are super niceread more

    5/5 - I can't believe I hadn't updated my review. What a terrible yelper…read more Mothers helmed by head Chef Cuevas now has tacos al pastor en trompo! Sad to learn they no longer had ribeye tacos. Those seriously my fave but it's ok. I love tacos period and Mothers is always a great choice with their menu updates so I know I can count on tasty food regardless! Most recently, I had the suadero, al pastor and asada. My fave? The suadero! The churros for dessert with your choice of dipping sauce are so good. The marg didn't disappoint either! I have visited multiple times and they just celebrated their one year! We love the vibes. Staff is so warm. It feel like at friend's casita as soon as I walk it. Always greeted and acknowledged. Amazing customer service. They do get really busy at times but I'm not in a rush when I dine out. I go to enjoy myself and have good food. Also... the people complaining about prices are a bit nuts. Who says great quality Mexican food is cheap. This idea that Mexican food is cheap just because it's Mexican is pure craziness. Mother's uses good quality ingredients, no seed oils and they source local products. They work with local bakeries and shop at local farm markets. love that they as a business support local too. Counter service - order up front, get a number & wait for your food at your table :) They call your number and you pick it up. Chill but such a nice space. I've attend different events from a night market to their anniversary party, always a great time. Parking is limited, so when I can't find parking a park a few streets away but I do not mind walking.

    Photos
    Not sure this is a good omen...  at least the number is not 666 ;)
    Not sure this is a good omen... at least the number is not 666 ;)
    Asada taco ribeye taco lengua taco
    Asada taco ribeye taco lengua taco
    Lamb Ribs

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    Lamb Ribs
    Ten Tigers

    Ten Tigers

    4.6
    (99 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Came on a Friday night and lovedddd the vibe. It was a perfect place for a date night and to meet…read moreup with friends for the holidays to catch up. Music not too loud and The fire pits and outside seating were dreamy and the drinks were so delicious and beautiful. Service was very friendly, they checked on us a few times and let us know when the kitchen was closing. We had the white tiger margarita, ventucky mule, and Jamaica margarita but with mezcal. All 3 were so flavorful and delicious and just the right amount of alcohol. I also ordered their fish tacos which were honestly perfect. Crispy, flavorful, fresh, no fishy taste. We will be back!

    Today we ordered two lattes, and unfortunately the overall experience left a negative impression…read more The drinks were prepared quickly, but the customer service and attitude of the employees were disappointing. My name was called, and when I went to pick up the drinks there was nothing on the counter. I noticed two drinks sitting on a high ledge and asked if they were mine. The employee simply responded, "Yeah," without any additional assistance. What concerned me most was that the hot lattes were served without lids or sleeves. Aside from being inconvenient, that seems like a safety issue, especially with hot drinks. As for the lattes themselves, they were okay but nothing memorable. Unfortunately, the service experience overshadowed the drinks, and it's not a location I plan to return to.

    Photos
    Beautiful indoor space
    Beautiful indoor space
    Cheesecake and they fortunately had a candle for us!
    Cheesecake and they fortunately had a candle for us!
    Tropical thunder

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    Tropical thunder
    Beach House Tacos

    Beach House Tacos

    3.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Beach House Tacos was a revelation. I didn't have huge expectations since it's a cute, small stand…read moreon the beach. The menu is simple and straightforward. I thought the tacos would be decent, had a good attitude coming here, but boy, what a nice surprise this place was! Small line in front, you order, pay, go inside, wait for your order at pick up window. Simple! Tables on the pier, and they have a patio facing the ocean, nice view. Picnic tables! They sell wine, beer, margarita-s. Great selection! But the tacos!!! We got 4 between me and my husband to share and sample: Baja Taco (got fried fish) had fresh ingredients, lettuce and a nice lime flavor! Beach House Tacos (got grilled fish), nice pineapple salsa, tender fish, nice sauces and lettuce. Calamari Taco - fried calamari - fresh avocado and cabbage, nice sauce - chipotle. Marilu Taco with popcorn shrimp with nice chile lime crema, not too spicy. Even the fried seafood here is fresh, not very fried, just a tad, nice and crispy, but not greasy. Loved every taco, they are all different than each other, they use fresh ingredients and vegetables, each had a great, original flavor, they don't skimp on anything - seafood or ingredients. By far, some of the best tacos I ever had, they go in my Top 5. 4 Tacos (they are big!) are enough for 2 people. My and my husband we also shared a portion of guac and chips, they reminded us of Mexico. The guac had a lime flavor and well mashed, the tortilla chips are thicker and extra friend. Great food, nice service, unpretentious taco stand on Ventura Pier. Nice views. Wonderful discovery and a nice place to eat at! I am a fan!

    This place is about everything you'd ask for from a beach taco stand. Above average effort goes…read moreinto the tacos, I can't speak for anything else but isn't that enough?? The service ranges from pleasantly passable to outstanding and at a counter service spot I don't expect anything special. The eating area has a great view and is usually clean and comfortable. If there's not an open spot or they're busier than usual and taking a while to bus a table you can just sit on the beach. Love a place with a good happy hour, too and this one hits the spot. Maybe get some more local craft brew options in here if you like want to improve for people specifically like me but overall a pretty great casual option. Who doesn't love a taco after a long, exhausting, beautiful day at the beach?

    Photos
    Beach House Tacos
    Chips & Salsa, grilled fish taco, fried fish taco, street tacos
    Chips & Salsa, grilled fish taco, fried fish taco, street tacos
    Outside from the pier

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    Outside from the pier

    Ruff House BBQ - bbq - Updated July 2026

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