Having grown up in the San Carlos / bascom area a good part of my life, I have been here before but not in many years. A few highlights: - I'm very big on the sides served with the protein and the garlic bread(light and fluffy, not overcrisp), Chilli(just a tad salty but 9/10) and the potato salad are all smacking. - Got the half chicken which was juicy and massive. Good smoke. Just eat it with your hands and shower later. - Massive portions of protein and massive value. Moral of this atory is you can get a sandwich, chips and a drink for $20 or come here and get slow cooked stuffed with leftovers instead. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Half chicken platter and 2 meat platter. - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

my friend and i went here since he was craving some bbq beef ribs. i wanted to go to south winchester bbq but the friend didn't want to drive an extra 2 miles or so. we entered the establishment and was greeted with a live band in the outdoor seating area. walked inside to place an order and just thought the place was a tad too dark for our liking. we ordered the sampler combo which allowed you to pick 3 types of meat and a half rack of beef ribs. let me start by saying the beef ribs are amazing! huge with tons of meat. this is a must get. half rack is 4 ribs, while whole rack is 7 ribs. the sampler combo which consisted of chicken, brisket, carolina style pork was just ok. the chicken was not moist, the skin was crispy and just reminded us of roasted duck. the carolina pork was nothing memorable. the the brisket was the worst of them all. super dry and unenjoyable. it was a smart move for the to hide the brisket under the chicken. VERY DISAPPOINTED on how they did me. all the sides were average, nothing to talk about. if i were to ever come back, ill just stick with the beef ribs read more

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Delicious bbq place My daughter and I grabbed a late lunch here on the way to visit (mom/wife) at the hospital. It was delicious! I had the hotlink and fries. The hotlink was perfectly cooked juicy and just the right amount if spiciness. The French fries were yummy! I think they are fried in lard or beef fat since they were so yummy! Very crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Again they were very tasty! My daughter had the small plate of ribs and a 1/2 pound of brisket. She said she wasn't hungry..... She loved the juicy tender ribs and the tender and juicy brisket as well! She must have really liked it since she coveted the left overs to take home! The ambiance is vey cozy and comfortable to sit in all day long and pass the day by eating delicious bbq! Lovely place! read more

On the plus side, the music and service is good and there's plenty of parking. The sauce and sides are pretty good. On the minus side, even for the Bay Area (a very low bar for BBQ), the BBQ meats are well below average. We had chicken, ribs, and sliced beef at our table, and they were all dried out and chewy. The chicken was so smokey it tasted like they poured liquid smoke all over it. We all had sore jaws from trying to eat this shoe leather. For a nice night out, have a drink and listen to some live music here, then eat dinner somewhere else. read more

My roommate and I went to Sam's BBQ last week. We had such a great time. The Blues band was amazing and their bbq eats were so good. I had the brisket and it was delicious. I hadn't been to Sam's for many years and I will be back soon. read more

Came back for the smoked chicken salads, 1 regular and 1 Caesar. I's been a WHILE since we were here last. There was plenty of chicken but the salads weren't worth the price. The iceberg lettuce was bland, we prefer spring mix (and requested it but didn't get it). One salad had no dressing. The garlic bread was stale and disappointing. Sad to say, we won't order these again. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Smoked Chicken Salad with spring mix instead of iceberg. - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

Sam's BBQ used to be good but wow the quality is terrible now. Pretty disappointing. Brisket and rib combo - the meat was so so dry and rough, it was like chewing a piece of beef jerky. If you want good bbq, please save your money and go elsewhere. SAMS, please retrain your staff, this is not OK to serve to customers. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Soooo dry - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

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We waited an hour with staff just staring at us for sub par bar-b-que. Wouldn't go back.

I thought it was an okay bbq spot. We had ordered beef ribs, brisket, some other protein I can't remember and some sides. The only side i really enjoyed was the garlic bread. The ribs themselves were very large. I'm not the biggest fan of messy foods to eat, so take that into consideration when you read this review, but wow the getting the beef ribs were tough and hard to eat. The flavor was there, but just difficult. Brisket was good. The slices were thin. Overall, there's other bbq places I like more in bay area. One thing that is different about this place though is that I understand beef ribs are not as common and this is one of the spots that serves them in the bay. So that might be your reason to come here. read more

Not the greatest BBQ spot I've been to, but it's passable. The brisket wasn't the most melt-in-your-mouth tender, but it still had good flavor. The ribs were saucy and actually pretty tasty, probably the highlight of the meal. I wasn't a fan of the interior setup or decor. It didn't feel very comfortable or inviting to me, but that could just be a personal thing. read more

We have been going here for years but our last two visits have been disappointing. The fries were not great. Oily tasting. This last visit we ordered burgers. One skimpy onion ring and there was more lettuce than beef. Don't recommend for burgers. read more

Great bbq and sauce! Love it either eating here or getting it to go! Definitely go here!

Have been coming here for years! The last three times, the baby back ribs were terrible! They are so dry, you have to really chew through them! Each time I thought (Or hoped) it was just a bad day! Apparently they changed their recipe a couple years ago. Sadly I likely will not go back! Even the sides were not great! The macaroni, potato and coleslaw have too much mayo and the garlic bread was dry and flavorless. I would rather stay home and make my own! They are juicy and flavorful!1 read more

The food was good. We both had a combo with ribs and brisket. The brisket was tender. The ribs were good. Unfortunayely, they didn't have ribeye when we went. I'd probably rate the food 4 stars, but the service was only 2 atars. The cashier looked bothered when we asked questions, as well as when I ordered the ribeye. Given the selection of good barbecue around these days, I'll probably stay away just to because of the service. The food isn't overpriced, but it's not cheap. It deserves better service. read more

Been a patron for over 10 years and I feel Sam's has gone down hill. Their sauce is elite - will continue to buy. However the price is now so inflated; over 30$ for 3 meats - being 4 slices of brisket (double order) and chicken was under-whelming. 18$ for a sausage in a bun with some peppers and onions is unreal. And then we had a hair in our meager salad. Sad they got rid of some long time menu items like the bootlegger, baked potato and stuffer special. read more

Great BBQ by a locally-owned neighborhood place. I recommend the brisket and chicken. Dine in to enjoy Santa Clara Valley historic mementos and an electric train! read more

The ribs were bad. Tough, chewy, and loaded with fat -- and not the good kind. No smoke ring, barely any smoke flavor, and nothing close to tender. For barbecue, that's the bare minimum. These didn't even come close. Would not order again. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Baby Back Ribs - 1/2 Rack - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

Great place for live music. Check it out!!! They play Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The patio is very nice. read more

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Lets start with the positive: chicken was juicy and tasty! Fries were hot and crispy. The salad was fresh, crispy and the blue cheese dressing was homemade and very good. The place was clean Negatives: Service was average... they all looked tired and wanted to go home. The place closes at 9 but they were all cleaning at 8... hate when they are spraying cleaners around food. They now charge for hot BBQ saice. read more

The smell of this place is what attracted me as I was walking by. The brisket burger is really good with the side of beans. I definitely will be coming back. read more

Visited Sam's on Mothers Day 5/10/2026 to get the wife baby back ribs and beef ribs for myself, I live in Soquel and have visited Sam's numerous times as it was a fave. Unfortunately when I got have the full rack of beef ribs was not even close to edible and borderline rancid, maybe the toughest attempt at a bite known to man. I even attempted to use a knife and fork which again didn't work. I called same day shortly after and was told the manager is off and they're under new ownership. I left my name and number expecting a call back and received a message 7 days later that they would reach out which never happened. We will never attempt Sam's again as the beef ribs were downright gross. The baby back ribs were great which the wife loved and sides were great as expected. Pretty bummed this place never attempted to fix this issue with a call back as I did not want to right a sour review. read more

It's okay, not amazing, but definitely a solid choice for a casual meal. I'd rate it more of a 3-star spot on an average day, but I've got to give it 4 stars for the party we threw there. The staff was super helpful and made everything run smoothly, which really helped make the event a success. The barbecue itself is good--grubbin' for sure! The flavors are tasty, and the meat is cooked well, though I've had better barbecue elsewhere. The real highlight, though, is the great selection of brewskis. It's always nice to have plenty of drink options to pair with your meal. Overall, Sam's Bar-B-Que is a solid option for a laid-back meal with friends or family. While it might not blow you away, the good food, helpful staff, and beer selection definitely make it worth a visit. read more

Non-existent customer service; $7.45 for French fries? Never again! Too many other options!

Food: Not like the old days! The pulled pork tasted like it was boiled! The baby's back ribs were fair , not as great as before, and who decided that cilantro paired with chili beans! The brisket was thin , don't bet on getting fat with that, the juice is at the bottom of the pot! Service: amazing , she's an asset from the original Sam's! She put the BBQ hospitality in BBQ. Ambiance: Same ole Sam's! And on a side note: what happened to supporting your veterans ??? Sam did! read more

Love the rustic atmosphere. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Food is consistently great. Love coming and sitting around on music nights. read more

The ribs were fine, portion size fair. Taste was okay, service smooth, three stars feels right. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

Sam's Bar-B-Que deserves some credit for how well they cooked the ribs we got today. Very nice temperature, seasoning and bark! Their spicy sauce was perfection, with just the right amount of kick that you want. The service was great and they brought our food to the table. Ambiance was comforting, crowd was diverse, and the overall experience was a solid one. Would recommend! read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Baby Back Ribs - Full Rack - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

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Greeted by the cashier and she asked me what I wanted to order. I got the BBQ sampler and when she asked me what meat I wanted I couldn't decide right away. The.n she proceeded to roll her eyes at me, like I was taking too long. Talk about customer service. Then she looked at my son and she started to smile at him. The baby back ribs were good but the rest of the meats were average (ham, brisket and pulled pork). Nothing notable about the sides - I've had better potato salad from grocery stores. The environment was okay, quick service and easy to find seating. Patio area is dog friendly. I would personally only return for the ribs and if in the area. Ze Endz. read more

Sam's is one of the few BBQ restaurants that always has beef ribs, which are my favorite kind of BBQ Ribs. The portion is large (full rack (7 large ribs) $35.56 for the a-la-cart order without side dishes). The price is a bit high, but the ribs are delicious and meaty and worth it. My wife and I split the full rack of beef ribs and we had leftovers for another meal. You order and pay at the counter. When the food is ready it will be brought to your table. The decor is classic informal. There are two dining rooms. The inner room (where the ordering counter is) has an electric train going on a shelf next to the ceiling. It used to have a full train with several cars, but now it just a locomotive. We have been coming here for years and always enjoy their food! read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Full rack of beef ribs - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

First off, once Dale Swanson left as the bartender, the beer selection has gone downhill. I'm urrently at the bar by myself and I've been without a drink for almost 15 minutes. Mind you the sit down part of the restaurant is filling up and nobody has checked on me ( sounds like a staffing issue) but I guess my money is not as good as everybody else's. I've been waiting to place a to go order and order another substandard beer, but I guess I'll keep waiting. There's even an employee in front of me pouring somebody else a beer who hasn't even acknowledged me. She handed the guy standing next to me a beer and then walked away. I'll be going to South Winchester BBQ to place my to go order read more

Been coming here 15+ yrs. Yesterday was probably the last. Ya'll aren't smoking the brisket. You're slow cooking in oven and finishing over smoke. Proof is in the taste and pix here to prove. Same awesome service and pulled pork. But, the brisket hybrid isn't gonna cut it. I can get roast beef elsewhere for less. Get it together Sam... read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Oven cooked brisket, maybe smoked for an hour or so. - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

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Hard to find beef ribs around here! So I was happy that they had them. They tasted very good but the meat was really tough. Not at all fall off the bone. I liked the barbecue sauce. The coleslaw was very good, not dry at all. The garlic bread was OK. Went there on a Tuesday for lunch. Not crowded at all. The person who took our order was very helpful and friendly. Service was quick. I was a little disappointed to see that the model train that runs around the top of the walls wasn't working. I probably will go back but I wish their meat on their beef ribs was a lot more tender. read more

Placed an online order for pick up because delivery wasn't an option. Was missing an item. Tried to call and the non english speaking woman hung up in me three times. Food was cold, my chicken was dry and we didn't receive any utensils or condiments...they didn't even put a lid on the potato salad. read more

Let's start with this I NEVER EVER EAT BBQ!!!!!!!! However my man loves it so much so today I treated him I was ok with whatever I found on the menu lol So we got a combo pate with baby back ribs, barbecued pork, ribs, and brisket with macaroni salad, and a baked potato and a piece of garlic bread Our appetizer was fried zucchini with ranch dipping 2 diets cokes lol Well the food was AMAZING DELICIOUS AND FRESH I'm so shocked how good this food was I Am so glad that we came tonight... I'm turned on to bbq for sure The employees were super chill and friendly help me with the menu as it was our first time coming. The workers are on it the place was so clean and fresh the even had outside heaters love it love it.... My experience was amazing for a whopping 61$ I'm very happy with this price I will be coming back thank you Sam read more

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My family had a craving for BBQ and decided on Sam's since we hadn't been here for probably three years. I was pleasantly surprised that they updated their menu with digital monitors, which they installed about two to three months ago. AND they put in a new bar, which had been about three weeks ago. I ordered the quarter chicken and ribs combo and got chili & beans and a green salad as my two sides (28.95) I love their BBQ sauce, tangy with a tinge of spicy. The chicken was very good and smokey. The ribs were good but the outside was hard. It was a little disappointing, but, again, the flavor was good and smokey. The service was great and the cashier was very friendly. It's nice to see that they updated the place. They still have the railroad track that runs all the way around the dining area toward the ceiling, but now it's just the locomotive and no coal car, passenger cars, and caboose. read more

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i have loved sam's bbq for years, and i hate to do this but i have to. tonight at 7:45 pm as my husband & i were enjoying my bbq beef sando, and he his bbq pork sando, sitting inside at the table nearest the counter where we had ordered, i never expected what happened tonight. we were order number 59. in the middle of a bite of righteous bbq beef, i felt a tickle on my right leg above the ankle, i looked down under the table & was shocked & disgusted to see a huge 2" cockroach crawling creepily up my leg!!!! omg! oommggg! how thoroughly gross, sickening & disgusting!! i immediately ran up & told one of the servers, she looked at me in disbelief. but when i pointed out the offensive cockroach on the rug inside the door. she nonchalantly scooped it up with a broom & pan, & left with it. okay, peeps, i got no apology, no sympathy. nothing. nada. zip. what the actual fuck, sam's????? i was surprised, disappointed, and needed to leave immediately, hoping i didn't throw up my dinner right there in the dining room. i was practically crying as we got to our truck... my stomach was churning, i felt i would throw up any second! we made it home in 6 minutes, and i threw up in my own bathroom instead of in front of other unsuspecting diners, saving myself the embarassment of that. i also saved those other diners from experiencing that filthy cockroach. i'm still nauseous thinking about it & telling it here.. but surprisingly, like i said, i got no apology, wtf? what did i want? some kind words, an apology, offer to refund my dinner, but i got nothing. an apology is the least i could have expected. will i go back? nope. i cannot. and i think others should hear about this, expecially since a 2" cockroach climbing up a customer's leg is so revolting, yet it was treated so casually! i used to love going to sam's bbq on bascom! gave them 5 stars before this...but now? i'm looking for bbq elsewhere. period. i called & asked to speak with the manager, but they said he wouldn't be in till tomorrow morning at 10:30 am. i will be calling i think she said tom carlino tomorrow morning... the 2 stars today is because the bbq is so tasty. i could not let this go unnoticed. read more

The food used to be much better than it is now. Been coming here for 10 plus years and it was always the best. Went back the other night. They ran out of steak, ribs were way under cooked. Chicken was dry. Not the sane. Wont be back. read more

Always like Sam's BBQ. I always order their Beef Ribs. Not all places have beef ribs, so I get them when I can. This place does them really well. From the looks of them it seems like they would be dry, but they are very moist and flavorful. I like the potato salad because it's not dry like a lot of other BBQ places. And for some reason I really like their Garlic Bread. The ladies working there are very friendly. And they have fountain soda, so you can get your own refills (a big plus in my book). Atmosphere is a family Mom n Pop place with decor that you would see in a family home. And there's a model train running along the ceiling which I think is pretty cool. read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Beef Ribs - Full Rack - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

Had bbq beef ribs half a rack, French fries, garlic bread and coleslaw! I have eaten there for years. Service is great. The place is clean and cozy inside, outside covered patio with heaters. Great place to eat. read more

This is ADDRESSING The bake potatoes here , they are LOUSY ! Everything else is pretty good , but bake potatoes MUST be cooked fresh to order ! They are overcooked , have a yellow dingy appearance , and are unpalatable Come on , it's not that hard ! , I cook them all the time at home and they are excellent fresh , just stagger them in the oven on a busy night and they will be a thousand times better ! I wouldn't serve these baked potatoes if I had a restaurant , if you can serve them and cook them correctly , then DONT ! I would be embarrassed, and I've come here for 12 years and they HAVE NOT CHANGED ! So this is a call to CHANGE , to make things better ! Don't do what's easier do what's BETTER ! Until then I will order potatoe salad , I'm DONE with baked potatoes here. I Would love to see the owner eat like 3 of his baked potatoes in a sitting :) After paying 50$ for a prime rib plate and a soda water , you'd think you would have a properly cooked starch !! read more

Sam's Bar-B-Que - Blue cheese salad, I'm feeling the love here! - Barbeque Near Me - San Jose, California

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