The flavors are bold, smoky, rich, and ridiculously satisfying without feeling overly heavy or greasy. The meats are consistently tender, juicy, and full of that real wood-smoked flavor that good BBQ is supposed to have. Their smoking process really comes through in the taste :P And when they're on, the ribs are that perfect fall off the bone goodness that makes you stop talking for a second just to appreciate what's happening! What I really appreciate is that the meat usually isn't too fatty. You still get all the flavor and richness, but it feels balanced instead of overwhelming. Also, consistency matters with BBQ, and Slow Hand keeps us coming back because they deliver more often than not. Great smoke, great texture, great flavor. Just straight up satisfying every time :D Nomnomnomnomnomnomnom!!!! read more

This is one of my favorite spots to go for lunch. But sometimes you need to tell the good and the bad. Been here twice in the last month .So i thought the first time was a flook. I had to try it again same results. Hate to say it but all bad . I got the 2 plate for lunch ,brisket (fatty) and San luis ribs. Brisket was so dry look like cardboard ribs had a weird taste almost like if they were boiled first then cooked. It was such a disappointment .At least the bake potato was good .. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - 2 meat combo - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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I am a mortician for Diablo Valley Cremation. We had our company lunch today and oh man it did not disappoint! I got the small side salad with ranch, a small side of mac & cheese, as well as a small side of barbecue beans. Yummmm. It hit the spot. The salad was very simple, romaine greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I drizzled some of the barbecue sauce, which was amazing along with the ranch and oh my goodness it was good. The mac & cheese was rich, cheesy and creamy .... The beans were sweet and tangy.... And I got all three under $20 bucks! So good! Check em out! read more

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So we were driving home from visiting my partners parents for Father's Day and we both were in need of lunch - neither of us wanted the typical long drive foods so I decided to look around and found this place ! Ima so real - the marbled rye is what got me; the smoked corn beef and great vibes of people are what's gonna keep me !!! My god everyone was so sweet and just so happy to be there honestly with this food I can see why !! If you found yourself in a similar situation or just want to try something different - you can't go wrong with this place. Also very pet friendly! My baby was getting all the attention and was kept hydrated from the sweet staff !! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Smoked Corned Beef Reuben and Rib Plate with fries - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Well this was our first time here and it was delicious! The baby back ribs are perfectly cooked and seasoned! They are lean and meaty. We enjoyed the huge baked potato. Staff is so kind and helpful. Definitely coming back here! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Baby back ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Possibly the best bbq joint in the area! Great portions and sides. I still can't get enough of their McRib sandwhich special (Saturdays only) I love pairing their chipotle ranch with either regular fries or sweet potato tots. I'm a big fan of their coleslaw which is so refreshing to eat with the main meal and sides, it's not your typical coleslaw, it's better. They also have an AMAZING bread pudding desert to cap off your meal with. Their Martinez location has a nice outdoor seating with ample space, space heaters, under a white tent. Their indoor seating is cozy with some booths, bar seating, and tables. The service is always a 10/10, great employees who care and are friendly. They also have live music on Saturdays too! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Mc Rib Sandwich, Coleslaw, Sweet Potato Tots, Spicy Ranch - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Consistently tasty BBQ. Already fans of the Pleasant Hill location, we have been to the Martinez location on a few different occasions now. One time was to catch a friend's band play on the back patio, which is set up nicely for that purpose. More recently we popped in for lunch before seeing a matinee at the Campbell theater, only a 2-minute walk away. We were greeted quickly and warmly, placed our order, and took our number to our table on the patio. Our food was brought out promptly. I got a cobb salad with chicken and the half was still a generous portion for lunch. Other solid choices include the meat (seriously, any of it) and the mac and cheese. We'll be back! read more

Me and my son ordered sandwiches and they were both so good! I got tritip and he got the hot link. Also tried the baked beans and potato salad which were also amazing. My fav was the loaded fries read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Hot Link Sandwich Tri Tip Sandwich potato salad baked beans loaded fries - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Went to Slow Hand to watch a friend's band play. Rusty Giraffe. They were good. So was the BBQ from Slow Hand. Only 4 stars since my wife's large nachos were really not good due to the canned/fake cheese they used. The BBQed meat (brisket?) was tasty. I had the corned beef Reuben which was probably the best Reuben sammich I've ever eaten! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Corned beef Reuben was exceptional! - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Wow! I came here for the first time last night to meet up with friends for a double date and had seriously so much fun. Upon our arrival, Josh greeted my husband and I at the door. Since it was our first time there, he explained where everything was and we felt immediately at home. We were quick to notice their amazing beer selection not to mention all the items at the menu. I went with the brisket sandwich and added cheese on there. Wow, my taste buds, it was delicious. It's also pretty huge so it took me an hour to eat it. I ordered the combo which comes with one side so I went with the mac and cheese which was super yummy and a meal in itself really. Lastly, we enjoyed the jalepeno poppers that were just as delicious. To top of the refreshing beer and great food, they had a live band playing where we were sitting in the back (Harrison Flynn Band if I remember it correctly) -- we couldn't help but stay the whole time. It was a fun date night spot just singing along with the great weather. The vibes were amazing! Definitely check this place out, you will NOT be disappointed! We already can't wait to come back :) read more

Walt from Walt's Adventures reporting from Slow Hand BBQ in downtown Martinez, California. Upon visiting many restaurants, I have noticed that many menus serve similar dishes. Like many other establishments that cater to those patrons who desire a good BBQ, they have their main dishes, beans, a potato salad, and a bread side dish. I refuse to Categorize Slow Hand BBQ with these restaurants because Slow Hand BBQ is a prime example of what other eateries strive to become... one of the best BBQ restaurants in the Bay Area. I realize that my statement is bold but the taste of the meats, beans, and potato salad reminded me of a small town gathering of friends. The costumer service was friendly, the food was awesome, and it gave me a smile because I discovered their secret ingredient for their dishes...a bit of soul. Now if they served cornbread, this eatery would be to die for. In any case, I will be returning to the Slow Hand BBQ in Martinez. I recommend you do the same. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Martinez- downtown - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

I work at Diablo Valley Cremation and we had our office lunch provided by Slow Hand BBQ. EVERYONE in the office loved it!!! We will be Back here for sure!!! read more

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Our family-owned business is proud to support other family-owned businesses in our community. Every Thursday for 12 weeks, one of our team members gets to choose a local spot for lunch, and it's something we all look forward to each week. Today's pick was Slow Hand BBQ--and it definitely did not disappoint! From the moment we arrived, the staff was welcoming and attentive. Our entire team truly enjoyed their lunch, and everything was prepared quickly and to perfection. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service made the experience even better. We also want to show a little extra support, as their Pleasant Hill location recently burned down. Times like these are when local businesses need the community the most, and any support we can give is appreciated. We're grateful for great spots like this and look forward to continuing to support businesses in our area! read more

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Both the brisket and Tri-Tip were overcooked and dry, with very little smoke flavor/no smoke ring. Thought it was a fluke but all the yelp photos look the same, overcooked, dry and grey. Sides were good, but no one's goes anywhere for the sides. Our Server was so friendly, helpful and funny. I didn't catch his name but he definitely needs a raise. Come in for a beer, but the beef just not worth getting. read more

I just happened to be downtown here in Martinez running errands when that delicious smell of BBQ hit my nose and I just had to know where it was coming from.. ended up being here at Slow Hand. And boy am I glad I came, walked in and was welcomed by a very cool dude named Josh. Ended up getting the Pit Burger and I didn't even get a chance to take a picture because I inhaled it, was so DAMN GOOD! Also, have a really nice indoor ambiance and a very nice outdoor patio out back. 10/10 highly recommend!! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

In support of local businesses, today our office chose Slow Hand BBQ in Martinez. The staff was super friendly and made our large order flawlessly. The bacon onion jam in the burger was fantastic. Our entire staff enjoyed their lunch. Thank you to the amazing staff at Slow Hand! read more

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Definitely a 3.5. The BBQ was good but not memorable. If I were in the area I'd definitely eat here again, but if someone was asking me for a recommendation for barbecue places I wouldn't necessarily send them here. The ribs were wonderfully seasoned but a little dry, definitely needed to use BBQ sauce. The brisket was delicious. Mac and cheese was ok. The beans were strange tasting to me - tasted more like chili, kinda tomato-y. Definitely doesn't hurt to stop in if you're in the area. The service was great too! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Half Cobb Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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The service was friendly, it was nice and cool in the outdoor area but was hot in the restaurant. The live music was nice, the musician had a great voice and interacted with the crowd. That's where the positives stopped. The food this time was really bad. We got the two and two combo with brisket and chopped pork with mac and cheese and bbq beans. The meat was really dry, the mac and cheese was so bland and watery and the beans were so sweet they were inedible. I was so excited to come back, but the food just wasn't good. We will try a different restaurant next time we visit town. read more

This restaurant gets a solid 4 stars. On the night we went (a Thursday), it was crowded, with live music and a great vibe. The food was quite good. My son and I shared (meaning I ate about 6 chips and he ate the rest) an order of brisket nachos. Great flavor, the chips were just the right level of crunchiness, there was an abundance of toppings, and a good amount of brisket. I had the Jerk wings which were quite good. My son had a plate with brisket and St. Louis ribs, both of which were excellent. We shared 3 sides: the baked beans, which were good, if a little sweet, the Mac and Cheese, also quite good, and, my favorite, the coleslaw. Why was it my favorite? Because it's vinegar-based! Not a drop of detestable mayonnaise. Basically, I ate almost all of the slaw, my son at almost all of the Mac and Cheese, and most of the beans. Portions are generous, and we took food home. The menu has all the foods one would expect in a barbecue restaurant. There are salads, things that non-meat eaters can eat, and a really nice beer and wine list. The service was stellar. Friendly, informed, and just the right level of attention. They have a beef rib on (I think) Sundays, and smoked prime rib also on the weekend (possibly Friday too). We will be back to try those. read more

First time coming to this place and they did not disappoint. The staff was very welcoming and friendly especially to my two dog doggies. Food came out fast and I usually don't like barbecue food but the food was really good. I really enjoyed it and they had live music on Sundays during the day. well definitely be back. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Cheese fries with added brisket and the Sunday special - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Love this place! The brisket is absolutely to die for. I ordered catering for a party and it was a total hit. We had the brisket, tri-tip, and ribs, and everything was fantastic. They did mix up our order and gave us beans instead of mac & cheese, but they refunded part of the bill, which made up for the mistake. Definitely worth checking out! read more

"Hi - welcome in." Great service off the rip. Order at the counter, plenty of options to choose from. The cashier helped me narrow in on a great lunch. Great mix of chew vs melting with the meat. Very tasty, nothing too spicy or overpowering. Music playing overhead, high tops and dining tables. Nice little spot. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Smoked Corned Beef Reuben and sweet potato tots - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Tonight my brother and I decided to check out Slow Hand BBQ in Martinez. We kicked things off with the Brisket Nachos and Jalapeño Poppers. The nachos were surprisingly good -- and that's saying something since I'm not usually a nacho guy lol. The poppers, though, were a bit of a letdown -- soggy and seemed like they'd been made a few hours earlier. Still, even soggy bacon is better than no bacon, right? For dinner, I went with the Two-Meat Plate featuring St. Louis Ribs and Brisket, with coleslaw and sweet potato tots on the side. The sides just didn't quite hit the mark for me. The ribs were decent, but the brisket was the real standout -- tender, smoky, and full of flavor. My buddy had the St. Louis Ribs and Tri-Tip; he really enjoyed the ribs but wasn't impressed with the tri-tip. Service was friendly and attentive, and the ambiance was cool -- laid-back and perfect for a casual night out. They also have a solid beer selection, which definitely adds to the experience. Overall, Slow Hand BBQ has some bright spots (especially the brisket and service), but a few items could use a little more love to make it a home run. As I always say go check em out and have your own experience. And remember to follow me on IG @hungry_dude_usa read more

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Yesterday we went over to Sloan BBQ and Martinez some friends of ours are in the band and we're playing. We got there and ordered up some ribs and smoked chicken. We met a few of the employees in the process and they were incredible.. JOSH and MARCUS they were so friendly explaining everything and any questions that I had. They were more than happy to fill in the blanks.. I was totally impressed. The food was great. The music was great and the customer service was incredible A+. read more

Slow Hands BBQ never disappoints. The food is always a 10/10. It's honestly just expected at this point because they're so consistent every time we come. You also can't beat the all-you-can-drink soda, which is always a nice bonus. What really keeps us coming back though is the service. I don't usually write reviews about staff, but every time we're here, everyone is so friendly and welcoming. No matter who helps us, the service is always top notch and you can tell they really care about their customers. We usually come here after basketball tournaments, and it's always worth it. Great food, great people, every single time. read more

This was actually our 2nd time here, but our 1st was several years ago and the food is significantly more delicious from what we previously remembered. On Sundays, apparently, they have live music, so that was super nice. They also had beef ribs on Sunday! We ordered the plate with beef ribs and another with tritip and brisket. The beef ribs and brisket were really good. Tritip was good too, but the other two were more moist (and fatty lol) the way I liked it! Service was great too, the lady was so friendly and nice. Certainly a nice spot for bbq and portion was actually generous and wr had leftover. The Only thing was the potato salad was just so so and I wasn't a fan of the beans. But focus on the meat yo! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Give this place a try ! New to town. Super super clean , workers very nice ! Food was delicious and very flavorful, got Mac n cheese delicious. Got loaded fries and then a load bake potato. Both times were delicious read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Loaded bake potato and mac n cheese delicious - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Highly recommend! Delicious and generous servings. Loaded brisket fries, Mac and cheese, and brisket Philly were favorites. The people are friendly and quick to serve. Lots of tables for sitting in doors and an outdoor space in the back. Even when they are busy, service is quick. Bar service and beers also available. Will definitely be back and recommend. read more

BBQ is on point! Welcoming neighborly vibes both times there with great positive exchanges with staff. Add to your playlist!! read more

In the area, seen this spot and decided to try it out. I ordered the ribs, with a side and rolls. Ribs although tender, were very mid. The BBQ sauce had a soy sauce tang to it, I thought. Mac and cheese looked immaculate and cheesy but.. it was just ok. read more

My employer Diablo Valley Funeral Home ordered us lunch from Slow Hand today and it was delish!!! Best bbq I've had in quite some time. I got the brisket Philly and it had so much meat!!! Most places you just get a lump of meat on a sandwich--not here! The brisket was even on the sandwich and there was so much!! 10/10 recommend! The pickup service was quick and very smooth as well! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - BBQ beans - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Very friendly staff. Inside smells deliciously of smoke. The food was good. Tri tip was dry though. The ribs were great, as well as the jalapeño poppers. Mac and cheese was okay. My favorite from the whole meal was the coleslaw though, nice vinegar based slaw with good hints of bell pepper and parsley. Awesome beer selection. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Tri Tip, ribs, Coleslaw, Mac & Cheese, Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

We stopped in here as we were in the area and found it on Yelp. The reviews were favorable and bbq sounded like a good idea. The atmosphere is very casual and hospitable. And from the moment we walked in, the gentleman (we assumed he was the owner) was very welcoming and invited us in. He gave us a rundown of their offerings and gave us the feeling of being guests in his home. That is always a huge plus! The food itself exceeded our expectations. We ordered a variety of items from appetizers, to sandwiches and plates. Everybody enjoyed their meals and we left there feeling stuffed. The portions are generous and can be good for sharing depending on how hungry you are. The nachos comes in an individual order, or a sheet, but both sizes are good to share. They have a variety of beer offerings as well. I would dine here again if we are in Martinez. read more

Great corner spot in downtown Martinez. Enjoy some delicious bbq inside or out on the patio. The service is awesome. So friendly and welcoming. Probably why so many locals come here as they were greeted by name coming in from the staff. Always a great sign of a great spot. The bbq was absolutely amazing. Such a tender brisket and fall off the bone ribs. St. Louis and baby back. Hot link was sliced and good. Potato salad was excellent but the Cole slaw. Slamming. Mac and cheese and the bbq beans were very tasty. But my wife's favorite. The loaded baked potato. Perfect. The place gives you complimentary fountain drinks or water. Area has TVs inside but just a great environment to hang out and enjoy some fantastic bbq! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Hot Links. Baby Back ribs. Mac & Cheese BBQ beans. - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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I'm a funeral arranger at Diablo Valley Cremation and our company went with Slow hand for lunch today. Great food! I ordered the ribs and potato salad and it was delicious. The staff is amazing as well. I will definitely be returning again. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

I recently dine at Slow Hand BBQ with a family member. I will say that this is a place to have someone with you to eat with. The proportion of the food is huge. Me and a family member were not able to finish the food and ended up taking it home. The service at Slow Hand BBQ was good! We were offer great service with suggestion what to eat there. They even check up on us to see if we were doing OK. A small place with limited tables. They do have live music at the back of the restaurant outside with a portal potty. Good restaurant and great live music at Slow Hand BBQ read more

25 bucks got me a big a$$ Brisket Philly w/White American Cheese, Grilled Onions, House-made Pepper Onion Jam, small potato salad and an ice tea.....The sandwich was awesome....the pepper onion jam was good...potato salad was great...will be back...ate at nearby Martinez Marina...was nice... read more

This place is special!! For the friendliest service (consistently!!) in town, try Slow Hand. They ALWAYS greet us with smiles and truly care about you and your dining experience. As a vegetarian, I appreciate that they have some options that are delicious! The Cobb salad and sweet potato tots are to die for! They go above and beyond to welcome their guests which goes a long way in making our experience fantastic every time! read more

Love this place! Best BBQ in the Bay Area- so delicious, and the folks are so nice. How is this not 5 stars across the board? read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Love this place! - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Every time I go to Slow hand BBQ I am delighted with the food , the atmosphere , the kindness and professionalism of staff and the visible care put in to each order. Delighting my palate is so easy for Slow Hand , it's what they do !! Every time I leave , I cannot wait to go back ! read more