Have eaten here once before a few years ago, and the food was great and good portions. Today I ordered 1/2 lb of Beef Brisket and received THREE slices for $15.95!! These were not large slices but measured approximately 3" long by 2" wide, with a 1/2" fat strip running through it! A kind server told me it would come with rolls and pickles slices but I guess since I ordered it to go, it came with nothing! I wish I had opened my package when I was still there, so I could have demanded a refund! I could have BBQ'd my own Brisket and had more than 3 slices to eat for this price! I will NEVER eat here again, nor do I recommend this place to anyone unless you have the money to waste! If I could rate it less than one star, I would! read more

I love this place so much. Great food and great customer service. Everyone here is so nice. The brisket nachos are amazing and the chips they use are delicious and don't get soggy. 10/10 would recommend! read more

The brisket was wonderful. The service was great.The ambience could use some music. But we loved it. read more

Another non-disappointed patron! Opted for the Philly Brisket with Sweet Potato Tots. On the spot all was good and filling. Service is top notch friendly greeted upon opening and welcoming. Also not felt rushed out the door as we reposed the food. Need more of these locations in the greater Sacramento area. Give them a try. read more

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What a wonderful surprise! Ordered takeout for a large family gathering and everything was so good! Ribs, chicken, pulled pork, potato salad and coleslaw were all winners! Will definitely order again soon!! read more

We've always loved this location of Slow Hand! Service is always fast and very friendly, and they keep the place really clean. Today we ordered a brisket and tri tip sandwich, both were absolutely delicious and they gave us plenty for leftovers! The reason for 4 stars is due to the Mac & cheese and potato salad not being too good, they both tasted like they had been sitting for awhile. The potato salad had far too much mustard in it as well. Other than that, we love Slow Hand! read more

The Ambiance is great, the time we went it was quiet, relaxing not loud. Place is clean. The service was great, very friendly staff. Our orders came with fountain drinks no extra charge. The food was delicious!! We were looking for a GOOD BBQ place and this is it!! Come try this place!! read more

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Great beef rib! A must get, but only on the weekends! At times the music and the amazing BBQ are fantastic combo! The vibe is great for families and friends. A chill evening with great food. What you see is what you get - GO! read more

We ordered hungry so we ordered ALOT but everything was delicious. We were disappointed there was no bread pudding left though lol. We opted for eating outside because it was a beautiful day. There was a station in the bathroom with a bunch of free products for women which I thought was a great touch! Portions are huge so we definitely left full! read more

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Q for 2 cones with choice of 2 meats and 2 sides We decided to do baby back ribs and brisket and for the sides we did sweet potato tots coleslaw and added mac n cheese. Everything was packaged up nicely for our 20 min ride home. We got enjoy wonderful food at home and everything was so delicious!! The brisket was my fav and the sides they all were so good it's hard for me to pick one but the coleslaw was so different and I loved it!! Sorry no pics available as I was so hungry and totally forgot. The amount of food we got for the price was perfect! We definitely want to return to try the prime rib sandwich that's only available on Fridays. So this post will be updated. read more

came here for lunch while working in Martinez. Staff was super friendly, place was clean and food was great.

I had been wanting to try this spot for quite some time, but the pandemic got in the way. Their BBQ methods sounded pretty enticing with California white oak used in their smokers and the actual barbecuing happening in brick pits. Besides, who doesn't like a slow hand? That was what the Pointer Sisters wanted back in the day, but I don't think they were singing about pork ribs. I made my way to Main Street after strolling along the Carquinez Strait for a while. I decided to pick up dinner for Jamie W. and me just because I'm the model spouse. Of course I didn't text him to ask what he actually wanted. No matter as we eat pretty much anything. The place was certainly bustling with a lot of regulars who appeared to know the staff really well. I got the $15.95 half rack of St. Louis Ribs because I heard that was their signature item (photo: https://bit.ly/3Tuu6dW). Good pork, pretty meaty and not saucy since they provide that separately. I also got the $13 half pound of Tri Tip Beef which was a bit dry (photo: https://bit.ly/3Um7oG5), but by far, the best item was the $13 half pound of tender Beef Brisket, smoked nicely (photo: https://bit.ly/3UDpL94). That in itself was worth a return visit. Since man can't live on meat alone, I thought a side dish was warranted. I didn't see anything I would describe as healthy, mostly the fixings you'd expect at any BBQ joint. I decided on the $5.50 Medium SHBBQ Picnic Potato Salad, which was saturated with mayo and consequently quite satisfying (photo: https://bit.ly/3UErqvc). Jamie was pleased with my haul, FOOD - 4 stars...really solid BBQ with a standout brisket AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...probably best for big parties SERVICE - 4.5 stars...friendly and generous... they even added a couple of their warm rolls for free TOTAL - 4 stars...good to have a dependable 'cue option in these parts RELATED - Exploring Martinez? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2x1rlsD read more

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Slow Hand has stood the test of time. They're "teenagers" now. There's been a noticeable growth of BBQ places in Central Contra Costa (notably in Lafayette and Danville) and the best known competitor to Slow Hand is just down the road. Yet Slow hand is my choice because I tend to judge BBQ restaurants by one main item pork RIBS! Slow hand has the best IMHO. I love the fact they offer both St. Louis and Baby Back ribs and even more so because you can get a combo 1/2 order (perfect for a single) or full. The staff is extremely friendly. The vibe is casual, laid back, excellent menu, and a very good beer and wine selection. Parking can be a slight issue because Slow Hand gets busy. Their online ordering is fast, efficient and your order is always ready on time. Well worth giving it a try. I did and now Slow Gand is my go-to BBQ restaurant. read more

Had a delectable Brisket Sandwich and a nice cold beer for lunch while waiting out jury duty. Meat was tasty, tender, juicy, full of flavor. Bread was fresh, nice consistency and held the load of meat perfectly. Supposedly one of the sauces was spicy but it wasn't packing the heat I expected. Still was a nice add on for the sandwich. Beer menu is robust and has some good quality craft beers. Service was stellar. Young lady behind the register was handling orders, drinks and running food until the line got about 6 deep. She did it all with a bubbly smile! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Salvation from Russian River. Love the beer selections! - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Always a good time at slowhand bbq. The staff is very nice, and the location is great. Nice seating inside and a very large patio outside. They do live music too which is nice offering. The food is top notch, big fan of the ribs and chicken. A nice selection of drinks for the non alcoholic purveyor and a ton of beers for the hop head. I'll be back! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - St St. Louis Ribs with German Potato Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

I'm never in Martinez so when saw there was a BBQ joint nearby I had to go. The brisket sandwich is a 10/10. You can taste the slow. Both sauces were great too. I hope I can get back soon! Thanks Slow Hand read more

Met up with and old friend from High School and originally decided to go to Lucille's in Concord, that is until I found out they are "Permanently" Closed. I've eaten at the Slow Hand BBQ in Pleasant Hill and wasn't a fan. I noticed they opened up a new location in Martinez and decided I had to try them. Night and Day difference from Pleasant Hill. The Restaurant is cozy, seems more organized, the Ribs are Moist, Smokey, Tender and yummy. I like the IPA beers they offer on tap as well. I understand they also serve Beef Ribs on Sundays. It's definitely worth the drive from Fairfield for a BBQ Fix.. I even got a Half Rack to go. Great Job Slow Hand BBQ.. read more

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Spontaneous date night. Our order: St. Louis Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Smoked Jerk Rub Wings, German Potato Salad, Sweet Potato Tots. I'm in love with the German potato salad - vinegary, tangy, light and refreshing in between bites of barbecued fats. Both the ribs and wings were juicy and flavorful on their own, the wings in particular had a crust that provided outstanding crunch. The chopped pork, which is their variation of pulled pork (and the only meat that has sauce!), was a little too salty for me. I felt that the sauce took away from its original goodness and overwhelmed my tastebuds. The sauce tasted similar to the dry rub used on jerk chicken. My partner was initially skeptical of the "soupy goopy" mac and cheese but was won over at first bite. I loved the sweetness that each tot added to the meal. Unfortunately, we were out of stomachs for dessert - I definitely want to try the key lime pie next time! Spacious patio out back by residential area with heaters, high tables and picnic tables, decorated with string lights. Live music and shows are offered at this location. Friendly service, will be back. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - St. Louis Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Smoked Jerk Rub Wings, German Potato Salad, Chopped Pork, Sweet Potato Tots - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Outstanding food. We went to a private party there and the food was amazing. The service was fantastic. I'll be going back.

So I started coming to Slow Hand during the pandemic, when everything was to-go; I'd grab the Jerk Chicken wings and a Craft Beer at the liquor store and head to the park. Now years later, I've started to come back...you kind of forget the things that carried you thru when nothing was open. But I am delighted that the food is equally as consistent and delightful...and not because it's the only thing in town. The ambiance is laid back, and even though it feels that way the staff who checks on dine-in dinners makes you feel like VIP, even in a full room of families and softball players. It's a walk up counter, so perfect for splitting checks before sitting down in a group. PS It's Maddie in particular was rocking the room with her positive service, and the gentleman taking the order went above and beyond too...the entire Saturday Lunch was a positive stop. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Jerk Chicken Wings - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

The minute we opened the door we knew we were in for a great meal and fun night! The aroma of various types of bbq - the list of custom brews, and tables set with a variety of sauces and utensils we couldn't wait to dive in! All items ordered exceeded our expectations! We will definitely be back! On top of that they had an amazing live band in the back! This joint is a jewel! read more

The staff is great and I love supporting local businesses. I've been to this location several times since 2022 and unfortunately have had some really good experiences with the food and some not so good. That said, they have live music and downtown Martinez is always a fun place to be. It's worth a visit. read more

This place has indoor and a large outdoor seating area. Super friendly staff and quick service. They even provided a water bowl for our pup. Got a big eyes plate with St. Louis ribs, hot links and brisket. Sides were max n cheese, SHBBQ potato salad and beans. Meats were good and tasty. Brisket was tender and didn't have too much fat on it. Ribs were flavorful and juicy. Hot links were spicy and casing had a nice snap upon biting. Mac n cheese was ok, not super cheesy but still good. Potato salad was really good and flavorful. Baked beans were just ok. Also came with pickles and rolls. Would definitely come back again! read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Big Eyes Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

I normally love the place and have preferred it over the Pleasent Hill location. When I got my order my brisket was dry and flavorless even with the fat on there. I had this problem a couple of times at the Pleasent Hill location as well. I had also gotten corn of the cov extra with my meal but there was no butter no seasoning and nothing was given on the side. The service was good and the ambiance was nice too. It's the food that is slowly going south. For the amount of money I paid and the little meat I did get it should have been on point. I won't be back for a long while. As I said this wasn't the first time. read more

enjoyed the barbecue and they had great music from Jinx Jones. We are always surprised at the warmth and variety of businesses in the downtown area of Martinez and Slow Hand is a highspot. coming back soon read more

Awesome place. Friendly staff and the food rocks! We shared the Chopped Pork on Hawaiian Sliders and the Come to Poppa Sandwich. Sides we chose were Coleslaw and Potato Salad. Sliders were rich and mildly spicy. The Come to Poppa sandwich hit all the notes - rich & spicy, with crunchy fried onions on top. Both sides were excellent. The coleslaw was tangy and spicy with no mayo. Potato salad hit the spot, too. We will be back read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Chopped Pork Sliders and Come to Poppa Sandwich with Coleslaw and Potato Salad. Pickle garnish were some of the best pickles we have had. - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Downtown Martinez is changing. Old rundown shops used to fill the Main St. when I was going to St. Catherine's in the 90's. I remember a McDonalds next to the court house being the nicest thing downtown. That's no longer the case. Along Main St. are an abundance of restaurants, in which Slow Hand is one of them. They offer great smoked BBQ, and a decent price. The people are friendly, the ambiance is casual, and you really can't ask much more than that. My family, at my suggestion, went to Slow Hand because It opened up a while back, and I'm a self-proclaimed foodie. I know good BBQ. Hell, I know bad BBQ. I smoke at home for a hobby, and after many cuts of meat, and many hours on YouTube, I know how these cuts should taste. And Slow Hand just does that. Walked in at about 6pm, greeted by the guy at the register, he offered his opinion when I asked, and we ordered a bit of everything (Brisket point, Tri Tip, Hot Links, Ribs, Tots, and Coleslaw). There's seating in the front as well as the back. Covid-19 dictates that you must have proof of vaccine before eating indoors. All of the food was amazing. The Tri-tip did lack a bit of flavor in the "bark" , but the texture was there, and it was remedied with a bit of their sauces. The point of the brisket was Juicy and flavorful. The ribs (both St. Louis and BB) were NOT fall off the bone, and many professionals pitmasters will tell you that fall off the bone means its overcooked. I'm true to that. You want some chew. The hotlinks had great flavor as well, and weren't dry or wrinkled like you always get at places like Dick's. Coleslaw was vinegar based, and AMAZINGLY fresh. Good kick of sour with all that rich meat. Lastly the Tots were a great recommendation, and a great complement to the meal. Oh, and the kicker to great BBQ? King's Hawaii'n Rolls. That's the slam dunk right there. These guys know what they are doing. This could possibly be the champion in BBQ in the East Bay. I can't compare it to Kinder's, although I haven't had catering done by Kinder's, which matches better with what Slow Hand is doing. I'll have to try Sauced next, and we'll see who reigns supreme. Until then, I'll be back 100% with my family, and bringing my brother here when he visits. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

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Stopped here randomly this afternoon to grab a bite with a friend and wow.. that was one of the best burgers I've ever had! Their bacon/onion jam is awesome and I liked their bbq sauce too! And..they served our sandwiches with... pickles!! read more

Stopped by for lunch. Customer service was great. It's a charming place in downtown Martinez. Food was good but a little dry. Expect to pay bbq prices because good bbq takes time. I'll definitely go back to try some other menu items. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Jalapeño poppers, coleslaw,Mac & Cheese,Beef Brisket,Hot Links. - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Loved that I could order online for catering for my baby shower. This was such a convenient and simple process! The portion sizes of brisket, chicken, and sides were HUGE! So many people came up to ask where we got the food from, so it was very well received! Prices are very reasonable. The staff were extremely kind and helpful. Would certainly order from here again for any event. Highly recommend! Thank you, Slow Hand, for helping make our party such a huge success. read more

What a disappointment. This use to be my spot! I worked in Martinez for over 5 years and would frequent here , even before it was slow hand. Id drive 30 min to get bbq from here. I'm giving 2 stars for customer service and dessert. The quality of their meat has dropped drastically, I've never had a drier brisket in my life, it also had no smoke ring, no bark and no seasoning. The chicken breast on the salad was rock hard, the Mac and cheese was bland the beans were overly sweet. The restaurant was clean and welcoming but they need to get the food together in order for me to return. Oh yes key lime pie was fire. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Beans, MAC, dry chicken on salad. Den m we'd - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

I went here today for the first time. Got a sandwich and a side of Mac n cheese. I am so full. Sandwich had so much meat! Big portion of mac n cheese. I'm very impressed Clean restroom, friendly staff, two TVs, historic photos of Martinez on the wall, nice artwork in the windows. This place is cool. I really like this place. What a nice surprise. read more

We had been craving BBQ for weeks and hubby just happened to be in Martinez, so I asked him to go here. I wish I could say one thing good about the food, but I just can't. Bland and basic. Lack of seasoning right down to the potato salad The next day, I was able to salvage the beans by doctoring them up with some BBQ sauce we had at home, added honey, chopped onions and peppers. I added salt and pepper to the potato salad and saturated the ribs, and let them simmer on the stove in BBQ sauce. I am not sure if they boil or bake their ribs and maybe put them on the grill for a short time, because if these ribs were grilled, we did not see a smoke ring at all. I could be completely wrong. Perhaps they were grilled???‍ The bread pudding was just ok. Oh wait, I do have one good thing to say, the bourbon sauce that they serve with the bread pudding was actually good. Not worth the $76.00 we spent. Sadly we won't be back. Every place is not for everybody. This was our personal experience and it was lacking...completely...in taste. read more

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Too expensive : call me crazy, but 15.95 before tax for three rolls and a small container w pork ? Maybe a side of slaw would have softened the blow ? read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Pork sliders - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Located next to other small restaurants in a beautiful area, came here on New Year's day after taking a detour d/t the flash floods happening in Sacramento. Inside has a cozy western feel with a bar top area, and plenty of tables, it wasn't too busy when we came, restrooms available for customers, very clean, beer on tap and small individual wines, and a fountain drink area. We ordered the 1/2 beef brisket, 1/2 tri-tip, Side of coleslaw & mac & cheese, they have a huge menu on the wall, everything we ordered was simply delicious. Probably one of the best coleslaws I've tried so far it was vinegar based blend with bell peppers which pair nicely with the meat. The prices were pretty reasonable (35$) which satisfied both of us! So glad we stopped by on our way back home! My bf and I ate in the car since we had our pupper with us so excuse me for not taking any photos. read more

Order i burned wings you could taste the car and they were dry. The beans were hard and unfercooked. Never again II tried twice this foos is not good.ered read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Over cooked wings and under cooked beans yuck - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

really good food and a nice place to just relax. outdoor seating is nice, they have live music sometimes too. their german potato salad was a nice acidic change of pace compared to regular potato salad. it's a 4/5 because they changed their menu style. gracie's in vallejo has a more traditional bbq menu with meats and sides. read more

Incredible BBQ. Had the baby backs and Pit burger. Friendly staff. Warm and cozy vibe. A must visit. I'll be back. read more

Slow Hand BBQ - Pit burger and baby back 1/2 & 1/2 Ribs. Cole Coleslaw Small. - Barbeque Near Me - Martinez, California

Superb option in downtown Martinez to visit; Excellent smoky flavor and tender meats Travelling back from Napa and we got the hungries. Searched for top-rated options and BBQ sounded awesome for lunch. Travelled through some industrial areas, landing us in downtown Martinez. Found a parking spot down the street, ordered, and walked to the back patio. Musicians were setting up and practicing, which was cool. There were also nice blankets to stay warm outside due to a chill in the air when the sun wasn't shining. For food, our group chose the Hot Links, Chopped Pork, Jerk Rub Wings, and Chicken. For sides, it was German Potato Salad and the Coleslaw. All the mains were finished off with compliments. Potato Salad is cut potatoes in a vinegar-like stew that half our group liked; it was good, though creamy version is more my speed. Coleslaw was good and was quickly disappeared. The meats are excellent-- strong smoky flavor, tender, no char. They take their time and get it right. My one suggestion would be to have a vinegar-style BBQ sauce available. The style they have is rich and resembled molasses. Very flavorful. Still, I think a mix of spice and tang would go superb with their BBQ. Got to chat with two regulars. That gave it an even more homey vibe. If I'm in the neighborhood again, I'll definitely stop by to have more of their beef and pork options. read more

Real deal BBQ with friendly staff and live music! We had the brisket by the pound and will be back.