Overdue review. Came here a couple weeks ago for my husband's birthday and it's genuinely some of the best bbq I've had in a long time. Fun atmosphere. It's counter service, so keep that in mind, but it's very fast and everything we tried was great. The brisket was a standout but the tri-tip was also fantastic. Beans were excellent and I definitely recommend. read more

Smokin Jays - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

BBQ Worth Fighting Over at Smokin Jay's BBQ & Coffee from Potheads Coffee My wife and I recently stopped by Smokin Jay's BBQ and paired it with a visit to Potheads Coffee, and it turned into one of those meals you end up talking about long after you leave. From the first bite, it was clear this spot takes their BBQ seriously. Entrées: We started by ordering a brisket plate, which came with about 1/4 lb of brisket, roughly six solid pieces, along with macaroni salad and baked beans. Our original plan was to share, but that quickly changed after the first few bites. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right with that perfect balance of smoke and juiciness. It didn't take long before we realized sharing wasn't going to cut it. So my wife went back up and ordered a brisket sando with fries, and it absolutely delivered. The sandwich came loaded with brisket, pickles, slaw, and sauce, all working together perfectly. The fries were a great side, crispy and a solid pairing with the sandwich. Sides: The macaroni salad and baked beans that came with the plate were both on point. The mac salad was creamy and complemented the richness of the brisket, while the baked beans added that sweet and savory depth you want with BBQ. Sandwich Details: The sando really stood out, especially with the addition of the slaw. My wife usually isn't a fan of coleslaw, but this one changed things a bit. It wasn't overpowering and added a nice crunch and balance to the sandwich, tying everything together without taking away from the brisket. Drinks and Service: Grabbing coffee from Potheads Coffee alongside the meal was the perfect move. What really stood out, though, was the service. Jay, the owner, was walking around checking in on customers and genuinely engaging with everyone. He even helped my wife decide on a coffee based on what she usually orders at Starbucks, which was a great personal touch. He later stopped by our table, chatted with us for a bit, and made the whole experience feel welcoming and personal. Ambience: The atmosphere strikes a great balance between laid back and lively. It has that casual, welcoming BBQ spot feel where you can relax, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. Pairing it with Potheads Coffee adds to the experience, making it feel like more than just a meal but a spot you can hang out and enjoy. Overall: Smokin Jay's BBQ is hands down the best BBQ spot I've had in Ventura County so far. Between the quality brisket, well put together sides, standout sandwiches, and the personal touch from the owner, it's an easy recommendation. Pair it with Potheads Coffee, and you've got yourself a top tier Ventura food stop that's definitely worth coming back to. read more

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First time visit. Oh boy. Epic grub. Went with the burnt ends and Nashville fries. Hot sauces which are actually hot. Some are hot AF. The crew was kind enough to let me demo the hot hots. Many thanks! And I'll be back. read more

It is a small location. Only have a few tables available. They have additional seat outdoor at the parking lot. Service is quick and friendly. Food are delicious. We got the tri tip, brisket plate, the brisket seriously melt in the mouth. Have to use spoon to scoop it up! The sauce is amazing. The bread, beans and macaroni salad. Perfect. Nashville chicken and fries super delicious. I'll be back soon. read more

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We tried the chicken, pulled pork, tri-tip, and brisket. It all had really good flavor and was lean, tender snd juicy.

Customer Service was super awesome; the lady at the front was very nice and friendly and a gave great recommendations If I could give more than five stars On Customer Service, I would! The food was really good. They had light music, but you could still carry on a conversation and it was very welcoming inside. read more

Smokin Jays - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

Always the spot for BBQ!!! Burgers are bomb too!!! Pot head coffee is an added plus for those caffeine addicts !!! Selection is big! read more

Smokin Jays - Vanilla cold foam cold brew - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

I've had Smoking Jay's a few times and never disappoints. They have great service and food is always on point. They also have coffees im yet to try but definitely look good. Overall atmosphere there is amazing, good vibes. read more

I got the brisket sandwich and my wife got the candied bacon breakfast sandwich. Both were incredible. Same for both the fries and hash browns. Service was also great. My wife likes her coffee sweeter and they let her try it before adding the cold foam to make sure it was right. Iot an Americano black which was also great. The decorations inside matched the vibes perfectly. read more

Smokin Jays - Fries & Coffee - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

The food is outstanding always on point nuggets or any type of chicken is always crispy and the meat is always white and juicy As for the burgers, the smash is always amazing and you can add an egg to any burger Stop by from 7 AM to 1 PM for special drinks read more

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Let me just start by saying this place is amazing. The owner Jay, super cool and friendly. He makes his shirts and sweaters in the house. His coffee is so delicious. There is a line out the door.. the ambiance is mellow but fun. I've been to Texas and have their brisket and it was delicious but when I try the brisket here at Jay's it was way better. Best brisket, wings, chicken nuggets, burger and Chile Verde I have ever had. I five this place 1000/10 read more

4.75 stars If you're looking for a salad, you've come to the wrong place. Smokin' Jay's is a haven for comfort food lovers. I had the Cow-Tipper burrito, a hearty combination of burnt ends, mac & cheese, and fries. Each element was flavorful. My wife opted for the pulled pork fries, a unique twist on a classic. The sweet BBQ sauce complemented the savory pulled pork, and the melted gouda cheese added a luxurious touch. Our daughter enjoyed the crispy, flavorful nuggets paired with an ultra-lemony pepper sauce. It was clear these weren't your average frozen nuggets. While the surf-punk decor is visually appealing, the open door let in some unwanted noise. We'll definitely try the back patio seating next time for a more peaceful dining experience. The menu is full of intriguing options, and we can't wait to return to explore more of Smokin' Jay's delicious offerings. read more

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I've been a fan of Smokin' Jays since the early days--back when they were doing pop-ups and backyard to-go orders during COVID. The quality of their food has always been top-notch: consistently delicious and always leaving me craving more. The hot chicken sandwich is my go-to, but it's never an easy choice with so many great options like the smash burger, chile relleno burger, and honestly, anything with that comeback sauce--it's all insanely good. I really appreciate how the menu keeps evolving. The rotating items keep things fresh and exciting, even if I end up sticking with my usual because I can't resist! Watching them grow through challenging times and still deliver on flavor, timing, and customer service has been nothing short of impressive. The new location on Wooley is so well-deserved. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more

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Great food and fun atmosphere! Spicy chicken sandwich was fantastic and the smash burger was perfect for the kids! Dole whip as a finisher! read more

Smokin Jays - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

Good service friendly lady she was happy. The happiest lady in Oxnard. Good Chile burger Good tender brisket Kool-aide was a little weak read more

I really hate to leave negative reviews because we truly do love coming here, but today's experience just wasn't great. We ordered two racks of ribs for a small football function -- we've had them before and they were always amazing, but unfortunately this time was different. The ribs had an odd smell, almost like overcooked bacon that had been sitting out for a while. At first, we thought it was just us, but when others in our group started making the same comments, it definitely became a concern. We tried to overlook it and eat them anyway, but they just didn't taste right or have that same great flavor we've come to expect. On a positive note, the brisket was still really good, and as always, the customer service was friendly and attentive. That said, it was disappointing given the price, and I think we'll skip the ribs next time. As I mentioned in a past review, it's been a bit hit or miss lately -- I really miss the consistency and flavor from the "backyard days" when everything was spot-on. read more

I'm walking through the parking lot, not even on the side walk yet and the guy yells at me from the inside of the store "how are you! welcome!" This is the kind of customer service that makes your day. I'm glad I found this place. The food always hits the spot. read more

Great tasting bbq. Got the tri tip, brisket, burndt ends, macaroni salad, link. Everything was delicious. Wait was a little long, but worth it. read more

Smokin Jays - Tritip - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

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Really pricey for a fairly small amount of food. I was surprised, and I am used to paying high prices for BBQ. I think if you order 1 meat or a sandwich maybe a better deal. I found the brisket to be quite dry and not super flavorful. I did like the chicken thigh, but that's a much easier thing to get right. I like the vibe and might go back if in the area to try something else. The service was fine. The sides were pretty good. Mac salad was very tasty. read more

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BBQ can be the best tasting meat, poultry and seafood there is. If it's done right, This place doesn't do seafood but the menu is big. It all starts with plate or sandwich both same price. Differences are no bread or fries for the plate, you get sides but the sandwich you get fries. I've had both sandwich and plate and have been there several times. Winner is BBQ Brisket sandwich with fries and extra sauce to dip sandwich and fries. Worth the $18 and the people working there are very nice, really good food, reasonable prices, good service and a smile every time so far. read more

Best BBQ around and extremely wonderful staff. I grew up traveling a lot and have to say, smokin jays is one of the best bbq joints I've been too. It's so good I pick this as my b-day dinner each year. read more

Smokin Jays - Loaded fries and brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

Had heard a lot of good things about Smokin Jays and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. This spot is about 4.5 stars overall as the service was wonderful and the food pretty dang good! I'm rounding up as I always do just note not everything was perfect but pretty darn close. Smokin Jays is located in Oxnard off Wooley and is kind of hidden on this busy street. The parking lot gets pretty busy and I couldn't see the signage clearly come up from the south but thankfully Yelp directions steered me into the parking lot before I could even see the business. This spot gets slammed and on a Friday for lunch it was pretty busy. The vibes in here are great! I love their style and the overall ambiance of the restaurant. They put a lot of thought into their menu with big signs it makes it easy to see the menu from far away. I also like their creativity and thoughtfulness. Since this spot has long lines and you order at the counter, I love that they came up with the idea to put their menu on the bar area so as you are walking up the line closer and closer to the register, you can easily read the menu and boy is it a huge menu. This was smart of them as it keeps the line moving faster to order since you can read the menu beside you as you walk. I also appreciate that you can see the cooks and line staff plating. Always makes me feel good when they trust having an open kitchen concept that customers can see. Staff and service here are 5 stars and a huge reason I'll be back again. Two gals were working the registers and they were super on top of it and had a great flow and system going. Like I said this spot gets busy but they keep the line moving and were quick on the registers. They had smiles on their faces though and made you feel welcomed. I like that they take your name down which makes it so much easier as offers get called. Despite a long line and a lot of orders I was in and out of there in under 15 minutes got takeout, pretty good. Prices are average. Bbq is expensive so I don't expect a deal and I will say I didn't think the prices were too bad. Maybe depends what you get. A large slush, chicken strips, and a bbq plate came to about $40. Portions were pretty big on the drink and chicken strips, meat plate could have used an extra cut or two of protein but still a good sized plate. The slushes are a must get here, especially in the summer. The ice cold fruity drinks definitely cut the heaviness of the bbq and is such a great idea. I saw almost everyone getting one. They are popular. I got the watermelon OG and that was a winner! Watermelon slush with pineapple dole whip added, omg, I was in heaven. 5/5 all day long. Chicken strips were also fabulous. I wasn't sure if I could handle their spicy rubs or anything along those lines so I went with a mild classic chicken strip with their house sauce. The chicken was white meat and super flavorful. Great crunch on the batter. If you are a chicken strip lover definitely get these. Another 5/5. The bbq plate is where I had some hits and misses. I opted for the brisket bbq plate which comes brisket, garlic butter toast, bbq beans, and Mac salad. The winners on this plate were the brisket and toast. OMG the brisket was melt in your mouth and perfectly fatty and juicy. Now this is the kind of bbq brisket I've been looking for in the 805! The butter toast was just a classic and super tasty. The additions that were meh to me were the Mac salad and bbq sauce. I didn't feel like beans so opted for double Mac salad and was bummed out as I didn't love it. It's not really Hawaiian Mac salad, more like a bbq Mac salad with olives and such. It was middle of the road. The bbq sauce unfortunately also wasn't my favorite, not thick enough for me and overly peppery. Thankfully like I said the brisket had such good flavor I didn't need it. This spot is pretty cool and definitely a crowd pleaser. It gets busy so plan to come early or at off hours, otherwise good luck finding a seat. Takeout will become your best friend here. The staff are great, super friendly and on top of it. Food was overall really good and one of the better bbq fun spots I've tried in the 805. read more

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BEST chicken sandwich in the 805!!! Waffles and brisket plate are fire too! Order ahead!

I got the brisket meal, and my friend got the lobster pasta. The bread is buttery with soft texture. They have canned sodas available. I wanted a diet coke, but I did not see it displayed on the counter, so I thought it was not available. Then when I walked out, I saw someone with a diet coke can lol. I should have asked but just to a heads up to anyone that does not see their drink displayed. Nonetheless, the food was great and there's a reason I saw a lot of people coming here for lunch. My brisket was ready in less than 5 minutes. There was about five people working the kitchen which is why the food was prepared well and fast. read more

Smokin Jays - Brisket Meal - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

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Smokin Jays is a good place to satisfy your BBQ and munchie needs. When I entered in, I was greeted by friendly employees. The entire vibe of the restaurant definitely reminds me of what a BBQ joint looks like. I love how many Nashville hot levels you can choose from. I went with someone who didn't really like spice so we got the bitchassness but I would definitely come back to try a hotter level. We got that spice with the chicken tenders. We also got some fries on the side with that. It came out to $15. We also ordered the brisket and trip tip plate and that was $30. The chicken tenders were perfectly crispy and were quite tender on the inside. It was a little bit too salty for my taste though. The fries were good with the dipping sauce. The brisket and tri tip plate was pretty good, but for the amount of money that you pay, it's really not that much food. The meat was also a little cold, but the flavor was there. It had a strong smoky taste and it was cooked well. I like how they put the BBQ sauce on the side and not on top so you can gauge how much you want to put on it. I really enjoyed the Mac salad, but chili beans and garlic toast were decent. Overall, it is still a great place to enjoy good BBQ and Nashville hot chicken. I would come back again to try their sandos and burgers. The slush puppies also sounds amazing! read more

Smokin Jays - Chicken tenders with fries - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

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Everything in this menu is amazing !! Spicy chicken sandwich is a must have !! The burger was juicy and flavorful and the fries were crispy and perfectly salted. Service was quick, and the place was spotless. Definitely coming back! read more

Overrated. Similar to every other fast food joint. Order at the counter and pick up your food at the counter. The young girl at the counter has a resting b!tch face. Not welcoming at all. It's a small place with a few tables inside and a couple outside. We had their tri tip, burnt ends, brisket, Mac n cheese, chili bean, garlic bread, and pull pork loaded fries. Nothing was outstanding. The pull pork loaded fries was salty and had chunks of fat. The only cut I enjoyed was the brisket. It had a good Smokey flavor. read more

Smokin Jays - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

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Food 5/10 So i got the sliced brisket bbq loaded fries, and when i ate the brisket, it was really dry, like REALLY dry. Some pieces were kind of soft, but the majority of the pieces were just hard and dry. The fries were pretty good but all the sauces on it werent really mixed well, so one side you would just taste a bunch of bbq sauce, and the other side a bunch of the other sauce.Fries:4/10. I also got a blue raspberry slushy which was really good. Slushy:9/10 Service 7/10 The lady who took our order was really nice and was really patient (took me a while to decide what i wanted to get). But, some of the tables were pretty dirty and some parts had bbq sauce on it. Overall, service woulda been a 10 if it wasnt for the dirty tables. Ambiance 7/10 The place was pretty cool, had a LA type of vibe to it, but not too many small tables. Overall 6/10 I probably wont be coming back, i can definitely see why people would like the spot, but the food didn't cut it for me, i prefer CJ's. read more

Brisket is so soft and tasty it melts in the mouth, chicken sando is huge, chicken tenders are huge, smash burgers are huge. All the bbq fries are perfect for sharing. Slushie drinks with Dole whip taste like being a kid at a birthday party in the summer. Bbq sauce is tangy, sweet, and plentiful. Recently tried the birria tacos and was blown away by the tenderness and the size- one is a whole meal! Get a two pack and share the love. Make sure to follow Instagram for daily menus and experience limited run items like asada burritos and lobster mac & cheese! Buy merch and support your local bbq joint! read more

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Found my bbq spot in Oxnard . Got all the things I wanted . Fatty brisket , juicy tri-tip, burnt brisket ends!!!! Come on son... we even got the tenders . OG flavor. Staff was super friendly and when DRE the next episode is playing when you walk in you know you're going to have an awesome lunch. Ambiance 10/10 coming back again. Pro tip not sure why they didn't answer the phone but we came on faith that it would be open . Check their ig page for updates read more

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Really great neighborhood spot. The brisket is as good as it gets. Flavorful and tender, doesn't need sauce. The ribs are tender but with enough bite to not be mushy. My kids love the sauced chicken nuggets and the fries are top notch. Service is always friendly and helpful. It's a place that takes pride in what they do. read more

Food is so delicious, meat are tender and very well cooked and seasoned. Service is great, including special orders. Food is timely. Personal is friendly and efficient. The place is clean and inviting. Highly recommend this establishment.m read more

Too bomb We arrived Friday night just after a large group for 10 people, plus another 5 individuals in front of us. I was afraid it would take long but these guys got our food out in under 15 min. Limited seating inside but luckily since things move fast, people don't tend to linger Chicken sandwich (chicken sando). ok, I would skip. I got the country style and my husband got the OG. We agreed it was dry and lacking flavor. The OG is just above mild in spiciness. But hey that's what we get for ordering a fried chicken sandwich at a bbq joint. Had lots of potential as I could tell the Ingredients were fresh and the sandwich was huge. I think roasting the puns with butter and adding more sauce , plus some cheese sauce, would really save it! I think this should be renamed a chicken sandwich - sando implies Japanese style Brisket tips fries - WOWWWWWWWWWWW a must have!!!!!!!! This was bomb. It's something you'd wanna fight over. The brisket was tender and delicious. The cheese sauce was a show stopper. A must try no doubt. The size was massive as well The prices are unbeatable. 3 large entrees with definite leftovers for under $60? Yes please. Be weary parking is tricky! Small shared lot, so don't go in a big car if you can help it. read more

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I love the location and the owner is amazing. The food is delicious yet twice I've come for a burger and fries. I have yet to experience the fries as each time they are cold cold and extremely hard when I get to either work or my work bedroom (live-in type of job) and my burger is always piping hot and the fries consistently cold and not great to enjoy in that manner. read more

Smokin Jays - Burger and fries - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

We absolutely love it here! Everything is always so good! The staff is always very friendly and great service. This is one of top places to eat and no matter what we order it's always so delicious! read more

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The cashier was very friendly. I ordered Nashville hot chicken. The sandwich itself was really salty. The choice of bread didn't jive with the fried chicken. The frying oil seemed to be reused. All fried are really dark with oxidized taste. The coleslaw and pickle are great and fresh. I would only give 1 star if it wasn't for the cashier, Cole slaw and pickle. I wished I took the picture. Not money worth it....I had better one than this place. read more

Sorry this is not worth $18.00. Three pieces of brisket really? Brisket was very missing flavor most likely reheated. Mac salad and beans were the real players in the brisket plate. Also BBQ pork fries the pork was very dry. I was really looking forward to this plate. Now fried chicken tenders were excellent and fries are good but BBQ is just too dry! read more

Smokin Jays - Sorry but this definitely is not worth $18.00 - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

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Small area to eat at when it's busy but I always get the Gouda smashburger! And there fries are good

The most delicious BBQ in the 805, owned by the best people! Smokin Jays catered my wedding for 130 guests and everything was absolutely perfect. Multiple guests came up to us throughout the night to tell us that it was the best meal they've ever had at a wedding. The catering package also included their Potheads Coffee truck, which was the best little sweet treat later in the night. Try the brisket burnt ends and the strawberry cold foam matcha. You won't be disappointed!! read more

Smokin Jays - Barbeque Near Me - Oxnard, California

Smokin' Jays BBQ is hands-down one of Oxnard's best spots for amazing comfort food! Everything tastes fresh, flavorful, and made with real care. The ribs are tender and fall right off the bone, the brisket has that perfect smoky flavor, and the sides -- especially the mac and cheese and baked beans -- are incredible. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the portions are generous for the price. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and it shows in every bite. Whether you're grabbing takeout or dining in, Smokin' Jays always hits the spot. Highly recommend! read more