Deliciousness BBQ beef brisket with fried cauliflower. Spicy & mild BBQ sauce with pickled onions with jalapeños balance the sweet/spicy/rich meaty flavors. Fast service and friendly folks. Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) wings with garlic soy was great, but I forgot to take a photo ‍ read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket & Fried Cauliflower - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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Yesterday, my wife made some black-eyed peas--but nothing to go with them. That was my cue to find some meat and cornbread. On the way home, I stumbled across Wholly Smokes. I'd never been there before, so this review is all about first impressions. As we approached, the sign caught my attention: "Under New Ownership." Outside, an employee sat scrolling on his phone. It was a quiet Sunday around 3 PM, and we were the only patrons in sight. Checking Yelp beforehand had been a bit of a letdown, as their menu featured items they no longer offer. No links were available either. We ordered half a pound of pulled pork, half a pound of brisket, and four pieces of cornbread--all priced reasonably. Their tap selection turned out to be decent. The Cali Squeeze Blood Orange was a standout, and they also seemed to carry Firestone Walker products, including 805. The staff were friendly and responsive, which was refreshing. While the brisket had cooled by the time we got home, it was still tender and flavorful--just like the pulled pork. The real surprise? The chimichurri that accompanied the brisket--an unexpected and delightful touch. Overall, I'd rate the experience as average. While it's clear they've got potential, a bit more effort could turn Wholly Smokes into a go-to spot. Leaning in on those small details would really elevate the experience. read more

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A watering hole with wings. This used to be my favorite BBQ spot in a 30 mile radius. Now after the owner change the interior is bland, the menu is stripped, the huge wood fired smoker outside has been replaced by a tiny Traeger, and the outdoor seating is gone. I swung by today, a Thursday, and they weren't serving brisket and stated that pork ribs were only available on weekends. That left pork belly or chicken wings. We politely said that we would pass and found a different place for dinner. If you want a beer and wings, you might like this place. read more

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I think this is under new ownership now. I tried this spot about a year ago and it was solid. Not the best bbq, but they had some good fusion dishes and their bbq was tasty. However, their new menu is very minimal. I decided to order a bunch of sides. I tried their Mac and cheese and it honestly seemed like they used powdered cheese in it, like you'd find in Kraft Mac and cheese. It wasn't good. Also tried their potato salad, it was not flavorful, bland and basic. They did have baked beans when I went in, and that dish was tasty. Maybe their bbq is better, but their sides were very poor. Wish it was good bc this is right next to my house. read more

I ordered the brisket sandwich and when it came out it had cheese sauce and a weird white sauce on it. I tried it and the brisket was just plain, no flavor no spice from the rub just a very weak beef flavor. The sauces were very odd tasting, I have never seen cheese sauce like nacho cheese on brisket no bbq sauce or anything just the cheese sauce and whatever the white sauce was. Most bbq brisket restaurants have a selection of bbq sauces well not this place. They serve fries with the sandwich which were cold and very over cooked. The sofa is an off brand, I asked for a coke and it was flat, served in a red solo cup. I asked how they cook and smoke their brisket and the woman pointed to a little bbq grill in the front of the store outside. I have been to many bbq restaurants and without a doubt this is got to the worst tasting bbq I have ever had. Sorry but the meat was not flavorful or even seasoned. read more

Wholly Smokes - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

Recently under new management, we wanted to try it out. We ordered their wings and longanisa burger and they were so delicious. For the wings, we tried a variety of flavors such as habanero, sweet and spicy, and lemon pepper. My favorite was definitely the habanero. It has the right amount of kick! If you're looking for that Filipino fusion/ bbq joint, this is the place to go! We also ordered a tray of wings for Superbowl, and they made sure our order was fresh! Can't wait to order again and see what this place develops into! Thanks, Wholly Smokes! read more

Wholly Smokes - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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There's not a lot of BBQ spots in the local area so I was excited to try Wholly Smokes and it did not disappoint! Like the other reviews said, service was great and the owner was very friendly. We ordered the two combo plate and chose brisket and pulled pork. Meat was smoky and very tender- wasn't super fatty which I liked but I think this is up to personal preference. Their house bbq sauce is nice and tangy which is how I like it. Cajun fries were bomb- definitely recommend getting this as your side. Price is fair for the amount of food you get. 4 stars- would come back if I was in the area read more

Wholly Smokes - Two meat combo (brisket and pulled pork) - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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Food was...fine. Menu was extremely lacking, both in depth and in detail. Sandwiches are not described as coming with fries, so we ordered sides, only to end up with too much food and spending too much money. Sandwich was described as having pork, coleslaw, cheese; it came out with a white sauce that I have no idea what it was. Would be hard to believe it was cheese sauce, looked like a thin mayo. We also went at about noon on a weekday and place was completely empty, no worker, we're lingering, trying to make noise, trying to catch cook's eye, until finally an employee comes out of restroom and says oh sorry. I will say that after we finally ordered her service was good at least. Overall, barely passable food, poor service and atmosphere, would struggle to see myself back. read more

This review is an ode to the former Chimak House in Norwalk, which received my highest marks for Korean wings ever. Unfortunately, the legendary Chimak House that I frequented several times over the years is gone...but its spirit lives on through a new residency at Wholly Smokes. Now, Wholly Smokes, primarily known for great American BBQ, has taken Brian and his masterful Chimak creation and formed a new frankenstein menu that includes not just your typical brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, etc... but also familiar Korean bar favorites like soy garlic wings, corn cheese, Buldak, and of course, you can't forget the Soju and Terra beer. You can tell that this intermixing of Korean bar food and American BBQ is ever-evolving at Wholly Smokes. Just recently, they came out with new menu items that includes Buldak noodles, except the twist is that they top it off with high quality brisket or bacon--something you just WON'T find at a traditional Korean establishment. I would like to throw in a selfish suggestion: try experimenting with a Korean sweet glazed pork belly burnt end... I know Moo's Craft BBQ in LA is up to something devilish with that idea. So, down to the details. Brian has changed his recipes just about every time I've visited, and while I was hesitant at first, I can't believe that the wings have genuinely gotten juicier, crispier, and more flavorful. I feel as though every visit I've made over the past few months is a new iteration, with just minor tweaks. It's never been for the worse, either. Truly, the soy garlic wings are the star of the show and why I continue to come back. But that's not it, either. You may have noticed that Wholly Smokes now closes pretty darn late. And you may be wondering how the BBQ is; after all, don't most BBQ spots close before 2PM? Well, I've tried the brisket and was thoroughly impressed. I ordered the last batch of the night and it was still extremely tender and flavorful--so don't let the late-hours fool you. The smoke masters know what they're doing. They're even experimenting with the binding, as well...the batch I recently had was smoked with a mayo binder, not your typical mustard. You don't taste the mayo itself but you can tell the brisket was different, in a good way. The house-made sauces are also incredible and pair great with just about everything, too. I love the fried cauliflower bites, as well; goes great with a spicy mayo dip. There's much more for me to try on the Wholly Smokes side, so those will be up next. While I do miss the more intimate booth seating at Chimak House, I recognize that I can only appreciate the past and embrace the new differences. The ambiance at night feels more like a dive-bar but inside it's much less rowdy than you'd think. I also have no clue how the restaurant feels during the day, since I'm here for the late-night delirious drinking. A huge thank you to Brian for hanging in there and continuing the business, despite all the hardships. I am a loyal customer for life and I can't wait to see how Wholly Smokes flourishes in this new light. My only concern, really, is how former Chimak House fans are going to find this new location...or how new fans will know this place also doubles as a late-night Korea spot after-hours. read more

Wholly Smokes - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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Hidden gem for BBQ, fried chicken and fries. Friendly service, clean venue and easy parking, too. 10/10 The exterior seemed dive-y, but once inside the experience was really nice. We were helped right away and the food arrived quick and piping hot. - My toddler and I loved the ribs, while my husband preferred the brisket. - The Sweet and Spicy fried chicken wings were a great texture with a bit of heat at the end -- and the fries are so good!! SO crispy. - The macaroni and cheese was a good choice for the toddler. We had a great time. Definitely will be returning to try the sausage options next! read more

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I'm amazed this place is still in business. Not for long, if I had to guess. The menu was barebones. The brisket was bland and dry, the bbq sauce was extremely sweet and way too peppery, the beans tasted like they were from a can. The brisket sandwich had a "cheese sauce" which tasted like butter. The server was eating bbq with her fingers, while doing her job which included taking food to people's tables & putting silverware in takeout bags. I wrote a much longer review to give even more details, but by now, I think you get the picture. I'd rather go buy beef jerky from the store. read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket Sandwich, Fries - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

I fancy BBQ restaurants and will never turn down an invite to try a new one. Sadly, Wholly Smokes was a heavy miss for me. Our group of 4 made up half of the dine in customers the evening we went. More arrived as we were leaving, but certainly not the crowd I expected for a Saturday evening. Worked out though, kept the restaurant mellow and no lag on food prep. Chicken wings: Burnt and kind of dry but edible, fries a tad too salty. My two meat combo plate: Let it be known the beans were the best part. The meat was too dry, required a heavy sum of their BBQ sauce to comfortably get it all down. Water was my other bff for this plate. For the price paid, I would have expected better quality. What will be positively recognized is the staff and their great customer service. Every employee working greeted us as we entered. The woman taking orders and handling the tables would check in consistently. The man who I assume is the owner came in as we were leaving and was also very welcoming to all. read more

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= L O C A T I O N = Wholly Smokes is a great local BBQ spot in such a lowkey spot. The strip mall it's located in is pretty dead, but that means plenty of parking :P = S E R V I C E = The gentleman taking care of the front of house was so friendly; when he found out we were visiting for the first time, he gave us a banana pudding on the house! = F O O D = + 1/2 Grail ($100) - Brisket, Tri Tip, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Sausage, Chicken Brisket was nice and juicy! It had good flavor and the sauces complemented it well. The other meats were good as well, but the brisket was by far my favorite. For the sides, the coleslaw was watery and a little lacking, but the cornbread was really good. This is a great option for folks looking for BBQ in the area. ======================================== Food: 4 // Service: 5 // Environment: 4 // Price: 4 read more

Wholly Smokes - 1/2 Grail ($100) - Brisket, Tri Tip, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Sausage, Chicken - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

Ok...if you're in the mood for BBQ. This place is legit. It feels like a family owned operation that is the real deal. Not some corporate bbq joint. The brisket was tender and smoked well. Not dried out like so many other places do. Pulled pork...also delicious. Their homemade bbq sauces are very good. The spicy one is my favorite although I usually try and limit sauce on any smoked meat. The service is quick and the staff is polite. The picnic table style seating is chill and the vibes are good. Will definitely be back when I'm in the area read more

Wholly Smokes - 2 Item Combo Plate* - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

I love a good BBQ. Saw this BBQ spot on Yelp with all the great reviews and had to give it a try. I got the half pound of brisket by itself. I'm no longer on the Keto diet but I appreciate I didn't have to buy something with lots of carbs. Now for what I walked into Wholly Smoked for, BBQ! The brisket was super juicy and moist! It made me smile ! Many places I've tried brisket is usually pretty dry. Yes, I do enjoy the smokiness and the outer bark but not at the expense of the meat being dry. Here the outer smokiness gives you that beautiful smoky flavor while keeping the meat moist. Tony, the owner was super friendly, helpful and really made me feel welcomed. It was as if we've been friends for a long time. Tony gave me a taste of the tri-tip which I was very thankful for. However, I didn't really like the tri-tip. Tony even mentioned that their version of the tri-tip has different flavor. I did enjoy my brisket with a nice cold carb less (haha) beer. BBQ and beer, what else could I ask for. I'll be coming back to get a full pound of brisket and try their ribs. If you like a nice juicy, smoky brisket you may enjoy Wholly Smoked. read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket 1/2#* - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

If you're ready to feast on BBQ, this is your next destination. It's locally owned and the owner Tony, who's a veteran, was very kind and accommodating to our large group. I got to sample so many different items because I came with so many people which was so much fun. Here's my summary of everything I ate: Sausages: there's 4 kinds but I tried the Cajun hot link and it's super flavorful. It definitely needs the soft bun to balance out the strong umami flavor. Brisket: nice balance of fatty and lean pieces Tri-tip: first time seeing it cut into cubes so it was fun to eat Chicken leg: pretty juicy for white meat Ribs: perfect with the spicy BBQ sauce Mac and cheese: always needed to complete a BBQ Onion strings: loved the flavor and crunch on this Coleslaw (kimchi and regular): can't go wrong with either Banana pudding: you NEED this to end your meal. It was so creamy and had the perfect amount of sweetness. I loved it! Overall, a great place to get together with family and enjoy a meal or hang out with friends to watch a game and drink. It's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant waiting to be discovered. read more

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This is a second review from my first one. We liked it so much the first time, we had to go back and within a week. This time, we went back on a Friday around 5:30 p.m. It wasn't too busy yet. This time, we wanted to try some different things along with some of the staples that we got the first time like the pulled pork...still really good so this definitely wasn't a fluke. Sometimes pulled pork can be dry but this time, I think it was even better than the first, which is hard to do. Some other things we tried: First the pièce de résistance which is the brisket burnt ends. They normally don't carry this and this was a special ask. This was melt in your mouth and it wasn't just fat....big chunks of brisket along with the charred flavor...OMG! Other things: Chicken tacos. They used white breast meat and I was expecting dry and flavorless and I prefer dark over white. But as soon as I bit into this, it was amazing. The chicken was so tender and juicy. Really nice surprise. The taco itself was good overall, maybe could use a little more aioli sauce. Chicken boneless fired chicken. It's like a nugget (bigger than popcorn chicken size) and we got it with soy garlic. Loved the sauce flavor, at little more watery but overall, it was really good. Cream corn. Pretty good. I like that the corn wasn't mushy but wished it had a little more cheese on it so that each scoop would be held together with cheese. read more

Great food, vibes, and hospitality from Bryan. Ordered brisket, soy garlic wings, corn cheese, and the Lao sausage pizza. Food was on point. Being of Lao descent, the pizza was definetly a unique and tasty fusion. The soy garlic wings were top tier. Batter is crispy and then you get hit with a perfectly cooked juicy wing in a sauce that is perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. I would definetly stop by if I was in the area again. Thanks Bryan for the great hospitality! read more

Wholly Smokes - Lao Sausage Pizza?! - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

American BBQ and Korean Fried Chicken in one spot?! The food is fire, don't sleep on it!!! On Thurs-Sundays, the Chimak House portion of Wholly Smokes is open. I love their Korean Fried Chicken Wings. Make sure to get the wings in half Soy and half spicy soy, you won't regret it. The wings are crispy, juicy, oof, I'll be back soon. Service is phenomenal - from the staff behind the kitchen, to the owner smoking the meats, to Brian and Yunjin serving the tables and chatting it up. It's just a place with good all around vibes. This place is not as busy as it should be, you have to bookmark this place. You won't regret it! Sojus, beers, TVs, good food and vibes, this place got it all!!! Food: 1000000/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 9/10 (it can be better) read more

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Really dry ribs and pulled pork, there was a lot of inedible chunks on the ribs where the meat outer layer has hardened from how dry it is. The pulled pork is also not moist and needs barbecue sauce. The barbecue sauce is also very ketchupy, sucks because the dryness and lack of seasoning on the meat Brisket was ok, at least it was more moist and it dry, but still lacked seasoning. Was very disappointed, will not come again and do not recommend to anybody. EDIT: 2 to 4 stars because I called to let them know and they gave me a refund. I respect that and maybe I'll come in again, perhaps it was a bad day. read more

Wholly Smokes - Pulled Pork 1/2#* also very dry. - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

We come from moval just to try Wholly Smokes and did not disappoint us bomb as bbq and thanks for the free coffee Brisket Plate Tri Tip Ribs read more

Wholly Smokes - We come from moval just to try Wholly bbq and it didn't not disappoint us bomb ass bbq - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

I found this place from a friend who mentioned it! I decided to come in saturday to try some stuff and man was it good! I got the burnt end sandwich which was good and flavorful with that classic slaw, no cheese, no pickles! The sandwich could of had a bit more pieces of meat but still ok! Next was the austin ranch beans which were ok but mac and cheese was the star of the meal and possibly the best mac i had from any BBQ place in california! I would just go back for the mac and cheese because it was that good! Also got the onion strings with a ranch BBQ sauce i believe comes with it which was also good! The place is pretty huge with a big bar with all kinds of beers on tap with a big screen TV to view. Oh, they have FREE street fighter vs Capcom video game arcade! Sweet, it definitely brought back memories. The people were cool and friendly and explained the menu in great detail. Overall a solid experience! I would for sure come back for more items! They have been open for about 8 months so go give these guys a try! If i had to grade *Mac and Cheese 10/10 the best i had from any BBQ place *Burnt end sandwich 8/10 *Onion strings 8/10 *Austin Beans 7/10 read more

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The restaurant is situated in a strip mall. It is tucked towards the back so we missed it at first but it is in the same lot as the yum yum donuts. We went on a Saturday around 6 pm and there was one table occupied and a few people at the bar. The restaurant feels like a no-nonsense BBQ joint where you order at the counter and grab a table. We were greeted right away by Kevin and he asked some questions so he could make recommendations for us. Although we didn't order any tonight, they had a good selection of beers on tap. For the food we ordered the 3 meat combo with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. We also had the loaded fries with brisket added, the street corn, cornbread, and kimchi slaw. When Kevin brought our food he explained that the meats are prepared with a dry rub and brought three bottles of homemade sauce (regular, spicy, and an extra spicy). The pulled pork was excellent with great flavor and texture. The ribs and brisket were great also. My husband rotated between using the regular and the spicy sauces. While I enjoyed the loaded fries, in the future I will order the meat separate just to be able to enjoy the full flavor. The kimchi slaw has a ton of flavor and just the right amount of spice. My favorite side by far was the street corn. Sweet corn with citrus, cream, and cotija. This could be a new obsession. Kevin sent us home with some banana pudding and even though we were so full we took some bites at the restaurant. So so good! We will be back and will be recommending Wholly Smokes to our family and friends. read more

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The food is excellent, the service is great. A little gemstone in the la Palma area. Will definitely be going back there. Tried the loaded fries and wings and they were very good. read more

I've been on the fence about writing a review for this place because I have mixed experience. I really liked the chicken and its smoked sausages, but the more traditional BBQ items were just ok. The brisket was dry and lacked smoky BBQ flavor. If it wasn't for the house BBQ sauce, it would've been difficult to eat. The portion was pretty small too. I also tried the pulled pork and burnt end sandwiches. The sandwiches were good, but not because of the meat. It was the sauce and bun that made them taste good. Meat wasn't bad, just not the highlight. What made me return is the chicken and smoked sausages. The menu has changed a bit since my previous two visits, but these items are still good. The chicken tastes better now but noticed the portion has gotten smaller. Before it was Jidori Chicken, but now it doesn't indicate that so think it's just regular chicken. The skin had some spicy rub on it, which gave it a decent amount of heat and flavor. I definitely noticed the smoky flavor this time. I had IPA sausage while back, which was excellent, but I no longer see it on the menu. This time I ordered the Spicy Cajun Hotlink instead, which was also excellent. It actually tasted like it was cooked in beer, although it was more of a faint aftertaste. The sauces here are excellent. I really like its variety of BBQ sauces which seem to vary in heat. The spiciest one has quite a kick, although that might be due to my heat tolerance dropping over the years. Service has been friendly and accommodating. Definitely has that southern hospitality type of service. Despite the mixed experience, I think this place has enough positives to make it four stars. Since the menu has changed since my previous visits, I may come back and give some of the other items another try. read more

Overall impression really kind and attentive front girl, and really great food. Dining Area Interior of the restaurant has a little bit of a unsanitary vibe, But not out of place for a barbecue restaurant. Food Burn ends sandwich- $11, $4 Addition for onion strings.Full of sauce, and the onion strings that came with it we're generously portion and well fried. Not greasy at all crispy and sweet Onion strings 5/5 Sandwich unknown - husband ate it without complaint Brisket half pound $18. 5/5 Although when it first came out it seemed like a small portion, it was ridiculously good. And more than enough. Although $18 may seem like a steep price, was well worth it and I liked the course salt sprinkled over it. If I may suggest something for improvement I would serve the brisket warm. It was room temperature Ribs half rack $25. 4.5/5 The ribs on the other hand were actually huge portions! They order might have been taken erroneously for a full rack that's how big the portion was. I enjoyed most of the ribs, and it was fall off the bone delicious, but I would recommend the ribs also warmed to order if the patron is eating in Cornbread $5 5/5- This corn bread was delicious and complementary upon yelp check in. We were given one each for each of us which was worth $15. I thought it was very generous of the restaurant and the taste of generosity was sweet and soft. The butter that came with it was amazing. The cornbread unlike the meet was actually warm and delicious and fluffy. Service 7/5. The girl in the front made us feel at home was patient kind and attentive. I felt like the meal was colored with her generous and kind attitude and made it even more delicious. This kind of spice is a rare find. read more

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We were so hungry and were going to eat at Paul's Place when the husband saw Wholly Smokes BBQ on Yelp. We didn't realize it was right outside our neighborhood. Super close! Immediately when we walked to the entrance we were greeted by the owners. The cashier was really nice and explained everything. They were sold out of potato salad so that was a bummer. We decided on the combo- tri tip, brisket, and chicken. The sides were half regular coleslaw, half kimchi coleslaw, Mac n cheese, sweet baked beans, and potato roll. Everything was delicious, flavorful, and moist. Customer service was excellent as well. They were constantly asking if we needed anything or refilling our water. The only complaint may be the portion size. I guess we're big eaters, but we're used to bigger portions for the price paid. read more

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This was some of the best BBQ I have had in a long time. The brisket was so tender. Their house made bbq sauces were so delicious. I am a whimp, so I tried the mild, but it was the perfect combo of sweet and heat that didn't overwhelm my taste buds. The Cole slaw was on point, but the corn could have used more dressing. Normally, I would take off a star for a dislike of any kind. However, the service well made up for it. The front man was so kind and didn't mind my little monsters being their loud little self. Even gave them each a free ice cream He comped our drinks because we were first-timers. Our food was out quickly and efficiently. Their beer on tap choices are vast, making them a very good family dinner night choice. The smoker they have outside is massive. It is astounding that they are not a busier location. read more

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Fantastic smoked meats, super juicy and tender brisket and great service; Everything that is needed for a great meal. The location is a little tucked away so it's easy to miss (behind the 7-11) but there's lots of parking available. They have the smokers outside in the parking lot, so you know this place is legit! They have a variety of beers too! The inside is big and quite spacious. Plenty of tables for large parties. They have a standard list of smoked meats on the menu ie: sausage, brisket, tri tip, pulled pork etc. Whats also great is they sell meats by the pound too! I ordered the 2 meat plate, with brisket and pork ribs, the plate was huge. Enough for two meals. It came with a side of warm flour tortillas and some coleslaw. I loved all of it! I feel like I've been missing out, the food was fantastic and the service was friendly in this hidden gem! Everyone should check this place out! read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket Sandwich* - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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Came in over the weekend, really enjoyed the atmosphere. Sat down and were immediately helped by Bryan. He went over the menu with us was super attentive and when we had additional questions about the menu he went over it, even went to the back to show us what kind of ingredients were used. Decided to get a little bit of everything. Corn cheese, which was really good. Highly recommend. Soy Garlic wings which were AMAZING! They were so crispy and didn't feel heavy and overwhelming like other places I could easily go there just for those wings alone. We also got brisket 1/2 lb. brisket which was very good, and we got two different bbq sauces along with it. Lastly the Lao sausage pizza, DELICIOUS. Highly recommend, super flavorful! Bryan definitely made us feel welcomed, great hospitality. Will be returning! read more

I'm nearly crying writing this review since y'all restored my faith in quality bbq not in Texas!!! BY FAR SOME OF THEEEEE BEST BBQ IVE HAD! Tried the burnt ends. Tried the cornbread (soooo good) Tried the pulled pork. Yelp had a check in for a free piece of cornbread when I went in July 2021. Food wasn't overpriced. Portions were generous as was the flavor! You've earned my loyalty I'll be back for sure! read more

Wholly Smokes - Burnt ends Pulled pork Cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

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Wholly Smokes, Welcome to the neighborhood! We tried the Brisket, Ribs, Rubbed Shoulder. Brisket was so good, melt in your mouths. Ribs were a bit dry but the seasoning is good. My friend enjoyed his rubbed shoulder and it is very tender. Love the bbq sauces, especially the spicy one. The sides here, oh my god, so delicious. We got Mac n Cheese (yum), French fries, Onion Strings (get this!), and Beans. Cole slaw was delicious and good amount of dressing to vegetables. Corn bread was the best I ever tasted. I was never a fan of corn bread. This corn bread was not dense like the usual one and their cinnamon butter was a nice touch. For dessert, we got Rum raisin bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. Another win, vanilla ice cream was creamy and pairs so well with the bread pudding. I will definitely come back here to try other items!! Service is awesome come support this mom & pop restaurant. read more

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Second time here and brought a friend along. We ordered our food to go. Service (4/5): The person that took our order, who I am assuming is the owner) was nice and friendly as you would at least expect from a food establishment. Brisket (3/5): was on the dry side this time around. Last time it was much more moist, which is the reason I came back. The sauce was good and the one thing that saved the brisket for me. Would have been a 2 without it. Mac n cheese (2/5): the cheese sauce was a grainy. Kimchi slaw (3/5): I thought it was okay but my friend who got the regular slaw thought it tasted bland and perhaps old. Toast (3/5): a slice of bread that's nice, fluffy, and buttered up. Nothing negative about it, but also, nothing outstanding. Boston beans (4/5): had these the first time around. Only thing I can recall is wanting more of it. Overall when compared to the first time, wasn't as good. Would I come back, yes if I am craving bbq for lunch. read more

Wholly Smokes - 2 item combo plate: 2x brisket, Mac n Cheese, kimchi slaw, and toast - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

One star for the IPA my husband enjoyed. We came in this afternoon around 12:30 pm and the place was empty. After reading all the great reviews and the fact that I love bbq, I felt the need to show up and give this place a try. It's located in the back end of a shopping center. The fact that there is a smoker outside, got me sooo excited. Upon entering, I was greeted by Kevin and Tony. Great guys. I ordered the Brisket and half chicken combo with kimchi and my chosen side was the onion strings. My husband ordered the brisket and ribs with Boston beans. I'm concerned with the portions I received versus the portions most Yelpers posted. Our plates were about $25 a plate, which truly were over priced for the portions we got. The price is as comparable to Lucille's- where the bbq is descent. Tony mentioned to us they don't use the smoker - it's a decorative item now... All meat is made behind the kitchen. Why??? If it wasn't for Kevin and Tony's hospitality, I would leave 0 stars. Please use your smoker!! The brisket was soooo tough I couldn't chew it. The "half chicken" as described on the menu was 2 boiled chicken thighs. My husband's ribs were dry. I did mention to Tony I wasn't too happy with my meal and he offered the Tri Tip but quickly said never mind, come try us again next week.. I asked for the bread pudding (which is on the menu) they didn't have any. They suggested the peach cobbler.. tasted like canned peaches topped with soggy oatmeal. It should have been baked at least with a crunchy texture. Sadly I won't be returning to "eat bbq". Being served in a red cup with dull plastic forks and knives, and not using the smoker, and to spend close to $100 with a tip, makes me want to go elsewhere. read more

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Food was so good! Best cheese sticks I've EVER had! Cold beer, AMAZING chicken wings and coleslaw and great service! We came in pretty late and didn't realize they closed at 7:30 on Thursdays but we didn't feel rushed at all. There was reggae music playing and barstools if you wanted to come in just for a few beers and a snack. Can't wait to come back and try more of their menu! Such a hidden gem but going to tell everyone about them! read more

Wholly Smokes - 5pcs - Fried Wings w/Fries - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

My coworker and I come to La Palma every week for work, and we always saw this spot! We were glad to see other great reviews, and decided it was time to give it a try. We ordered a brisket sandwich, 2 fried pork belly tacos, mango-habanero wings, and a side of mac and cheese. I am so glad that we decided to go as their food was delicious! I ordered the tacos and found that it was not too dry which I loved. Their mac and cheese was good, but I found that the star of the show was the wings. They were crispy but still juicy with a good coating of sauce. They didn't have other customers at the time of our visit, but we also did go at noon on a Wednesday. The server was nice and attentive, but not too attentive which I appreciate! I wish they had a location that was closer to central orange county! read more

This is a great mom & pop BBQ restaurant that's located in a small strip mall. Their storefront is not visible from the main street - it's right behind a 7-11. The interior is casual as is the ordering process (order at the counter and they call out your number when it's ready). There are wooden tables to sit at as well as a counter; the place actually has more of a blue-collar bar feel. Over a dozen craft beers are on tap. I arrived at lunchtime and ordered the brisket plate which came with two sides (I chose mac & cheese and Austin Ranch baked beans). Also included is a choice of coleslaw or kimchi of which I chose the former. I also asked for some cornbread and peach cobbler for dessert. My food was ready in a couple minutes. The slices of the tender brisket were superb with a strong smokey flavor and great brine on the edges. Serving was rather small though. It didn't need any sauce but they make their sauces in-house so I had to give it a try. They have a regular or spicy version and I tried "regular" which was quite good. It is a tangy sauce rather than sweet. The mac & cheese was really cheesy but the beans were terrible; the sauce was too thin and lacking in flavor. They definitely needed a little more zing. The cornbread was great but not the sweet type. I appreciated that it didn't crumble all over the place. The peach cobbler was pretty good. They mixed in some blackberries and topped it with some vanilla ice cream which I liked. Wish it had been served warm rather than room temp and also wish it wasn't overpriced. Although I found a staff member's interaction with customers to be loud & obnoxious, this is a good option for some decent BBQ in a fast-casual atmosphere. read more

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I wanted to anxiously try the Tri Tip Barbecue plate. My first time coming to this place after always driving by here. The barbecue is fresh , and the meat is tender with lots of barbecue sauce and seasoning. Nice workers and servers. Food portions are big, and they are less expensive here. Also their are spicy choices of food too. read more

My husband and I wanted to eat some barbecue and decided to check this place out. I believe it's fairly new. Opened a couple months ago. We both got their Brisket plate with the two sides. I got the Street Corn w/ Cotija Cheese and their Mac n Cheese. The food was pretty good, but the Brisket was a little on the dry side. I'm hoping they can fix that up because brisket could get pricey and I wouldn't want to pay for dry brisket. Inside the restaurant was pretty nice. They have plenty of picnic tables inside and outside. They also have some FREE arcade games inside while you wait so we thought that was pretty cool. The staff was very friendly as well. Parking could be a problem on the weekends though. We first went here on a Friday night and we were lucky to find a parking spot. But when we went here on a Monday night, there was plenty of parking. So just be mindful of that if you come visit. read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket plate with Mac n cheese and Street Corn with cotija cheese - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California

The guys here at Wholly Smokes are super chill. Very welcoming and easy to talk to. They offered me their own Viet coffee while I was waiting for my food. Of course I got the brisket and tri tip. I always come back for this. Cheers guys. + Their spicy bbq sauce is super good. read more

Wholly Smokes - Brisket - tri tip - kimchi coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - La Palma, California