Horn Barbecue

Cuisine American
Price $$$ (31-50)
Rating 8/10
Last Visit Oct. 4, 2023
Location SFBA: Berkeley + Oakland
General Notes

The best BBQ restaurant that I've been to, to date. It's on the expensive side, but it's so incredibly delicious. The menu is pretty concise and they execute everything beautifully. My favorites were the brisket, spare ribs, and smoked chicken. The bread pudding is also a must-try! I've came here a couple times with a larger group. Each time, we'd order pretty much every one of their meat items, a few sides, and a bread pudding or two. It was definitely a lot of food and I was expecting to feel stuffed, but I felt surprisingly good afterwards -- it wasn't too heavy. Oh, and their signature BBQ sauce is heavenly, really elevates the meat.

Positives

> As you order, you'll see a server slicing the meat right in front of you. Watch that -- you'll see all the beautiful juices literally oozing out of the meat.
> There's a pretty nice outdoor seating area. I love how each table is equipped with a roll of paper towels. Eating barbecue is definitely a bit of a messy experience!
> Their signature BBQ sauce is heavenly. Perfect consistency (a little on the thicker side), wonderful balance of tangy, sweet, salty and slightly spicy.
> Unlike many other BBQ restaurants I've been to, I didn't actually feel heavy and weighed down after eating here. The pickled vegetables on the plate of meat were definitely a nice touch.

Dishes Tasted
  • ★★☆☆ Pit Beans -- Nicely flavored, well-cooked
  • ★★★☆ Jalapeno and Cheddar Link -- Flavors are pretty good, the juices really ooze out on this one
  • ★★★☆ Pulled Pork -- Really good, but can vary -- the first time was incredible, the second time was a touch dry.
  • ★★★☆ Spare Ribs -- Delightful flavor, well-cooked. Good fat content.
  • ★★★★ Bread Pudding -- Their bread pudding is obscenely good. Soft and moist on the inside, lightly crispy on the outside. Custardy, just the perfect level of sweetness, and the (cranberry?) sauce on the outside really brings everything together perfectly.
  • ★★★☆ Slaw -- Simple, refreshing, delicious.
  • ★★★☆ Granny's Potatoes -- This is kind of like a potato casserole, it was pretty solid!
  • ★★★☆ Pork Hot Link
  • ★★★★ Half Smoked Chicken -- This is surprisingly delicious. I love the spice rub. The skin is super crispy, and the meat (especially the dark meat) is so juicy and tender.
  • ★★★★ Brisket -- The brisket is absolutely heavenly. It is GLISTENING and oozes juices when you slice into it. Definitely my favorite item out of them all.
Bread Pudding
everything!