AJ's Tex-Mex & BBQ

This place is awesome! Very good all around local BBQ place. Service was great, I had the tri tip plate that was perfect and the BBQ sauce is amazing, plus the place is really cute.

Great food for a good price. I got the one meat and three side combo. Everything tastes very fresh and has lots of flavor. Great quality. The staff was very friendly. There is no indoor seating, only outdoor sidewalk seating. We are very pleased with the food!

Wow... just wow!!! The meats were all cooked to perfection (moist, nice smoke ring, tender) and the sides, were just as great (mac n cheese was my fav). Don't hesitate! Definitely worth the stop.

More than I expected! Very good portions and food quality! Might be a little pricey but I think it worth it. Love the pulled pork, the brisket and the Mac& cheese!

So glad I took a chance to stop by after looking at the pictures on Google maps while trying to find a place to eat. I wasn’t able to finish my food but I really wanted to have a taste of their flavors and it didn’t disappoint!

Great quality meat, great taste, and great service. Do yourself a favor and come down to Anthony and John’s, you will not regret it! Traditional Texan BBQ at your fingertips, or should I say tastebuds !

Stopped by today for lunch. I tried the brisket and pulled pork. Both were very tender and delicious. My cousin had the burrito which he really enjoyed. Can't wait to come by and try a few other things on the menu. Thanks AJ's for filling our belly's

Go there for lunch sometimes. Friendly people, good food.

11/02/2025 This is one of those places that I've been wanting to go to and today I finally went. The pare (homie) "Ram" made sure that my experience would be great. I ordered the "Large 6B" with Bbq chicken, brisket, and pork ribs with corn, beans, potatoe salad, and fries. The meats were very tender specially the brisket and the sides were very good as well. The portion was huge that I couldn't finish the food even when I had munchies.

Barbecue is really good. Love smoked barbecue. Will definitely be coming back. It’s not a place to really sit down and eat. More of a take and go kind of situation. Although they do have seating outside, but it’s too cold right now to do that. Smelled amazing when I walked in. They were very friendly as well. They do not have a spicy barbecue sauce, which is a disappointment for me because I love spicy barbecue. The barbecue sauce they do have has a very unique flavor. I’m not quite sure what it is. Taste good at first, but after a while, it becomes overwhelming.

Surprising flavor on ribs, briskets and pulled pork! It's not the typical ribs with super sweet barbecue sauce that it ends up making you cloving. Barbacue sauce is less sweet and a little bit acid but it's really good. 😋👌🏻

Had this saved a while, finally stopped by and left full af. It's a small spot with parking in the back. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Cool wooden tables. Got the BBQ Plate Brisket 1/3lb with Street Corn, Pulled Pork Nachos and a cold Dr Pepper. The nachos were thick & crunchy, loaded with lots of cheese, toppings, and big chunks of pork. Brisket was tender, flavored, and fell apart (I got the fatty meat). Corn was so tasty, mix it all up and enjoyed. I couldn't finish it all, but boy did I try! Will definitely swing by again sometime to try some other stuff.

AJ's Tex-Mex Barbecue surpassed my expectations even though it's a hole-in-the-wall spot. On my first visit, I ordered the Brisket Sando with a side of Mac n Cheese. that brisket sando was juicy and packed with flavor, making each bite a better reason to come back. The Mac n Cheese was good, but it could've been warmer. Regardless it was tasty and paired well with the brisket. couldn't resist trying that street corn , It was bursting with flavor and added a nice touch to the meal . My only regret is not having enough room to try more plates . Next time, I've got my eye on the baked potato with added Brisket AJ's Tex-Mex Barbecue boasts a cozy ambiance that instantly makes you feel at ease. Don't judge a book by its cover… the food here speaks volumes with its quality and flavor. I'm already counting down the days until my next visit!

The food was great! The service was great! Just be prepared to dine outside which in LA is usually quite lovely. The bbq was fantastic and my only regret was that I ate too much so I had very little room left for dessert. I ordered the banana pudding and it blew me away!! I want to try the nachos next time.

First, the service is amazing! He was so patient with all our questions as we navigated our way thru the menu. Second, the food is exceptional. My brisket sando, every bite a joy, loved the pickled onions. My husband couldn't speak high enough about his brisket burrito and baked chili beans. Only be aware that the Tex Mex part does mean it is a tad 🔥

I love places like these, unassuming on the outside with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Pam and Ram we're super friendly and fun to talk to you, but let's get to the meat of the story.. I had the breakfast taco that should be known as the taco that just keeps getting better and better. First the tortilla. Insanely good, made in-house and one of the best flour tortillas I've ever had. Then the scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly, not overdone whatsoever with the perfect amount of fluff one needs in scrambled eggs. The brisket was tender and juicy and smoky and flavorful and all the things that you want in brisket. Cotija and pico to round it out. Super generous portion and incredibly satisfying. Can't wait to come back and try everything else. Thank you guys!

Johnnef C Mendoza

11/02/2025 This is one of those places that I've been wanting to go to and today I finally went. The pare (homie) "Ram" made sure that my experience would be great. I ordered the "Large 6B" with Bbq chicken, brisket, and pork ribs with corn, beans, potatoe salad, and fries. The meats were very tender specially the brisket and the sides were very good as well. The portion was huge that I couldn't finish the food even when I had munchies.

Nathan

Barbecue is really good. Love smoked barbecue. Will definitely be coming back. It’s not a place to really sit down and eat. More of a take and go kind of situation. Although they do have seating outside, but it’s too cold right now to do that. Smelled amazing when I walked in. They were very friendly as well. They do not have a spicy barbecue sauce, which is a disappointment for me because I love spicy barbecue. The barbecue sauce they do have has a very unique flavor. I’m not quite sure what it is. Taste good at first, but after a while, it becomes overwhelming.

onthenext23rd

AJ's Tex-Mex Barbecue surpassed my expectations even though it's a hole-in-the-wall spot. On my first visit, I ordered the Brisket Sando with a side of Mac n Cheese. that brisket sando was juicy and packed with flavor, making each bite a better reason to come back. The Mac n Cheese was good, but it could've been warmer. Regardless it was tasty and paired well with the brisket. couldn't resist trying that street corn , It was bursting with flavor and added a nice touch to the meal . My only regret is not having enough room to try more plates . Next time, I've got my eye on the baked potato with added Brisket AJ's Tex-Mex Barbecue boasts a cozy ambiance that instantly makes you feel at ease. Don't judge a book by its cover… the food here speaks volumes with its quality and flavor. I'm already counting down the days until my next visit!

Luis Martinez

Surprising flavor on ribs, briskets and pulled pork! It's not the typical ribs with super sweet barbecue sauce that it ends up making you cloving. Barbacue sauce is less sweet and a little bit acid but it's really good. 😋👌🏻

Anna “Krimzin Art”

Had this saved a while, finally stopped by and left full af. It's a small spot with parking in the back. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Cool wooden tables. Got the BBQ Plate Brisket 1/3lb with Street Corn, Pulled Pork Nachos and a cold Dr Pepper. The nachos were thick & crunchy, loaded with lots of cheese, toppings, and big chunks of pork. Brisket was tender, flavored, and fell apart (I got the fatty meat). Corn was so tasty, mix it all up and enjoyed. I couldn't finish it all, but boy did I try! Will definitely swing by again sometime to try some other stuff.

Ayumi Iizuka

The food was great! The service was great! Just be prepared to dine outside which in LA is usually quite lovely. The bbq was fantastic and my only regret was that I ate too much so I had very little room left for dessert. I ordered the banana pudding and it blew me away!! I want to try the nachos next time.

Marilyn Lindsay

First, the service is amazing! He was so patient with all our questions as we navigated our way thru the menu. Second, the food is exceptional. My brisket sando, every bite a joy, loved the pickled onions. My husband couldn't speak high enough about his brisket burrito and baked chili beans. Only be aware that the Tex Mex part does mean it is a tad 🔥

Chris Ansari

I love places like these, unassuming on the outside with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Pam and Ram we're super friendly and fun to talk to you, but let's get to the meat of the story.. I had the breakfast taco that should be known as the taco that just keeps getting better and better. First the tortilla. Insanely good, made in-house and one of the best flour tortillas I've ever had. Then the scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly, not overdone whatsoever with the perfect amount of fluff one needs in scrambled eggs. The brisket was tender and juicy and smoky and flavorful and all the things that you want in brisket. Cotija and pico to round it out. Super generous portion and incredibly satisfying. Can't wait to come back and try everything else. Thank you guys!

The Love Gurus

delicious! This place surprised us. we got the brisket and pulled pork, both very flavorful and meat so tender it fell apart (brisket). as for sides, loved the streetcorn, didn’t care much for the mac and cheese.

They have the Best beef brisket in town! It’s tasty and cooked until it is just falling apart on your fork tender. The smoked wings are tasty as well prepared. The barbecue sauce is perfect- just the right amount of sweetness. The ribs are tasty and tender as is the pulled pork. The Mexican street corn is my favorite side, but my family also loves the tater tots. The potato salad is great, too. There are a couple of tables outside, but we usually order takeout as shareable ala carte items. You can also get sandwiches and individual platters if you prefer. Call ahead and they will have it ready to go when you arrive.

That is the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. The bbq sauce has a little kick to it that is absolutely stellar, I recommend dipping the fries in it too. The mac and cheese is so creamy and the seasoning is amazing. As my wife put it "Damn." Really friendly people this is a great place to eat.

The food is great. Specially if you have little dinosaur's. My boy he thinks he is a raptor. So, he really enjoy the tri-tip

Super authentic. Delicious bbq and super friendly staff. I got ram today who was a 10 out of 10 with his recommendations and his knowledge on bbq. If you’re craving some authentic Texan bbq. This is the spot

Bo-W Carter

That is the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. The bbq sauce has a little kick to it that is absolutely stellar, I recommend dipping the fries in it too. The mac and cheese is so creamy and the seasoning is amazing. As my wife put it "Damn." Really friendly people this is a great place to eat.

Mauricio jimenez

Super authentic. Delicious bbq and super friendly staff. I got ram today who was a 10 out of 10 with his recommendations and his knowledge on bbq. If you’re craving some authentic Texan bbq. This is the spot

Don Taylor

Been driving by for years and finally stopped. Got the 3 meat 3 side combo and was not disappointed. Fed my self, my wife and son and had more than enough. I got the brisket(outstanding), pulled pork and tri tip. Our sides were street corn, mac and cheese and collard greens( I'm a sucker for collard greens and these were gooooood). Overall I was more than pleasantly surprised. I will definitely make another stop to try other parts of their menu. You got to try them out. You will not be disappointed.

Christine Higgins

They have the Best beef brisket in town! It’s tasty and cooked until it is just falling apart on your fork tender. The smoked wings are tasty as well prepared. The barbecue sauce is perfect- just the right amount of sweetness. The ribs are tasty and tender as is the pulled pork. The Mexican street corn is my favorite side, but my family also loves the tater tots. The potato salad is great, too. There are a couple of tables outside, but we usually order takeout as shareable ala carte items. You can also get sandwiches and individual platters if you prefer. Call ahead and they will have it ready to go when you arrive.

Food is good. Wish there were more shade outside at the sun 🌞 bakes you outside on the sidewalk.

My cousin and i did a road trip to Ontario from Santa Maria and i found this spot on the way. Over all i enjoyed the food and service was very welcoming and helpful. 1.Rice had a Cajan taste with a hint of tang 2.The brisket i had was legit falling apart and was juicy 3.i usually dont have the bbq sauce since its mostly sweet elsewhere but here it had a tangy flavor that i preferred 4. The ribs were supper well seasoned 5 the macNcheese and cornbread was okay but lets be honest we dont go here for the sides I would go back definitely but inly get the proteins.

This place is good, we ate there 2 days in a row working in the area. Had pulled pork sandwich the first day, it was just a little dry so I had the brisket the next day, that was really good. I'd try the street corn next time as a side at that looked really good. The beans and Mac and cheese didn't wow me but was good . I'd give it 5 stars if it had some indoor seating, the sun was brutal sitting outside. Needs just a little more shade.

I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with this burger BUT I DID!!! The blend on the patty is perfect, so much delicious flavor that I was literally picking up every last crumb — that’s how good it was. It was also super juicy so it essentially marinated the rest of the burger. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is that the pickles and pickled onions were not pungent enough to cut through the fat from the patty. And don’t skip on the Thick Fries, they are perfectly seasoned with a pillowy interior and crisp exterior!

Had the rib tips plate with a side of collard greens. The ribs were so tender and delicious and the greens were on point. The BBQ sauce is tasty, however they don't give you enough. But I will eat here again!!!

AJ's Tex-Mex Barbeque. The name is a bit long, but so is the flavor of the food they serve. For a medium-sized restaurant, it's all kitchen. You can sit outside if you want, but it's a south facing place, so you are liable to get burnt yourself (see pictures). Thank God for Pat's on Laurel next door. AJ's will deliver next door, and the Pat's on Laurel will welcome lunch goers, provided they buy their drinks from the bar. It's not a hard rule, but it's polite. Back to the food. AJ's BBQ is only very fine. It's not perfect, but that's the problem with all BBQ restaurants. BBQ is meant to be eaten fresh out of the smoker, not just hot when you come in. Hot doesn't mean fresh, and my Mexican breakfast burrito was indeed hot, but the brisket inside, while tasty, wasn't fresh. I spent basic training in Missouri, trained in Texas, and lived in Kansas City, Little Rock, and Memphis. I know fresh BBQ. This was only 4 out of 5 stars. Too bad. We need a perfect BBQ joint in Valley Village, like the spectacular 'Bear Pit' in Mission Hills. That place has (sorry to my good BBQ loving friends) the best darned BBQ anywhere in the world. I salivate just thinking about it. You'd have never guessed that Los Angeles is the BBQ capital of the world. For those without my experience, AJ's BBQ will do very nicely. The brisket and pulled pork are tender, the pickled everything is fantastic, and the sides are groovy. Two and a half Thumbs Up.

Good food. Got my bbq fix. The brisket sandwich was juicy and flavorful. I like the potato salad. The queso dip was also good, but the chips were slightly greasy. Worth coming out for.

Andres

My cousin and i did a road trip to Ontario from Santa Maria and i found this spot on the way. Over all i enjoyed the food and service was very welcoming and helpful. 1.Rice had a Cajan taste with a hint of tang 2.The brisket i had was legit falling apart and was juicy 3.i usually dont have the bbq sauce since its mostly sweet elsewhere but here it had a tangy flavor that i preferred 4. The ribs were supper well seasoned 5 the macNcheese and cornbread was okay but lets be honest we dont go here for the sides I would go back definitely but inly get the proteins.

Danny “Fets” V

This place is good, we ate there 2 days in a row working in the area. Had pulled pork sandwich the first day, it was just a little dry so I had the brisket the next day, that was really good. I'd try the street corn next time as a side at that looked really good. The beans and Mac and cheese didn't wow me but was good . I'd give it 5 stars if it had some indoor seating, the sun was brutal sitting outside. Needs just a little more shade.

Gavin “GJM_reviews” Meichelbock

I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with this burger BUT I DID!!! The blend on the patty is perfect, so much delicious flavor that I was literally picking up every last crumb — that’s how good it was. It was also super juicy so it essentially marinated the rest of the burger. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is that the pickles and pickled onions were not pungent enough to cut through the fat from the patty. And don’t skip on the Thick Fries, they are perfectly seasoned with a pillowy interior and crisp exterior!

D W

Had the rib tips plate with a side of collard greens. The ribs were so tender and delicious and the greens were on point. The BBQ sauce is tasty, however they don't give you enough. But I will eat here again!!!

Nicholas Savalas

AJ's Tex-Mex Barbeque. The name is a bit long, but so is the flavor of the food they serve. For a medium-sized restaurant, it's all kitchen. You can sit outside if you want, but it's a south facing place, so you are liable to get burnt yourself (see pictures). Thank God for Pat's on Laurel next door. AJ's will deliver next door, and the Pat's on Laurel will welcome lunch goers, provided they buy their drinks from the bar. It's not a hard rule, but it's polite. Back to the food. AJ's BBQ is only very fine. It's not perfect, but that's the problem with all BBQ restaurants. BBQ is meant to be eaten fresh out of the smoker, not just hot when you come in. Hot doesn't mean fresh, and my Mexican breakfast burrito was indeed hot, but the brisket inside, while tasty, wasn't fresh. I spent basic training in Missouri, trained in Texas, and lived in Kansas City, Little Rock, and Memphis. I know fresh BBQ. This was only 4 out of 5 stars. Too bad. We need a perfect BBQ joint in Valley Village, like the spectacular 'Bear Pit' in Mission Hills. That place has (sorry to my good BBQ loving friends) the best darned BBQ anywhere in the world. I salivate just thinking about it. You'd have never guessed that Los Angeles is the BBQ capital of the world. For those without my experience, AJ's BBQ will do very nicely. The brisket and pulled pork are tender, the pickled everything is fantastic, and the sides are groovy. Two and a half Thumbs Up.

Chris Shaul

Good food. Got my bbq fix. The brisket sandwich was juicy and flavorful. I like the potato salad. The queso dip was also good, but the chips were slightly greasy. Worth coming out for.

I recently visited AJ’s Tex-Mex Barbecue in Valley Village, located along Riverside Drive in the San Fernando Valley. The neighborhood is known for its mix of local eateries and casual restaurants, and AJ’s stands out by blending Texas-style barbecue traditions with the bold flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine. The atmosphere feels relaxed and welcoming, with the character of a neighborhood barbecue spot. The interior has a rustic, laid-back vibe that reflects the barbecue culture it draws inspiration from. It is the kind of place where guests settle in for hearty food rather than a formal dining experience. The menu focuses on smoked meats and Tex-Mex comfort dishes. Barbecue staples such as brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken form the backbone of the offerings, often paired with classic sides like beans, slaw, and cornbread. Tex-Mex influences appear in items such as tacos, burritos, and dishes featuring rich sauces and bold spices. The combination of smoky barbecue flavors and Mexican-inspired ingredients creates a menu that feels both hearty and satisfying. Service during the visit felt friendly and efficient. Staff maintained a welcoming tone while keeping the meal moving at a comfortable pace, which fits the casual dining environment. From a global travel perspective, AJ’s Tex-Mex Barbecue reminded me of barbecue restaurants throughout Texas and the American Southwest where smoked meats and bold seasoning define the culinary identity. While Los Angeles is not traditionally known for barbecue in the same way as Austin or Dallas, places like this show how the style has spread and adapted across different regions.

I recently placed my first order at this restaurant, and I have to say that I was quite disappointed with the experience. I ordered the ribs plate along with cole slaw and BBQ beans. Unfortunately, the cole slaw didn't taste fresh, so I couldn't eat it, and to make matters worse, the BBQ beans were missing from my order. I called the restaurant, and they said they couldn't do anything since it was placed through Uber and it was too far away.

I've had tons of bbq all over America and this place is ok. Had pulled pork sandwich and the portions were good. Flavor wise the meal was missing the wow factor you get at a great BBQ place. I think the main reason is the BBQ sauce wasn't super delicious, just normal. The pulled pork meat itself was good. Would have been nice to get more sauce options. Also, seating outside needs an upgrade, Ambience is ok as well. Staff was very friendly.

Thiago Oliveira

I've had tons of bbq all over America and this place is ok. Had pulled pork sandwich and the portions were good. Flavor wise the meal was missing the wow factor you get at a great BBQ place. I think the main reason is the BBQ sauce wasn't super delicious, just normal. The pulled pork meat itself was good. Would have been nice to get more sauce options. Also, seating outside needs an upgrade, Ambience is ok as well. Staff was very friendly.

The BBQ sauce was way too acidic for me. I was hoping for something more sweet and/or smokey. I thought the ribs were tough and dry, but the brisket was cooked OK. The cornbread was great however. Overall this place is slightly below average in my opinion, and I have no plans of eating here again.

Very disappointed with the portions I received when I asked for my slaw on the side which comes with the pulled pork sandwich. The portion I received was 2 tablespoons; the potato salad was wayy too much mustard. The meat was OK,

For $28 dollars you would expect a little more flavor and quality. The baked beans had exactly zero flavoring, it tasted like it came straight out of the can without any type of seasonings. The half rack of ribs were mediocre At best. As someone who grew up in the Deep South, this the furthest thing from good BBq. This plate should have been $10 or less at best.

This was a really bad experience for me. I got the brisket, ribs, links and pulled pork. The pulled pork was absolutely terrible. It was bland with no seasoning. The links were good. The ribs had this odd smell to them but they taste good so maybe the rub. The brisket was good. The bbq sauce is really bad. It doesn't taste like a bbq. I'm not coming back here.

The brisket was dry like it was reheated, no wonder it took long and we were one of few customers at the time. The tri-tip sandwich comes with an overpowering horseradish sauce that just ruined it. Meat was also not the best. Maybe if it was busier we might’ve gotten better meats but its Sunday afternoon. Not really a fan of the beans either, only thing i kind of liked was the cornbread muffins. Kind of sucks the only seating is outdoors, the weather was cold and windy so we took it to go. Has LA lowered its standards for bbq?

First time ordering from here and portions were too small for what I paid for. Got my order wrong so I had my friend go back and get our meal we paid for. The guy handed us a bag to go, when we specifically told him we were eating there. The food was cold and the coke we had wasn’t cold enough. I wouldn’t come here again.

Wow for the price this was subpar BBQ at best. The portions are super small. The flavor is bland like they are trying to appeal to people who don't eat seasoned food. I should have knew when I saw they make burritos too. Places that specialize in everything usually specialize in nothing. I'll go to Bludsoe's next time for the same money the food is traditional BBQ and really does smack.

First time ordering from here I did delivery. The food was terrible. I spent 88 dollars for the 3 meats 3 sides. The pulled pork was cold and had a strong vinegar taste. The potato salad had way too much celery and the beans were tangy. I got my delivery in 20 min so I know that my food was not cold due to the delivery service. The tritip was ok we got three pieces. And the only decent meat was the brisket the Mac and cheese was ok. Not worth the 88 dollars.

Unacceptable time wait of one hour, w no information. They ran out of Beef Ribs and barbecue sauce w out appology. It's okay, the Brisket and Beef ribs are usually pretty good. They need John to come and help them manage better. They have excuses but no appologies, after waiting patiently for an order; I was handed my food while the guy handing it to me had his head turned and speaking to someone else, very rude. Plan ahead and go somewhere else.

Probably the worst BBQ ive had in the LA area. Ribs were dry and tough. BBQ sauce was just weird, the White BBQ sauce just tasted like mustard. Fries had no salt or seasoning. The tortillas were bizarre, very thick and hard. Brisket was very low quality. Sausage had no snap, tasted old and really salty. Wouldn't recommend this place.