Dining at the Hick’ry Pit is like stepping back into time. The restaurant has a down home southern feel and the most delectable pies. During this visit I chowed down on a piece of coconut cream pie. It was absolutely scrumptious! The pie crust was flaky, it wasn’t too sweet, and the ratio of coconut and cream were perfect. I have had the pecan and lemon meringue pies during previous visits and they’re equally tasty!

Like always The Original Hick'ry Pit what we like to call Piggly Wiggly 🤗🍳 was on Point. The service was great the food was and is absolutely delicious. Oh special shout out to the owner son who is a cool dude sorry I forget your name but big ups for the pie.

We were at Walnut Creek Hospital and need a close place to eat. So we walked over to the Original Hick'ry Pit... WOW, Absolutely Outstanding!! We are from Texas, so we Know Great BBQ when we eat it. Our Server, Cathy was a Delight, Our Food was Spectacular. The pie was ok, which Was a disappointment. The Ribs, Turkey, Clay Chower soup and Beans were All Top Notch

This is not some super elevated dining where you’re going to find fancy names and brands, but that’s part of the point. This is good, hardy, classic American diner and barbecue fare, from a time that seems distant. You’ll smell this place before you see it, and the wood fires and meats are the center of the experience. Even simple things like the grapefruit juice, takes you back to that Sunday brunch with your family in middle America. Never had a bad meal here, never have had a dish I didn’t enjoy. Never felt like I didn’t get my money’s worth.

Their succulent ribs and the moist, smoky chicken are cooked to perfection. The flavors are well-balanced, and the homemade sauces are a delightful addition. The casual, rustic atmosphere and the attentive service create a wonderful dining experience. Don't miss the chance to savor their amazing BBQ!

Place we go for breakfast after night shift with coworkers. Always great service, even remember our orders from previous visits! Ordered the French toast with berries, yummy, huge portion. I LOVE their bacon!

Delicious ribs. Were very accommodating with our request to eat outside (have a very young baby) even though it was cold and rainy (have a covered patio with heaters).

Walked in and ordered takeout BBQ Ribs. Cashier was most pleasant, answered my questions regarding ribs and quickly filled my order. Establishment was clean, bright and cheerful. Dinner was excellent. Will definitely frequent again. Prices very reasonable, food tops. Looks like employees might be long time employees, very helpful and polite.

We have been weekly customers here for 45 years. The food is delicious, reasonably priced and served in generous portions by friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff. For these reasons, we seldom eat out anywhere else. Over the years we have tried other restaurants, but always come back to the Hickory Pit. However, I have noticed 2 changes recently that I should have mentioned well before now. 1. Why is the brown gravy so thin? The seasoning and taste is just as good as always, but it has been watered down from the rich, thick gravy that was formerly served up until a few years ago. Raise the price if necessary. 2. Many entrees on the menu state that bread rolls are included with the meal. However, I have noticed that over the last 3-4 years, rolls are not served unless specifically requested. I finally remembered to ask our waiter about this a few weeks ago and he said that the rolls were now served “on request” just as the beans and corn. If this is so, then the menu should be updated to reflect the change.

My family and I got into town later than expected and were looking for a dinner place that wasn't too busy but offered some different food options. We stopped here and immediately knew we made a good choice. The atmosphere felt like a family home, and all of the staff were super friendly. My family and I all chose different things and were happy with all of our meals. The garlic fries are to die for!! We already decided to return for breakfast the next day.

Sunday brunch was great. Outdoor seating was quiet and no one rushed us!

I'm so excited that they are still here. I lived in the area over 20 years and ate here every Sunday. My heart is warm with the sweet memories and the smell of house smoked bacon cooking. Best breakfast ever.

Been going here since I was born. Was my great grandfather's restaurant. It's nice that they still keep up photos of him. Stop in every chance I can for some ribs with that original sauce. Some of my earliest memories are of them. The pies and ice cold salads. He was very proud of his restaurants. That one in particular.

The Ruben sandwich was pretty tasty, I even have leftovers on my shirt and shorts. Recommend extra pickle and red onions 🤌

The Original Hick'ry Pit in Walnut Creek knows how to make happy hour truly happy! If you're a rib enthusiast like me, this is the place to be. I can't get enough of their mouthwatering ribs, and their happy hour offerings make the experience even better. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff who are always eager to assist. The happy hour deals are unbeatable. I love the fact that I can enjoy delicious, tender ribs without breaking the bank. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone perfection. The smoky flavor is heavenly, and the meat is always juicy and flavorful. The portion size during happy hour is generous, so you definitely won't leave hungry. Pair them with a cold beer or your favorite cocktail, and you've got the perfect combo. The only downside is that it can get quite busy during happy hour, so be prepared to wait for a table. However, I can assure you it's worth the wait. The Original Hick'ry Pit has set the bar high for happy hour ribs, and I'll keep coming back for more. Don't miss out on this Walnut Creek gem - it's a rib lover's paradise!

Just fantastic! Priscilla our waitress was better then excellent. She is very personable; she really took care of us. Ask for her! Had the two meat BBQ special, ribs and pulled pork, excellent. Tender and juicy with the right amount of smoke. The BBQ sauce was just right not sweet not spicy but just right. Wow, the gravy hit the spot reminded me of a pork based sage gravy; very good. The beans are just as fantastic as the meat; an old fashion smokey molasses type but not sweet, excellent. Top it off with a piece of fantastic warm boysenberry pie. Did I mention how great Priscilla was. Go and enjoy you won't regret it.

The best American comfort food I have had so far. We ordered meat lovers omelette and a medium rare 16oz New Yorker. The omelette is great, hash brown not too salty. The steak is juicy, but less marble than I expected. The sides are GREAT (salad and baked potato). The staff are all friendly and polite. The restaurant is baby friendly. I would definitely recommend here to anyone who suddenly has a hunger for American comfort food

My experience here was Truly amazing. In this day and age where you pay more and get less, this is Worth Every Dollar. I received a large Delicious portion. The French Roast Coffee was Fantastic. I would Highly Highly Recommend this Restaurant. I think my Server was Lauren and she was Great

The atmosphere is cozy and the staff are friendly. It looks like a diner but the food is closer to American BBQ outside of Saturday brunch. The prices were reasonable and the pie was bomb. I had the st louis ribs for dinner, which was wonderful. I even saw the owner run after a patron outside to give them back their wallet. 10/10 family place.

My judging might be helped by great memories but I ordered meat ribs, sides and a pie and all the food was exceptional. Servers were attentive and professional as was management. The wonderful smells are intoxicating. One of the better breakfasts around as well.

As delicious now as 1978. Across from the high school I graduated from. Yummy yummy ribs beef turkey and pies.

We’ve been taking our parents here. It’s easy to get in and out of as both have a walker/wheelchair. The parking is easy. The service is amazing. The food is amazing. They now have TVs basically a sports bar in the back. It’s old school booth and counter the barbecue is amazing. The kitchen is open concept. The servers are on point. I highly recommend next time I go I will be sure to get pictures.

What can I say, this place is just awesome! I hate eating out now because most of the food is so terrible and the prices are so high. This place actually restored some of my hope again. Thanks for a great experience.

I usually stop in for breakfast, but today I devoured the lentil soup! It was delicious. Big shout out to Emma for the amazing service.

Kasswinn Delluna

Love this place good old fashioned home style food... BBQ is great... haven't been disappointed with any item off their menu...

Joe Falcone

Just came out of the MRI at Kaiser and needed an infusion of good food before a 1+ hour drive home. Hick’ry Pit was the right prescription. Food was excellent and we were there for early bird prices. My wife loved her Cole slaw kit with the dressing separate.

+2

Jazzy Jeff2

This was our first visit, since we had seen a favorable review on IG. The atmosphere is indeed diner style. It gives me renovated Denny's vibe. At first rhe hostess was going to seat us at a table right across from the bar seating and in front of the bright lights of the open kitchen. When I requested to be moved further down she stated that the last 2 tables were closed for "maintenance?" However she agreed to seat us on the opposite side of those tables since there was a booth available. With that being said, this is not a place for a first date as thw atmosphere does not lend it self to romance. However. If you are seeking lip smacking delicious food, this place is it. My hubby ordered the 2 meat platter wirh prawns and original ribs, garlic parmesan fries and mac and cheese. The ribs were fall off the bone tender and we appreciated that they were thick and ample slices, the mac and cheese was pretty good for it not to be homemade. Although the platter only contained 5 prawns they were larger and the rest of the plate/tray was full. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with sweet potatoe fries and it came with a side of slaw. I do not care for Cole slaw unless it's homemade but this one!...delish! The perfect amount of sweet and savory. I topped my sandwich with it and it a as perfect. The bbq sauce is hands down one of thee best sauces I have had. They really need to bottle and sell it because I would put that on everything. We had enough food left over to take home and were so stuffed, we didn't have room for dessert, but I had my eye on the lemon pie and the pumpkin cheesecake, so will try it next time. The heated leftovers were just as delicious the next day. Needless to stay, this restaurant is on our top 5 list of the BBQ restaurants in Walnut Creek and we will definitely eat here again and let our friends and family know about this spot.

Anne Loyola

I had pork chops and eggs which were delicious and tender. My husband had their trip tip beef French dip served on a dutch crunch roll which was also delicious! You can even order the french dip with ham or pork. Service was great and we took a lemon cream pie for dessert. While we have not had the opportunity to visit them in quite a while, I love that this place has remained with great service and delicious food.

Dave Wu

The Original Hick’ry Pit is everything you want in a great American diner-style BBQ spot. From the retro charm of the interior to the comforting smell of smoked meats, it hits all the right notes. The BBQ ribs are the undeniable highlight—fall-off-the-bone tender, smoky, and perfectly sauced without overpowering the meat itself. Portions are generous, and the flavor brings you back to backyard cookouts and old-school pit BBQ. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is laid-back, and the menu sticks to what it does best: timeless BBQ classics. If you’re looking for hearty, satisfying food with no pretense, this is the place. A Walnut Creek staple that delivers every time.

+7

Rinad Hawit

This place is becoming my favorite in Walnut Creek. All the servers are so personable and the food is incredible. Love that this is a family mom and pop shop. Quality of the food is always great, small touches like the house made pickled onions go a long way. What better Sunday than bottomless mimosas and a huge burger.

David Miller

Loved the food. Wait staff were excellent! Even though we took a long time to decide, they kept patiently checking back and also helped with great recommendations. I would take one star off for atmosphere, because I felt the inside was crouded, uncomfortable, and too loud, but the outside area really makes up for it. See the pictures.

Taylor Jade

Awesome place for breakfast, lunch or brunch! I went there for the first time with my mother and she got the club sandwich and I ordered the Reuben. they were not skimpy on the corn beef hash. Everything was quickly made and brought to us fresh. I will be frequenting this place a lot more now. Sherri our waitress was attentive and kind.

J P

This outlet resembles more the old school stores of the glorious past of Emil Villa's Hickory Pit in Oakland. The brown sauce is great here. They serve the ribs the traditional way with a grilled and buttered hamburger bun on the side...just another thing along with a mountain of fries to drench into that sauce. It's good too that all the ribs served are fully cut through, so you don't have to try to saw through them all with a little knife and the big flap ends with all the meat are still attached, YUM! I hate this "St. Louis" style ribs where the good meaty ends are all sawed off before, and all you get is the straight rib and meat that is just between the bones. This seems to be how most places serve ribs now. This is definitely on the must stop list for a trip to the Bay Area. Prices are up, but the full slab of traditional ribs are so worth it.

+4

Steven Sexton

This was our last meal on vacation and probably our best. The service was too notch and the food was outstanding. It was Father's day so they were busy but everything went really well. Everyone I was with all thought this was the best meal of the whole vacation. If you are in the area definitely stop by here for good BBQ. The inside doesn't have the look of a BBQ place but don't let it fool you, this place is amazing!!

+1

A place for food that sticks to your ribs. The steak was reasonably priced and tasty. The key lime pie was not as tart as I would have hoped, but I would try another flavor next time.

He said it's worth the wait!! Its falling off the bone. There isn't many people here. We got seated quickly and food came out super quick too I wasn't as big on my meal but was good

Consistently good-un pretentious! Old school booths that are comfortable. Very nice staff, who for the most part work together Fresh brewed iced tea Home made potato salad Smoked BBQ chicken(moist and full of flavor) Crisp French Fries Crisp quality bacon on cheese burger Great place any time of day

Food here is pretty good. They serve BBQ and house-made pies, with a happy hour menu late in the afternoon. The vibe gives off the ambiance of an old school diner. They have salad and burger options as well. The pie menu looked nice, key lime pie is one of the seasonal options during the spring. Was tempted to get a slice, but our waitress never really came back to check on us and it was very difficult to flag her down. Not a great experience, especially since I took a friend visiting from Europe to eat here. Overall, might consider coming back but the service here left much to be desired.

The restaurant seems dated. I guess the original decor. Food here is really good though. Servings are generous and wait times were a bit longer than normal. We ordered the tri tip and the St. Louis ribs. Very tender and juicy. Side orders were huge! My son ordered the Southwestern Chicken Salad. That was a huge serving! We had baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad. Stuffed to the brim!

The food is decent. I ordered the country fried steak and eggs. The country fried steak were frozen and then fried. If they had just made it fresh it would have tasted better. Portion size is good. Didn't have the ribs, but if it is still like it was when it was Emil Villas than it should be good. UPDATE: 4/9/2025- I just went here the other day. I needed a dessert to bring to a friend's house. I was in the area and remembered that they sold pies. When I entered I was greeted by the friendly hostess. She asked how she could assist me? I said I was looking for a pie and she told me to speak to the woman behind the counter. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of variety. Seasonal like Fresh Strawberry, refrigerated like Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream, Key Lime & Lemon Meringue. Fruit pies apple, cherry, peach. I decided on a Boysenberry and picked up some vanilla ice cream from the grocery store. It was delicious. I'll give it another chance for the food next time I visit.

Complete menu change and remodel. Trying to keep up with the times. Food is still good, but quality and quantity have gone down and price way up. $80 for 2 for lunch. 2 dips, side, salads, and ice tea. Tri tip in dip is fatty and tough compared to before, and the kitchen can't slice thin for some reason to help out with the toughness.

Both of us had breakfast. As one would probably expect, the very best part of the meal was the bacon. It was delicious. My wife had apricot pie and really enjoyed it also.

Management needs to step up and get it back to where it was before. Menu has been cut in half. The day we were there they were understaffed. Eggs were extremely dry meaning they had been sitting there on the grill for some time. Must try pies, always great! The bar is a great addition and I'll need to get in there and try it.

Wife and I stopped in while we were in town. It was humid in there so eating in the restaurant was a pass for us. We ordered our BBQ to go and that made up for it! Fantastic food and it was worth the price. All the meats were done perfect! We will return here when we come back to Walnut Creek, CA!

This place was a delight, because the waitress (Mila?) was an absolute gem, and the pies were amazing. It’s rare that I would feel like going back to a restaurant just because the waitress was so charming and friendly, but that’s the case. We really appreciated her “straight up honesty” on what was good, and when one item wasn’t to our taste, she suggested swapping it out for another variant, and that was fantastic. I loved the pie, and am interested in trying more items on their menu. Might become my favorite place in Walnut Creek, this was just the first visit!

Foods good, standard diner, a bit expensive especially for the portion size, $65 (with tip) for breakfast for two; eggs your way, and waffle and egg, +1 coffee, +1OJ.

Great old-style bbq and sandwich joint. Like time-travel? You'll like the Hickory Pit. I come here when I want booths, a waitress, pie, no hurry, good iced tea and value. I like the barbecue here, but the sandwiches, salads and other entrees are good.

It was our first time and had our reservations when we went in and saw the old fashion decor / but then thought it was actually great to keep the tradition and feel like in the movies. Service was great and the food was solid. While the Saint Louis ribs were a little on the dry side , the BBQ sauce in the side made them nice. Tri tip was delicious. Finally without too much expectation we tried the apricot pie , it was great!

I came here for brunch based on a social media suggestion. The food was tasty. I had the Berry Waffle. However, what made me want to try the place out was the banana and nuts French Toast that was shown in the video. Turns out, that's not on their menu. Sooooo I was duped, and that was disappointing. But, no fault on the restaurant for that. I did get the bottomless mimosas. Those were good. Add a few more juice options, and it would be great! I drove a little over an hour to try the spot out, and it was good. I probably won't make the drive again just to go there, but if I'm in town looking for a good bite to eat, I'll go back. I feel like I have to try the ribs and have a slice of pie!

Crab sandwich was just "ok". Potato salad was bland, it could have used a few more ingredients to liven up the flavor. Ordered a slice of apple pie, and it had an odd starchy taste to it. I had the server exchange it for a lemon merengue pie and it tasted better, but still had an odd starchy flavor to it and the filling was not smooth. I figured out later that they must have been using flour for the thickener rather than corn starch, which has a smoother texture and a completely different flavor. My overall impression of the food was - meh. Our server was fine though.

More expensive than you think. Good drinks, food and pie, so good spot.

Victor C

Lively Family Spot with pretty good food. Standard breakfast fare with a surprisingly good coleslaw. The Pie is really where it's at though. If anything, go light on the mains and save room for the pie. The Keylime was amazing!

+12

Dan A

Food has been good for over 30+ years since I’ve been going! Pies are great for take home. If your wife is giving birth next door at Kaiser, you go here for lunch/dinner while she sleeps.

JC

Delightful morning breakfast with family here . Laurie was very thoughtful and kind. Excellent service. Very tasty delicious classic all American chicken fried steak, scrambled eggs, and hash. Reasonably priced for inflation. I plan to come here regularly and would recommend for friends. Prompt services. Comfortable booth.

J' Marie

Ordered the New York steak loaded bake potatoe & salad. The first steak came out very cold in the center, had to send it back. Felt like they literally took it from the fridge and put it on the plate. The 2nd steak was cooked like it was supposed to, med rare. It had a great taste to it. The old fashioned was shaken with ice because it had a very weak/water down taste to it, tasted like it was made with rye. Salad was very fresh, staff friendly very upbeat people. Must be a Cali thing because every place I go to I literally have to walk them through how to make a med rare, seem they only know how to do prime ribs out here 🤣.

The service is friendly and attentive here, but the food really isn’t terrific. My steak was very fatty and rubbery and my baked potato tasted pretty old. I just wasn’t impressed with the quality of food this time😬

Great location and easy to get to. The service was very good but unfortunately the food fell short. Ordered the tri-tip for the smoked meats and potato salad. The tri-tip was warm at best, the meat was tough and there was no smoke flavor or even signs of it being smoked. I do have to give them credit for some good bbq sauce though. The potato salad was bland as well with even the addition of salt and pepper that didn't seem to help that much.

Unpretentious BBQ next to Kaiser Med Ctr in Walnut Creek, on a Saturday night, it was not busy and the food was Ok, appetizer soup, salad and calslaw were better than the average but the main meal was Ok, our server was very good and Manager was on the floor, and very friendly and courteous, which was a plus.

Traditional Diner that happens to serve BBQ. Brisket was dry, sauce was good, sausages are not house made and likely from Costco. The crab sandwich was delicious, but after a while you think to your self “okay I’m tired of the crab taste now”.. I will be coming back but only for a traditional full stack and a side of bacon. Servers were nice.

Have been here many times. Food is good and service is variable, but typically OK. Not cheap, and portions have gotten smaller, but still reasonable. Outside dining is good, but keep the sun in mind in terms of where you sit. The breakfast menu is now quite small, and they are really trying to be a sports bar, not a breakfast place. We now mostly only go when we want to also buy a pie, which have always been excellent and reasonably priced.

I ordered the half chicken and it was ok. Mac and cheese were just ok and the mashed potatoes were just ok as well

Corned Beef Rueben was dry and chewy! Service great!

Love the vibe and service but the food has not been decent. Been a few times, ordering something new to try and each time being disappointed unfortunately. I think more flavor and freshness, everything from the salads, to the bread to the Mac n cheese and the pickled onions on the plate seem like they are weeks old.

The meat is wonderful! Do NOT order the corn, truly no flavor. Most of the sides lacked flavor except the loaded backed potatoe (which the toppings save). I would only go back for the meat and nothing else. There is no hot sauce and only two sauces. Also wild that a BBQ place has no mac and cheese

Value was really good. Juge portions was amazing to last for next days lunch. Staff was kind and attentive. Restaurant was very clean. The meat (chicken and both eib types and tri tip) were smoked as promised and tender. However, there was NO, absolutely NO flavor on either of the meats. None!! The gravy also had no flavor! None!! Just the BBQ sauce had flavor. The beans tastes as if out if a can mostly. So, if you want minimal flavor, this is for you. Going to take for lunch, add my own seasonings and save and enjoy it.

The place smells great but the service was poor. Our waitress didn't start being friendly till she apparently messed up our order. My hamburger steak tasted incredibly boring. I'd have been better off just getting a hamburger, but the french fries that I didn't order tasted totally yummy. I'd give an extra star 🌟 if the staff were friendly.

Don’t order the Ribs. This restaurant which was famous for the Rips has failed . I have been going to the Walnut Creek location for 50 years traveling from Pleasanton. I have been to all 5 locations but WC has made changes under new management in the preparation of their Ribs that leave them tasteless over cooked and mushy. They fall off the bone and have lost there great taste. I don’t like being served on a metal cookie sheet another change by the new manager it just doesn’t fell sanitary like a nice porcelain plate If you like the complimentary bake beans and corn that’s gone unless you want to pay extra. Come to find out they used to offer rolls and butter , I don’t remember when that stopped . They claim the new process is much healthier so have they been serving unhealthy food all these years . Tom and his wife made this restaurant famous sorry it’s going down hill

I have been a customer for 30 years. The last 2 visits have been a disappointment. I asked for extra crispy hash browns, both times that request was ignored. Also, both times my veggie scramble eggs were overcooked, brown scorched throughout. Not only was the food marginal, the prices go up and the care goes down. Today one of my servers was engrossed texting on her phone. In summary, the person cooking my breakfast should have cared to do it right, the server should have seen that the hash browns and eggs were not good, but nobody cared enough, but the check sure came quickly. I used to enjoy my visits here. I will not be returning for a while. If it happens again it will be the last time.

A few weeks back I had breakfast here. Eggs … the shells were left in the cooked eggs not a lil shell but almost a dime sized. I mentioned it to the server … no offer to change my order or even compensate in other ways. It was really a non chalant manner of handling it. Another item was forgotten . Again mentioned it and it was not corrected. It’s disappointing to return to a restaurant that I had great memories of goin to since I was a child and it’s def not the same place. They refused to take my plate off the bill and offered me a piece of pie instead. I took it but when I got home to eat it … it was a sugar free slice that seemed stale or old. They didn’t even ask what kind of pie I wanted. This is isn’t the first time the service has been poor but the 1 st time I have written a review about it. It’s over priced for the portion sizes and the style is of the restaurant is outdated. It seems as tho they are now cutting corners.

Servers were nice, but a bit slow sometimes. Food was miserable. My "medium rare" steak was almost well done on one side and blue rare on the other. Barely seasoned. The roasted vegetables were hardly roasted, id personally rename them to Warm Unseasoned vegetables. Mashed potatoes were the bomb though, that's why its 2 stars. The pickles were good too, thank you for those.

Been eating here for 50+ years. I was in town visiting last week to attend the final A’s game in Oakland and was so VERY disappointed that they changed how the original ribs are cooked. They tasted terrible and the original brown sauce has lost its great taste as well. My brother and I were told by our server that they changed the way they marinade and cook the ribs 1.5 years ago. Unfortunately this was my last visit. So very sad.

VERY LOUD!!!! Also, we were severely inconvenienced, yet, they didn't think to comp us anything. Hadn't visited for years, thought we would try again. This time, it is a resounding NO. Not going back EVER. Also almost $20 for a regular breakfast. This place is overpriced for good food and bad pies with awful dense crust. For the "oldest restaurant in Walnut Creek", you would think that they would have developed some sort of expertise in the hospitality arts, sadly no.

We had takeout the Coleslaw dressing was so salty it made me gag it is usually real good but not this time also we payed $9.50 for a pint of beans and when we got how they were missing in the future I will just eat there instead of takeout

RICHARD lewis

All 3 orders were like warm at best. The baked potato was cd enough where the butter did not melt. All the meats were extremely dry and really tough. I had a pr

SC

The place has great customer service which were really did appreciate. Kudos to Alejandra C. who basically earned the rating. Brunch wise I 100% in support of the previous 3⭐️ review that you would not miss it if you skip it. Let’s start from the beginning: inside dining is traditional American attire. Outside seating is relatively cool in the shade on the hot April Sunday with flowers coloring the South Main views. Great service with smiles and menu knowledge with recommendations. Went simple with Meat Lovers Omelette and Country Sausage and Eggs + 2 coffees. Food came relatively fast however absolutely basic. Cheesy omelette with ham and bacon. Slightly over dried sausage was left in the plate as well. Coffee was nice (medium to light roast regular and decaf) with in time refill and we thank you for that. Would give this place another try to check their authentic pork ribs hoping for the better.

+5

Sitting here now the breakfast is nasty our food came out Luke warm , the server barley checked on us . The only thing good here is the mimosas. Not to mention we were the only black couple here and they most definitely treated us like we didn’t belong here I left a whole plate of food because it was disgusting 🤮 . I asked for cheese on my eggs and they put it on my hashbrowns instead .

Not a fan of coming here because of the service, Justin was our server, he took forever to take our order, kept telling us I'll be back. I'll be back, Everytime we try to order. The food is very good, just the service sucks! Every time I come it's the same with the same server. Not a fan of Justin.

If you're looking for a BBQ experience that will make you question your life choices, this place is for you! The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a stale smell that didn’t exactly scream "smoky goodness." I ordered the ribs, and what arrived was a sad, dried-out piece of meat that tasted like it had been left under a heat lamp for hours. The sauce? It was more like a sad, watery excuse for flavor that barely clung to the meat. The sides were equally disappointing. The mac and cheese had a texture resembling glue, and the cornbread tasted like it was made from a box... from 10 years ago. The coleslaw was the only thing that had a decent texture, but it was drowned in mayonnaise to the point where it felt more like a punishment than a side dish. The service was no better. The waiter was disinterested, barely acknowledged us, and seemed to be more focused on his phone than checking on our table. I almost had to get up and serve myself. The ambiance? If you're into the vibe of a run-down BBQ joint with zero charm, this is your place. The entire experience was a lesson in disappointment from start to finish. I'll be sticking to my own grill next time.

Did to go order. Could not smell aroma of BBQ when you walk in. All meats (ribs and tri tip) undercooked and no seasoning. Sauce was watery and no taste. Sides (corn, coleslaw, potato salad) were bland. BBQ beans tasted burnt and sauce used in them was not good. Price too high for quality. Would suggest other customers and owners go to Nugget Rib Cookoff during Labor Day Weekend. Would not go back.

Probably the worst Rueben sandwich I have ever had. Meat was thick sliced and dried out. Bread was so soggy that the sandwich fell apart when I picked it up. The whole thing was so hot that I swear they put it in the microwave. To their credit, they took the cost of the sandwich off the bill. The meat on my wife's french dip sandwich was full of gristle and equally inedible. We had such high hopes for this place - maybe we just caught it on a bad day.

Terrible! inedible!!! Been a patron for 50 years. Cheap food . Ribs horrible!!! Gravey sauce like water no flavor. Two bites was two bites too many!!!

I was totally disappointed in my slab of original ribs to go the turkey dip sandwich was very good but the ribs were dried out they were like eating pork jerky on a bone. I understand the price increase as everything has gone up in price but then to tack on a 10 per cent up charge for orders to go over $50.00. I'm heart broken I expected those outstanding ribs I was used to only to get the worse ribs I have ever had. Looks like Barney's in Concord is my go to BBQ joint from now on.

The new ownership is horrid. I went in and spent $80 on take out to bring all the way to placer county on my way from the airport. My mom has been in the hospital and was excited for ribs. Well. No ribs! Ruined the night. I flew into sfo instead of Sacramento just to get food from here and they missed the main item. Called them and offered gift cards to someone who lives two hours away. They never delivered. My mom called them about 9 times. They lie to her every time. This place is an absolute joke and has horrible management. They are thieves and liars. Don’t give them your business.

Full nightmare. Heard a kitchen staff member drop food and when asked by a wait staff if they should throw it away, the answer was "30 second rule!". The kitchen floor was filthy. The ribs were cut by someone who has never actually looked while chopping. Heard the cook and staff argue about doneness levels of meat for 20 minutes at the next table, inclusive of the cooks coming out with examples - at no point did anyone ask her what she wanted to happen differently to the steak she ordered. The waitperson then said "we just do it so differently here". Absolutely mind boggling. Never served our pie, asked twice, had to ask to take it off the bill. Scam of a place. But it's Walnut Creek. Truly this place needs a deep cleaning. Remove the oily carpet. The booths are positively swimming in a lube of grease. Fix your hoods and your HVAC.

This has always been a go to place for me for the bbq and the extensive menu items for over fifty years. We especially love the cold slaw but was very disappointed at our visit on Friday 7-18-25. Someone really got the dressing recipe for the cold slaw wrong! Very strong and overwhelming with horseradish! I couldn’t eat it! Wanted to speak with the quality manage but the waiter assured me that he would pass on the information. Something has happed to this place since covid as on an earlier visit the ribs were not cooked done which never happened the many years in the past. I hope they are able to get it together as I would hate to loose this place as one of my favorites.

The manager Robert does a bad job managing and cooks are not so good anymore...Salads with lettuce or coleslaw turning brown Yuck..I miss this one manager Bobby who was there for many many yrs.He was excellent.Been coming here for 40 years and I fear its gonna go under.We wont eat here again,its that bad for us.

Debby Cole

First time eating at this establishment due to a doctor appointment right next door. Some good old barbecue sounded hella good. I'm sorry to say it was the worst meal I've ever had in my 69 years of life not enjoyed eating a meal in a restaurant. I ordered a three meat combo with two sides I ordered St Louis ribs tri-tip and Ham. Sides where corn and beans. Ribs were dry ham was dry, tri-tip was okay none of it was seasoned corn was canned no seasonings beans were burnt pickled onions were old pickle was okay. Staff was amazing I do have to say so of course I did not eat the food and I was not charged staff was very accommodating and friendly just so sad that something so good could be so bad. For $ 48 I sure expected it to be worth $48

Kevin Page

I have been eating at this restaurant since I was 6 years old in 1966. I moved to Arkansas 9 years ago but every time I've come back to California first place I go is Emal Villas in Walnut Creek. A couple of days ago ,10-21-25, we've come back for a family visit. Directly from the airport we went to there for dinner. For the first time the ribs were garbage and my beloved brown sauce was tasteless and watery. All I could taste from the ribs and sauce was pepper as the ribs were covered in it. I was told that the owners changed the rib cooking process. I don't understand how an idiot can take award-winning ribs and turn them into garbage thinking it made them better. I talked to the manager about it and he was understanding but he said it's the way the new owner wants it. Apparently the new owner has destroyed a 60-year-old family tradition of us eating there as our favorite restaurant. I had planned to probably spend at least $150 over the next week in ribs from there during our visit. I have lost all respect for this restaurant with these stupid changes.

Jesse Lopez

Ok so ..to plainly put it just GROSS. 🤮 the sauce was like a gravy that had no flavor and watery ( see picture) the bread was literally top burger buns butter and soggy. The ribs were pure fatty and the meat look sub par. I cannot recommend this place based off the food. People were nice and staff attentive but the food is a NO GO

M M

I’m extremely disappointed with my recent visit to this restaurant — an establishment I’ve previously praised to family and friends for its food and ambiance. Unfortunately, what should have been another enjoyable dining experience was completely derailed by the service we received from a waitress named Maria. From the moment we were seated, it was clear we were being ignored. Maria made eye contact with us from a distance several times yet made no move to approach our table. We had to ask the hostess if someone — anyone — could help us. When Maria finally arrived, there was no greeting, no smile, and no sense of welcome. Her demeanor was flat-out rude and indifferent, as though we were a burden rather than paying customers. This isn’t an isolated experience — it’s the second time I’ve had the misfortune of being served by her, and while the first time was borderline tolerable, this time crossed the line. The lack of basic courtesy and customer service was stunning. I’ve honestly never felt so unwelcome at a restaurant. We eventually voiced our concerns to the hostess, who thankfully took them seriously and brought in a new server. While I appreciated that swift action, the damage had already been done. Maria continued to linger nearby, pretending to be cheerful with other customers in a way that came across as performative and frankly disingenuous. It was uncomfortable and awkward. I left the restaurant with a bitter taste in my mouth — and not just from the food, which I couldn’t even enjoy after the dreadful experience. I kept thinking, Why didn’t I just get up and leave? No guest should ever feel unwelcome or disrespected, and it’s clear this server lacks the professionalism and hospitality required in a customer-facing role. Regardless of how good the food may be, no meal is worth being treated like an inconvenience. Regretfully, I will not be returning — and I will certainly stop recommending this restaurant to others until I hear that serious steps have been taken to address issues like this. A single rude employee can tarnish the reputation of an entire establishment.