Breakwater Barbecue, El Granada

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Breakwater Barbecue 10151 Cabrillo Hwy El Granada, CA 94018 (650) 713-5303 Breakwater Barbecue Website

old location

Breakwater Barbecue is an American craft barbecue carvery specializing in all wood smoked high quality meats. They’ve been around since 2020 and were listed in the SF Chronicles top BBQ list. We were biking nearby (God’s Trail is legendary) and dropped in for lunch. They are located across from the beach, about 20 miles from San Francisco.

• We’ve been back several times, latest in 2026 at their new location.
• Happy Hour Thursday/Friday 3-6pm $2 off taco/snacks, $10 Combos, $2 off draft/wine, $30 beer buckets
• Online ordering is turned off on weekends, so you can’t beat the line

The BBQ is as good as anything in SF. Far better than 4505. Give it a try if you are nearby. They run out of meats, so come early. Alas, Breakwater is only so good, it is still a level below the best BBQ we’ve had – Pinkerton’s Houston.

Safety Pluses – Outdoor seating in the back and front. Online menu, Delivery services available, online ordering.

Breakwater Food Review:

Brisket ($19 per 0.5 pound) Creekstone Farms Certified Black Angus, dry rubbed. Nice black edge and lots of fat. Ample quantity. Tender juicy. Solid BBQ sauce – bit sweet. 9/10

Pork Ribs ($15 for 0.5lb about 2) All natural pork, dry rubbed and Glazed. Very tender and great for pork fans. We prefer it to the brisket. 4505 in San Francisco also has good ribs. 9.5/10

Sausage Link ($8.50 each) Spicy, all natural 90% beef, 10% pork, made in house from our brisket & rib trim. This is probably 3 out of 10 for spicy, so not very. Nice casing and tender meat. 8.5/10

BBQ Tray Ribs ($26.25) 1/2 LB Smoked meat (2 Ribs – Wish there were more) Ribs are meaty and tender, not fall off the bone. Served w/ two small sides (That are huge), Breakwater Pickles, sliced onion, sauce, thick sliced yellow bread is a good way to create a slightly cheaper meal from the meat. 9.5/10

Gold Rush Pulled Pork ($14 for 1/2 pound) Bone In Pork Shoulder, “Gold Rush” seasoned dry rubbed is one huge mound of tender shredded pork. Well done. 8.5/10

Their Spicy Carrot Sauce is a Vinegar based, Carolina style BBQ Sauce with a significant heat kick to it.

Beef Ribs ($45) Only available at certain times, usually Sunday. Call ahead These are expensive but they convinced us to try it. No regrets. Very meaty, fall apart tender. Reminded us of Fikscue BBQ. We asked for some thick bread and they accommodated us. 8.5/10

Banh Mi sandwich ($17) with burnt ends has a TON of cubed meat, so much it can’t fit in the sandwich. Bread quality is pretty average. This is definitely a California type of sandwich. 8/10

Beans & Greens ($8, $12 large) Seasonal special. Simms Organics swiss chard, black eyed peas, sliced garlic, house smoked sausage. A surprisingly great side with complex hints. 10/10

Smokehouse Chili side ($8) is extremely meaty and hits the spot with its heartiness. 9/10

Apple Cilantro Slaw ($6) Crisp and creamy with a hint of spice. Also very good side. 8/10

Mac’n Cheese ($6) Cheesy, creamy. Roasted poblanos, Gold Rush spiced is very cheesy with a slight hint of spice. Big portion. 8.5/10

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