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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
The Last Stage West BBQ is founded upon the principal of great hospitality, food and music. This "Music Venue of Dreams" attracts very talented artists… read more »
53 reviews for Alex Bar-B-Q
Review Highlights
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"I had the pulled pork sandwich-delicious." In 6 reviews -
"...make this a routine pit stop when driving down the coast." In 3 reviews -
"the pit style baby back ribs are outstanding." In 2 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica P.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/15/2012
I will definately eat here again when I'm in the area. I just stopped in for a to go order, but the girl was very nice. The place spelled yummy and looked to have a nice atmosphere. I got a pulled pork sandwich! It was delicious! The sauce ws sweet and spicy. No yucky fat stuff in there. It came with steak fries and slaw! GOOD! My husband got a 5 rib meal. He liked the choweder, slaw, and fries. He expected more meat on his ribs. Our only complaint.
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Review from S M.
Clovis, CA
12/22/2011
I went here a few years ago, the food sucked.
I decided to try this place again, and this is seriously the WORST BBQ I've ever had. I had to drink 5 glasses of water to get the food down it was so dry. The service was extremely rude. Just because it's slathered in BBQ sauce doesn't mean it's good.
I can see things still haven't changed. What a pity. -
Review from Gia R.
Walnut, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Restaurant was recommended by a friend so I stopped on my way to Cambria. Place has been there a long time and it shows. Booth seats are badly worn and the whole place needs a good scrubbing. Had pulled pork sandwich and it was good. Husband had tri-trip sandwich and thought it was just okay. There are so many other good restaurants in the area so I'd have to pass the next time.
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Review from Irene C.
3/6/2012
A bit empty on a Friday night and the dining room didn't look like much. But our service for a table of six was excellent and they put up with all of our semi-drunken bullhonky! Prices are a bit high, but you can order things a la carte and then it's much cheaper. My boyfriend ordered the surf and turf special, and I just tacked on a half rack of pork ribs for $13. They were excellent and I could only eat half of them (which was great, because I incorporated them into an egg scramble later that weekend). We had a ton of leftovers that made for the perfect midnight snack. This Yelp page is a little misleading; the restaurant is open until 9 p.m. (off season hours?) or 10 p.m.; the bar is open until 2 a.m. Not sure if you can still order BBQ in the bar. Oh, and not five stars only because they were out of a lot of entrees on the menu.
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Review from Tim L.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/13/2012
My only complaint is they are so far from where I live (Four hour drive) Western Burger was so big I couldnt finish it. Delicious Coleslaw (And Im picky about the stuff) Excellent Wait staff (Jennifer and the Busser were very attentive). Try the Steak Salad (Its a meal all by itself) I actually TRIED to get my coke empty. They were there asking if I wanted More as I set down My Glass. Huge portions, Quality service, Great deal.
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Review from Petronila P.
Los Angeles, CA
9/7/2011
The service was kind of slow. There were only 2-3 other tables and we waited quite some time. The romaine lettuce in my salad was brown. The steak tasted bad.
The one thing I must rave about is the clam chowder. It was excellent. I would go there if all I were getting was clam chowder.
They did not have outdoor seating or allow dogs. -
Review from Chase S.
6/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dropped in late on a Friday after an impromptu drive down the coast. After being served a beer and a ridiculously strong margarita from the bar we started with a steak appetizer which was basically a sirloin cooked a perfect medium rare served with garlic toast. For dinner we shared a tri-tip sandwich and a bacon cheeseburger both served with thick cut steak fries. I was actually too full for dessert which is pretty much unheard of so yeah, it was meaty goodness.
peace, love, and good booze ~ chase
http://goodbooze.tumbl...Listed in: Pismo'ish
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Review from Rose N.
Pismo Beach, CA
Updated - 12/29/2011
Your review helps others learn about great local businesses.
Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.5 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/28/2011
Your review helps others learn about great local businesses.
Please don't review this business if you… Read more »
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Review from Scott H.
Simi Valley, CA
8/4/2011
LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
I try to stop in whenever passing through Pismo. Excellent pulled pork, excellent ribs. Nice divey atmosphere in the bar. -
Review from Heidi L.
Hayward, CA
1/21/2011
Grrrrr me like meat. Me want meat. Me want some good old fashioned bar-bee-quoo!
*insert wimpy meat*
Rip off and a half. Other than the pulled pork that was tasty (just the meat, not the soggy bun), I really do not understand the high ratings. We forgot to take pictures of our to go meals (as proof of wimpyness) , but what we were given definitely did not live up to the $25 bill (2 orders). Take note: online prices are incorrect. Almost all dishes have been jacked up in price. Lame.
Order #1
Tri-tip Sandwich: Wimpy looking. Not at all what we were expecting after thoroughly yelping for dinner options. All this hype for 2 pieces of toast with a few dry slices of meat. Tiiiiny container of bbq sauce couldn't save it.
Grilled veggies: Like David P. says, it comes drenched in oil. Tasteless beyond belief. More carrots than zucchini and broccoli.
Coleslaw: Comes in bbq sauce container aka...one bite.
Order #2
Pulled Pork Sandwich: Meat was pretty tasty actually. I would have liked to put some bbq sauce on it but the tiny container we had, had to be used on the tri tip sandwich.
Sweet Potato Fries: Waste of an extra $2 or 3 dollars. Worst decision ever. Oh, no offer of ketchup either. Never have I thrown away sweet potato fries...until now.
Coleslaw: See above.
What was supposed to have been a chill dinner in our hotel room ended up being a fail. We should have spent our money at a fancy pants place instead. -
Review from Laurie C.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2011
We had the pulled pork and the bbq western burger. These were both recommended by the waitress.
Service was slow... only one waitress for the whole restaurant.
Pulled pork was 8.95 and good... perhaps a lower price for the amount we got would have been nice. It came with thick fries that were decent tasting.
The burger was on a toasted long bread. The hamburger was cooked medium, and it sat in the middle of this long bread. Cheese was not melted and they forgot the BBQ sauce. It was hard to eat a round burger on a long bun. It came with coleslaw and fries for 8.95. Burger tasted better than it looked, but it still looked awkward. Slaw was ok- small in portion.
Senior citizens get 10% off, with no age limit stated on menu. So, she let us have it... LOL Let's just say I am in my mid 50's. -
Review from Angie D.
Santa Maria, CA
12/31/2011 2 photos
The juiciest & most delicious BBQ ribs I've had around here. Large portions enough to easily split with someone. I was not disappointed.
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Review from Christopher H.
Newport Beach, CA
12/15/2011
Alexs is the best BBQ west of the Mississippi! Pork ribs, pow! Pulled pork, shazam! The BBQ sauce is perfect, good clam chowder, the bar is a little divey but don't let it fool you, its a gem.
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Review from nicholas w.
Sacramento, CA
11/22/2011
Great ribs, super awesome service and an all around fun place!!!
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Review from Eddie C.
9/13/2009 6 photos
Old school rib joint that looks like a roadside diner... oh yeah it is off the side of Hwy 101! Great friendly service with an extensive menu of BBQ choices.
We came here ready to eat after a long day of moving my daughter into her new pad at Cal Poly. The food was good. I thought the sauce on my Saint Louis Ribs was exceptional. The soups were homemade, I had the clam chowder and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't usual premade overly thick stuff that is usually served at many of the restaurants. The prime rib was tender and very flavorful.
The meat on both the beef and pork ribs could have been more tender. As my cousin described it - the meat just didn't fall off the bone.
8 people -$200.
Easy to get to from SLO, a great place for a casual diner.
Next time? I'm gonna try the Rib eye and see how they fare as a steakhouse. -
Review from John B.
Santa Clarita, CA
9/10/2010
After an infuriating meal at Izakaya Raku I knew that Alex could make it all better.
The place was packed. Our server had our little party and a table with 20-30 folks from a wedding party so she was sa-wamped. Service was not fast but she got that Rum and Coke out quick so all was well.
The ribs were awesome and the rum made me almost forget that bad sushi lunch. I was feeling so good by the end that I even paid for the drink mistakenly added to our bill.
Thanks Alex for readjusting my equilibrium. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Fremont, CA
4/14/2010
You won't have a hard time looking for this BBQ joint. Ohhhhh yessss... you can smell the oak pit fire bbq deliciousness from blocks away. As soon as I rolled into Pismo, Alex's BBQ was my first stop. The party don't start until the damage is done at Alex's BBQ. Mmmmmm!
My favorites:
-Baby back pork ribs
-Beef ribs (these are ginormous - like dinosaur bones)
-Calamari steaks
-Pulled pork sandwich
-Cheese head brats -
Review from Charlie S.
Irvine, CA
8/7/2010
Have you ever:
1. decided on where to eat based on a particular smell that hit your senses and sent a message to your brain saying, "stop here. its going to be GOOD."
2. took your forefinger and thumb and PINCHED off a chunk of meat off a pork rib that was lying on your plate??????
HAVE YOU?????
I NEVER HAVE UNTIL I WENT TO ALEX BAR-B-Q.
I was driving around Pismo Beach with my boyfriend looking for local eats. You know, when you're without yelp you look for full parking lots, lines of people, signs that boast "best ________ in town!!!" You largely rely on sight. And hearing, IE word of mouth.
We relied on neither.
Suddenly, a sweet, smoky, pavlov, mouth-watering-inducing, intoxicating smell cut through the saltiness of the sea air. BBQ. We parked immediately and robotically approached the doors.
Our server was acting as host/food runner/server/busser to all the tables in the restaurant, and maintained a REALLY friendly attitude and smiled throughout the time we were there.
We got the beef rib+ half rack pork rib combo between the both of us. We ate out beef ribs first... but after eating those pork ribs... it was a shame to go back to the beef.
Those pork ribs were truly "fall off the bone". So much, that when he pulled off a section, the bone was left clean and a clear indent was evident in the meat. I would have provided pictures if we didn't scarf it down so quickly.
I didn't even have to ask for extra sauce. Nor did I ketchup, A-1 sauce, nothing!
All in all, attentive service, reasonable prices, and fall-off-the-bone meat. I'd recommend this place EASILY. -
Review from Stacy T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/6/2011
We ordered food to go and brought it back to the hotel. The prices were reasonable, and the food was outstanding. We had the chicken and the salmon which were excellent. Deducted one star for ambiance, but overall we were very happy with dinner.
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Review from Laura K.
Northridge, CA
9/4/2011
This is truly the best BBQ I have ever had. We go here every time we are in the Pismo area. The service is great and the food marvelous. I would highly recommend this place to anyone local or passing through the area.=-)))
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Review from Ron W.
Tulare, CA
7/15/2011
I have been to Alex's on two occasions, and both the food has been great. The service was very good also.
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Review from Aaron R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2007
Alex's is a great stop for a beer and some Q on the way up northish on the 101.
I stopped at the suggestion of my boss, on the way up to Mission San Miguel.
After a long ride up to Pismo, I stopped grabbed lunch, a soda and hung out at the bar with the all local crowd. Great mix of bikers, and just random bar-types hanging out having a brew at noon on a Saturday.
The Que was good, not amazing, but definitely hit the spot. I'd say stop and get a no frills lunch on your way up to San Luis Obispo or points north.
This was cool enough that I stopped back on my south. -
Review from Areena M.
Belmont, CA
1/26/2009
We stopped here for a late lunch on our recent trip to the Pismo Beach area. It's a decent place--not the best ever, but certainly not bad. Service could have been a little faster and attentive to little details, especially because there were very few people dining at the time, but our server was very nice and satisfied every request with a smile.
Hot Wings: Just ok. These were regular chicken wings doused in hot sauce; no real flavor.
Fried Chicken Platter: Huge portion (breast, drumstick, thigh, wing--literally 1/2 a chicken!). It was well prepared, though a little light on seasoning. Perfect steak fries. The coleslaw was pretty good, too. Everything tasted like homemade.
Hubby had 2 beef ribs, which he said were good, but not great (he polished them off, though, so that speaks for itself). He also had the pulled pork sandwich, which he said was pretty good.
Overall, a solid restaurant. We'll probably go back the next time we're in the area. -
Review from Khang T.
San Jose, CA
7/7/2011
Good food, great service, decent prices, and nice portions! The service was excellent and we were well attended by our waiter. I ordered the ribeye steak and I loved it! Can definitely taste the oak. My family loved their orders too (chicken, beef, and tri-tip sandwiches). Overall it was a great way to end our first night at Pismo Beach.
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Review from Jennifer E.
Clovis, CA
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Everything we ordered was delicious especially the steak lots of flavor
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Review from Timm T.
Kihei, HI
6/23/2009
Okay, so I've been driving this stretch of US 101 for like 30 years. When I drive through Shell Beach, I always roll down the windows to get whiff of oak pit BBQ. This place is like 100 feet from the southbound lanes, so you can't help but catch a hit of that great oak fire smell.
I blow into town on Monday after the two-lane, middle of nowhere, pass if you dare four hour trip from Tulare to Pismo Beach. So, I figure that I'll get a bite to eat before I check in.
Where to eat? And like a giant beacon, there's the sign right in front of me, Alex BBQ. There it is, the oak pit BBQ smell. It's a sigh from above, plus a parking space right in front.
I walk in, get the seat, and check out the menu. They might as well have a no vegetarians allowed sign out front. Even the salads (chicken fried chicken salad and tri-tip steak salad) are cholesterol heart attacks waiting to happen, Sweet, huh?
But the problem is, I'm going to my #1 in the history of everything ever in the universe Jocko's tomorrow night. 22 ounce NY Strip steak (drooling sounds). So what the h-e-double toothpicks am I doing at another BBQ place tonight?
Lots of great BBQ on the menu, and no self-respecting man-card holder would order a salad at a BBQ place. So I get BBQ chicken breast. It's okay as it is, and the BBQ is actually pretty great. But overall, ehhh, not so much.
So, check it out. Although, for me, it's not the top three of Santa Maria BBQ.
I give it three chicken breasts. -
Review from Jenny P.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
5/14/2011
I was traveling in the area and decided to stop in here for lunch. The place was empty except for two other people. I had the pulled pork sandwich-delicious! I substituted a salad for the fries, and they served the pork with a little slaw. YUM. Service was good. I asked if I could just get half a sandwich and salad, and the server said no....and then mentioned I should bring a friend next time...ha. But at least he didn't charge me for substitution charge. Would go back.
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Review from David P.
San Jose, CA
10/14/2010
TO GO REVIEW
For dinner, I had the following:
CHICKEN BREAST BBQ: First the prices are inconsistent. Both online and the menu magazine in my hotel stated a different price. Supposedly, the server stated he has been telling the webmaster to update the price because it was $5 more now. He claimed those prices were like in 2005. However the magazine was last updated this year...odd. I also notice there was confusion with other patrons with items being discontinued.
On to the food. First the vegetables were soggy and completely drenched in oil. Half of my cup of vegetables was filled with pure oil. I should have put some in my car since it was so much and I felt such a waste draining it like you do in a oil change. The toast was nice. But what was most disappointing was the chicken. It was quite dry and I didn't taste the supposedly oak flavor they use to grill their meats. The sauce I like it couldn't save the meat.
When I came, he apologized as he stated it got real busy but all I saw was 2-3 tables filled when I came. $19.95 for chicken breast? Cmon now. I'm wary to come back if I visit Pismo but I heard good reviews on their pork/chicken so we will have to see. -
Review from Gail S.
Orcutt, CA
1/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were very impressed with the service. Jennifer is awesome! I can't give five stars due to the food. Sadly, i cant say the ribs were " fallin of the bone" good. They were a little tough, but they were tasty once you got the meat off. We had to send the salmon back because it had no flavor and looked like the frozen bricks you can get at a store. Stay away from seafood at a BBQ place. We will be back only to give them another chance to redeem themselves. Jennifer tried her best by replacing the salmon with chicken breast, which were tender and yummy. She worked a double shift with a smile and awesome service! WTG Jennifer.
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Review from James A.
Huntington Beach, CA
2/20/2011
Not the best BBQ in the area, but worth trying. The service was a little slow and they were out of ribs when I visited, but that's probably a fluke.
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Review from JeFF T.
Fremont, CA
12/28/2006
What happens when 3 co-workers, sent out for day training, find out that 1 of them does not feel well to have dinner? You use their meal credit. My friend and I went to town at Alex's. It was an obscene sight...each of us ordering two dinner plates. $120 on BBQ...is it possible? Easily. I sampled their chicken, beef ribs, pork ribs, hot links, and even a steak. Finger-lickin' good stuff. Unfortunately, we had leftovers...which would have been ok, had we had a fridge at the hotel. We brought a salad back for our friend, but she didn't want it. What a waste. :P
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Review from Ismael S.
Anaheim, CA
2/3/2009
Great place!! Love the food. Service was to my satisfaction. will come here again. the pit style baby back ribs are outstanding. the coleslaw and pit beans are also a hit. If you are ever in the area it is a must to get some of this Q!
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Review from Oliver S.
Los Altos, CA
2/25/2007
The best bar in Shell Beach, which really isnt saying much, but truely a game of pool here and a few shots is well worth it!
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Review from john s.
Grover Beach, CA
2/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow everything was great
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Review from Rick B.
Woodland Hills, CA
3/23/2007
This place is definitely a throwback and like it's rival on the other side of the freeway (F. McLintocks), the food is plentiful. I had the beef ribs and I'd say they were better than average, but not fantastic. They use a little too much BBQ sauce for my taste, so be prepared to grab lots of napkins. Unlike McLintocks, you won't find people standing outside waiting and nobody is going to fill your water glass by standing on a chair and pouring while you hold your glass on your head. The service here was excellent and the little bar next door also serves the restaurant so there is a full range of adult beverages available even though they only show beer and wine on the menu. This is a solid BBQ joint that is worth trying whether you are on your way up or down the coast or just staying locally for a few days.
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Review from Scott P.
5/30/2011
Went in, drawn to the idea of BBQ and the promise of Oak pit smoked goodness, but was not terribly impressed. Everyone that worked there was running around like crazy. I felt bad for them, especially after I heard a waiter say, "I apologize," for the around the 5th time to different tables. It took quite some time to get a menu, but once I had it, I was immediately drawn to the chipotle pulled pork sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. Once the food arrived, I was surprised that the side of slaw was about 2 teaspoons and the sweet potato fries looked exactly like the ones I get from Trader Joe's. The coleslaw was nearly dry, so I added it to my sandwich just to change things up. The pulled pork sandwich was merely "assembled" and not even as good as I would do for myself at home. Like a previous yelper, I question the chipotle part of the BBQ, my sandwich did not seem to contain any of that flavor. The worst part was my server was awesome... she was super nice and did everything right; which makes me want to give Alex's more stars, but the food was so average that I can't do it. There was a really strange disconnect between the great customer service and efforts of the servers versus the average food.
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Review from X O.
Riverside, CA
2/20/2010
Yummy! Had the steak wrap and baby back ribs. The meat was tender and well flavored. A convenient spot on the way to Monterey.
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Review from Lena H.
New York, NY
5/20/2009
We stopped in for a beer on our way from Santa Barbara to Avila. I would highly recommend you do the same if you are driving that stretch of highway 101. A beer's a beer, but you can't beat this place for the crowd. One of the better day-drinking places on the Central Coast.
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Review from Mandy C.
Clovis, CA
10/15/2009
FANTASTIC food.
Husband and I came down for the day, ended up staying over night.
We wanted somewhere different to go, since normally we go to McClintock's for steak down here.
We had seen Alex's on our last trip and decided why not, try something different.
Our server was very outgoing, almost to the point of being annoying, but he kept our water glasses full and was super friendly and helpful.
Started with an order of steak fries as an appetizer. thick and crispy outside and steamy fluffy inside. yummmmmy
Husband got the special, chicken and ribs. while the ribs were not baby back they were pork, and very tender. the chicken was moist and delicious.
I got a steak. Ordered it on the rare side of medium rare. came out absolutely PERFECT. juicy meaty perfection. melted in my mouth. I could go on and on and on about how good that steak was. and it was a quality cut too, not a bit of gristle or fat on it.
I think I have a new favorite place for barbecue at the central coast, and it is Alex's. -
Review from Isaiah N.
San Luis Obispo, CA
2/6/2008
If you are looking for good BBQ from an oak pit, this is one of those places. At lunchtime, they serve primarily sandwiches and salads, and at dinner they bring out the meat entrees (and slightly costing more) and the vegetable appetizer plate. Try the St. Louis style ribs (beef or pork) or the steak if you don't know what to get on your first visit. The chicken is also good here too. It is a small location, but it shouldn't be too difficult to get a table here.
