Armadillo Willy's BBQ
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
127 reviews
San Jose, CA
"ABSOLUTELY love this place. I'm a sucker for spicy food and their Nuclear sauce on the chicken wing (I'm not a big fan of white meat on…" read more »
47 Reviews for Armadillo Willy's BBQ
Kind of a backyard-BBQ-ish theme. Tacky decor everywhere. Roll of paper towels on each table is a humorous/appropriate/sad touch. Food is meaty (surprise!) and decent.
I have to agree with Zeke S. Where do they put the sauce on the meat? Now, 4 -5 bones of ribs for a dinner just doesn't get it for me for the price. Definitely no leftovers there. Now, don't get me wrong, they are tasty, but dang. Now, I'm from Chicago and when you go to a rib joint back there, they really handle it.
I haven't had anything here that is really bad and I have visited the one here and in Palo Alto/Los Altos.
So for a good meal, check it out, just don't come with a hefty appetite. If you do have a hefty appetite, make sure to bring some cash so you can double your trouble.
I admit, right off the top, I like my BBQ sopping wet, gloppy, sweet and spicy. Its how I was raised its who I am... But I can appreciate a good piece of slow cooked smokey meat. And when I go out to a place like this I am always going to order the slow cooked hunk of pig because its not something I usually have time to make at home.
Here the pulled pork sandwich was pretty plain, okay smokiness I guess, but nothing special. The sauce they have is not worth the water they make it from. And the potato salad was flat out nasty...
The only reason to go is because there is just not that much BBQ here in the south bay :(
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As far as fast BBQ goes, this place is pretty good. Growing up with two parents from North Carolina, I know what real BBQ is supposed to taste like. I was surprised that Armadillo Willy's managed to pull off decent BBQ in a pseudo fast food environment.
I would always order the 2-item combo which consists of Texas style pork ribs and beef brisket with mild sauce (yeah, I'm a sissy when it comes to spicy stuff!) The sides I would always get were the rice and the peanut cole slaw (the best cole slaw I ever have). Depending how busy it gets, I get my order in like 5-8 minutes.
Each table has a roll of paper towels with hot and mild BBQ sauce
The plates come with a side of BBQ sauce, which ought to be a larger portion. The ribs are very tender and the meat falls out of the bone, which is the way I like my ribs. The beef is OK. Sauce is good. As I mention before, the peanut slaw is like out of this world! The rice can do some improvement.
This is the only restaurant chain that I know off that serves Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi, which is my all-time favorite cola soft drink.
I usually go here when I have a craving for texas style baby back ribs. You could either do a sit down or takeout. The wait is about 10 minutes for your food be ready, there's plenty of tables and you could kill time by watching espn sports on one of their old school tv's. I've been to all of their locations: los altos, sunnyvale, and foster city.
I had pulled pork here and their strawberry shake. It would be tastier if it was more tender, flavored more, and not so dry. The thing that bothers me is the day that we came, the BBQ was smoking outside and came into the restaurant, leaving this haze in the air. Not really ideal for people sensitive to smoke.
TRI TIP TUESDAYS!!!!
I only go here on tuesday for the tri tip. Drench that in their jalepeno bbq sauce and you have heaven in a bun!!! The place gets a little crowded during lunch time, but the line moves really fast and service is always with a smile!!
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First, the good: the food came out quickly. the fries and potato salad were pretty tasty. The strawberry shake was pretty good, although small. (good for the price of $1.75, wednesday is 1/2 price milkshake day)
The memphis style pork was pretty alright, but without a decent sauce, fergit it. It was tender and reasonably juicy, though.
Now, the bad: I've never had dryer beef brisket in my life. I thought that the brisket tasted like it'd been dried for 18 weeks, not 18 hours. It had zero smoky flavor, just all sorts of tough sponge.
The ribs were alright, but costco's $7.99 full rack is league's better. These were greasy and, again, had zero smoky flavor, and were inexplicably dry at the same time they were greasy.
It's sad because they advertise themselves as real Texas BBQ. What you'll find in texas is spicy and not sweet sauces with a heavy smoked flavor, really tender and juicy meat, and huge quantities for cheap. The sauce Armadillo Willy's uses is sweet and tangy, which is great for sweet and sour chicken but not for bbq. Their spicy was just spicy with no flavors. The mustard bbq sauce was a sad combination of things that should never be let near a bottle labeled BBQ sauce.
The worst thing about it was that there were all these pictures of smokers, etc outside and inside. I should have known by the lack of a smoky smell. The defining quality of Texas BBQ is smoke flavor, and this place lacked it in a big way. I'll never go back. I've had tastier and juicier beef jerky.
Plus, they forgot my milkshake and made my friend's milkshake with waaaaaaaaaay too much coffee "flavor" which didn't taste like coffee, so much as coffee flavored syrup, just way too much.
When i use to work out in sunnyvale the doctors, nurses and myself we would eat here for lunch. OMG. their ribs and potato salad is so good. If i am not up to the bbq ribs then i get a mushroom, jalepeno burger w/ jack cheese...yum...and of course you can't forget the garlic fries. OMG so delicious :). Once in awhile when i make a trip to sunnyvale i make sure to go by there for lunch rather then hitting another bbq spot....love it!
This is NOT BBQ! My step-dad used to work at a Texas style BBQ joint so I know my pulled pork and brisket.
I had the Memphis style pulled pork which was bland and almost water like. I thought I cold throw some of their Jalapeno BBQ sauce to make it better. Bad idea... The BBQ sauce was watery and was not even spicy. I liked the Texas toast though.
My GF has the brisket which was dry and had no taste what so ever. Her corn bread muffin tasted like Play-doe, not that i know what Play-doe taste like, but it probably tasted like the muffin.
Only reason this place got another star is they had Fat Tire beer on tap, service was friendly, and the food came out fast. You would have to knock me out with one of their briskets to make me go here again.
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Been to this place 2x, once here, and once in Palo Alto. First time we got pulled pork and salad with chicken, was good, nothing outstanding, but ok. Second time was pork ribs - awful. Ok atmosphere and service was very friendly, just don't expect drop-dead, good bbq.
I really like this place. It makes me happy when I am thinking about ribs. I usually call in an order and bring it home. The people are nice, and you usually get your food pretty fast. Depending on what you get the food is pretty good. The tri tip sandwiches are a little dry, but not bad, you just need to add some condiments. The ribs are usually great. I have only had one experience where they were a little more dry than I like, but I get food from here pretty often, and that is not the norm. The garlic fries are good when they are fresh, and their other sides are pretty good too. A fun place to go if you just want to be laid back and enjoy a good meal.
Willy's used to be a great chain-bbq spot. Recently the food quality AND quantity has gone down quite a bit while the prices have stayed the same. I do not recommend it much anymore.
My all time favorite! The food is fantastic - and vegetarians, don't turn away just because the the restaurant has BBQ in its title. They have fantastic veggie burgers , I really recommend getting the Mushroom Cheese Burger with the veggie pattie! The bbq chicken is mouthwatering, the salad and Onion rings are great too!
The actual restaurant is really cool inside too. It really feels like your in some Texan themed restaurant in Disneyland. Enjoy!!!!
Good ribs and good customer service. Was looking to get a rib platter for a BBQ and the guys here (esp a mgr named John I think) were really helpful in answering my questions, providing me recommendations, and showing flexibility to meet my slightly early Sunday pickup time.
The wet ribs are pretty good and stay moister than the regular ribs. I prefer the wet ribs much more than the regular. The buffalo chicken strips were alright but nothing to get excited about.
Bottom line: Can't say that they are the best ribs in Silicon Valley, but ribs that made everyone satisfied at the BBQ. And definitely a very convenient and service-oriented location. RIbs 3.5 stars. Service 4.5 stars. Overall 4.0 stars.
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I'm not a big fan of BBQ, so when I go here, I usually have a burger or the chicken sandwich which are both good. What I really like are the spicy peanut slaw and their fries. The fries are soooo yummy here. Other than that, I can't really speak for their BBQ.
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I lived in Texas for 3 years, so I know what good BBQ tastes like. This place is so so... I got the chopped chicken, and it was a good portion for me. A little too saucy if you ask me, but juicy. The beans and bread are good, as is the potato salad. Like someone else mentioned...it's a good spot if you are craving BBQ and can't find anything else. I mean, it's a chain...so you know what to expect. For its genre and style of food, I give it a 3.
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I HATE THIS PLACE! I hate the food there is nothing good about it. My family has come here many times and now I refuse to eat here. Nasty!
Armadillo Willy's is decent. Nothing here ever stands out to for me. The sandwiches are okay, not bad, not great, just okay. Ribs aren't super tender. The garlic fries I had too much garlic. (My favorite place for garlic fries is still Gordon Biersch) .
My coworker refuses to ever go back after he and an incident with moldy bread. He went back to the complain about the mold and they tried to convince him that it was char marks. Personally.. I think he's cursed. He's always the one that's find bugs / hair his food where ever we go.
My friends and I really wanted BBQ and came here the other day... BAD choice! I had the ribs and they were WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overcooked, soooooo dry... but apparently it's a popular place because tons of people were there, nearly every table was taken. Go if there's no other BBQ place to go to.
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Nothing bad can be said about a place that serves dead cow. Willy's is great for it's portions, variety, and extra sauce. My only complaint are the prices. Without a coupon it's hard to get out of there without spending $15, which is a lot for lunch. Overall, Willy's is doing a good service as there are just not enough bbq places in this area. Maybe if there were the prices would be lower.
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Willy's is alright for bbq. Not the best, not the worst. Good for a quick bbq fix given that there are not too many places for it out here. Their fries are great, especially with the parmesean & garlic.
Recommended:
Beef Brisket Sandwich w/ BBQ sauce
BBQ Bacon Burger ( messy and artery clogging goodness)
Not Recommended:
Ribs (Dry and Tough, flavorless)
Cole Slaw (runny and watery)
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Great for big groups! I wanted to thank my team for working their asses off so I decided to order a big 'ol bbq lunch for them. We always like to order from this location.
I got 2 of each rib rack and they were VERY good. Everyone had seconds! (Texas ribs, baby back and wet ribs) There was enough meat on each rib when you took a bite. I like that! Non of that bone sucking!
Corn bread, Texas Toast, Beans and Peanut Cole Slaw were yummy!
I also ordered chicken which I didn't try but I'm sure it was good. The bbq sauce here is tasty!
I ordered food for about 15ppl and it was just under $200. If you ever have a big group to feed and want something delicious and filling try Armadillo Willy's!
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Barbecue in the Bay Area is never as good as what you can get in Texas for half the price. Even so, Armadillo Willy's is the best local option for cheap, especially now that Austin's BBQ is gone.
Highlights:
-Counter service (No tipping! there's $2 I get to keep!)
-Sandwiches are good but not amazing (GBNA). The sauce is good, the meat had fat on the edges (though less so than other Armadillo Willy's) so I did some necessary "surgery." But it's missing a certain "wow" factor.
-Texas-sized cookie pie is huge and good but really not needed after a filling meal.
-This location is really attuned to customer service and the tables are kept clean - even during the Lunch Rush.
Lowlights:
Raspberry lemonade tastes artificial and awful.
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I always associated Armadillo Willy's with that roastbeef sandwich chain...Arby's. Was I surprised when I finally entered an Armadillo's! Great chopped BBQ brisket and pulled pork. I love sauce, so I doused the meat with their BBQ sauce. Pretty good I say. Service was fast, food good. Don't mind if I do.
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This Armadillo Willy's location uses counter service instead of a service staff, which makes it a kind of sit-down fast-food place. There are some nights when I just don't want to have to wait around for waiters to pay attention to me -- on those nights, I'm more than happy to get my own food when the buzzer goes off, and to refill my own drink exactly when I feel like it.
I know their main focus is barbecue, but I actually go here more often for burgers, which are thick, and way better than fast food versions. Sometimes the grill chef can get a bit heavy-handed with the burger seasoning (salt city!), but that's intermittent.
Tip: You can get a side of fries with your burger instead of one of the standard sides (beans, slaw, rice, corn muffin, Texas toast) for a buck or so more. Saves you having to get the ginormous basket of fries for just one or two people.
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Armadillo Willy's :
Good BBQ, sorry I did not write much. I'm hungry as hell and I just got into work.
This place is ok if you need a BBQ fix and can't find anything else. Brisket , pork roast, toast and cornbread are a good way to fill the craving. This location is weird where you order at the counter and they give you a buzzing coaster to tell you your order's ready. Kind of like a big BBQ cafeteria or something. Again nothing special but not bad either.
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I really like this location of A. Willy's! If you like tri-tip, then you should plan to go on Tuesday ("Tri-Tip Tuesday") and order either the Tri-Tip platter or sandwich, served with salsa instead of BBQ sauce (although you can have BBQ sauce if you wish). My partner is crazy about it. He substitutes a different side dish for the Texas Toast (they don't mind or charge extra) -- if it's Tuesday and he suggests going out to dinner, this is where he wants to go!
I usually get one of these sandwiches -- sliced brisket, pork shoulder (served as pulled pork), or chopped brisket -- and I ask for a large serving of mild sauce. The sauce you get from the cooks is far better than the sauce on the table, so request plenty when you order if you like BBQ sauce. The bottles of their sauce on the tables are more consistent but leave me flat.
If you are a AAA (auto club) member, show your card for 10% savings!
Good bbq ribs, moist, good sauce. Sandwich is pretty decent, but salty. The beans is tasty, good cole slaw, flavorful garlic fries but artery clogging oily. Armadillo Willy's usually has coupon, otherwise it's a bit pricy. Tony Romas is another option.
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We have always found Armadillo Willy's to have excellent BBQ. The wet ribs are thick and meaty, the brisket is tender & juicy, and the service is always good. The jambalaya rice is flavorful but not too spicy, the salads always taste fresh. The fresh corn bread muffins are fantastic when covered in butter and honey.
Armadillo Willy's has always lived up to my expectations. Oh, and yes, I have been to Austin TX and hit up every BBQ joint we could. Only Rudy's BBQ came close.
Not bad, not bad at all for a chain !
I savored every bit of the Barbq ribs, the flavor .. the texture .. hmmm... with the ribs I usually go for the jambalaya rice, served in a small cup... equally rich and tasty, a perfect side order along with the ribs. On one occassion, a colleague ordered the garlic fries to share, hmm, perfectly fried, very caloric.
The second time around I tried their cheeseburger with mushrooms, I loved the right-sized burger, the fresh veggie and flavorful mushrooms...
I shall return, most definitely - when in the Valley and craving for ribs! Yeah, the Valley, which unfortunately, this geek cannot escape from, (geekdom, that is.)
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This place was a favorite of mine when I was working in Santa Clara. The sliced brisket was fantastic. Sometimes you'd get a piece with fat on it... mmm smoked fat. The meat is tender and flavorful, smoked for hours in their woodfired bbq. Add to that their large variety of bbq sauces and you have a winner. It's been a couple years since I've had the chance to go back but the craving strikes me even now.
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Chain BBQ restaurant. Overall, not too bad for a family dinner with the kids. The portions are smallish for the price. The ribs are flavorful, but not meaty enough. You basically pick up your own order from the counter when it's ready, so there is no service to speak of.
The chicken is quite good, moist and tender. There are better places to go in the Bay Area for really good BBQ, but if you have kids and want to get decent "Q" at a place where they can be loud, check out Armadillo Willy's.
3.5 Stars. In my effort to catalog all the BBQ places in the bay area I decided to go back here and eat. Sure, I have been here before over the years. But not since I joined Yelp.
I got the 2 way combo of Wet ribs and brisket. ($ 17.54 with soda) I got hot sauce on the side. Spicy peanut slaw and chili beans as sides. Also a piece of Texas toast- Toasted garlic white bread.
In all the times I have been here in the past, I had never tried the wet ribs. I liked them..Nice and moist and fall off the bone tender. The brisket was good, not dried out but close to being so, with a faint smoke ring to let me know it was smoke cooked. Not overly smoky in flavor, so I think most people would like them. Sliced in 1/4 inch thick slices. The brisket was easily cut with the side of a fork.
I have always liked the peanut slaw. The beans were average but had meat in them, unlike some other places I have posted about. If you have never been to an Armadillo Willy's this is a good place to take kids. I do not care so much for the BBQ sauce, but at least it is consistent at the other restaurants that are part of the chain.
I went on a Monday night. I found out after ordering my meal that for a limited time, they have all you can eat St. Louis style spare ribs on Monday nights. A nice lady at the table snuck one too me even though it said no sharing on the table card. I was disappointed as the meat was tough and chewy, nothing like the very tender wet ribs. I talked to a guy who worked there and he said they are smoke cooked also, but I think they are grilled...Still if you have good teeth and an appetite it may be the way to go. But I will bet you will be better off with less meat that is nice and tender, as my 2 way combo came, with only 3 ribs, and about 6 Ounces of brisket. I do not have to tell you what the Doctor will tell you about all you can eat ribs......
Update: 7-23-2007. Screw the Doctors...I went on a Monday and had the all you can eat Texas style ribs....~ $ 17.00 with Soda. They were Good. Not as tender as the fall off the bone slow smoked, but the ones I had were nice and lean and still juicy and tender, easy to eat the meat off the bone. "Props to the cooks at Sunnyvale". I did not over do it though, just in case my Doctor reads my posts. I think I had about 12 of them.
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I enjoy the ribs! I even like the beans!
This is your typical chain BBQ place. It was just alright. Everything just seemed so generic tasting; nothing stood out. Texas toast was blah. The corn muffin was alright. The ribs were dry. My coworker really likes the brisket but I thought it was alright. The garlic fries were good but super oily. Jambalya was alright. It was trip tip Tuesday - maybe I should have ordered that because everyone else was.
I've always liked Armadillo Willy's and I think the casual dining experience is part of the whole atmosphere. Ribs isn't the kind of thing you get at a restaurant with service, ribs is what you get when you just wanna grab your food and not be bothered to have to talk to anyone and be asked how your meal was and all. Just make sure nothing pesters you while you eats.
Their fries are so good. Crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. Mmmmm my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Plus they're always hot which is a plus, and perfectly seasoned. I don't remember anything else because the fries fill my head 100% with happy thoughts leaving no room to remember anything else. But I do know that I have never had anything that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Get the fries. Order a basket of fries with whatever you pick. Did I mention how good their fries are? They're really good.
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