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Armadillo Willy's BBQ
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Burgers Event Planning & Services Caterers Barbeque, Burgers, Caterers [Edit]
161 E El Camino RealSunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 245-5300
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
164 reviews for Armadillo Willy's BBQ
Review Highlights
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"The garlic fries were off the hook." In 16 reviews -
"I savored every bit of the Barbq ribs, the flavor." In 62 reviews -
"Corn bread, Texas Toast, Beans and Peanut Cole Slaw were..." In 17 reviews
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164 reviews in English
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Review from John E.
5/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I like this location the best. We come here about once a week just to get away from work and we never tire of the great food. Other reasons to like this place are the huge parking lot and the very fast and friendly staff. There can be a line out the door but you never have to wait too long and I have never been there when we couldn't get a table.
I always get the brisket sandwich and my buddies always get the tri tip. The BBQ here is f'n good and the spicy sauce is outstanding. The sides are delicious, especially the beans. I also love the ribs, which as I said in my other review are authentic. Too bad they're so messy or I'd eat them more.
I'm not a big fan of the chopped brisket. I'm sorry but it's not nearly as good as the sliced. And it's pretty greasy and messy. But that's about the only negative thing I can say about Willy's other than the fact that they don't have a stout or porter on the beer menu.
This place is good! -
Review from Pansy L.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 5/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tried this place again during the Friday early special: Buy 1 get 1 half off entree from 4-6pm.
Ribs were very tender! I think last time we might have got a bad batch since we went close to closing but boy did it taste different this time. I ordered the Chipotle-Honey ribs and my boyfriend had the ribs & chicken. The sides were good too. We got corn muffin, tater tots, garlic Parmesan fries, and beans. YUM... It was super filling and we didn't even finish all of it!
Glad, I had a chance to come here again because with the special, it was totally worth it!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/23/2011
If you're craving for American BBQ, then this is the one-stop place to go for your ribs, burgers,… Read more »
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Review from Stef S.
4/29/2012
This place is great for big groups, and the staff was nothing but friendly. The two star review is really for the food.
I love myself some good bbq but i was pretty disappointed in the food. My friend's burger was pretty average and she said it was on the charred side. The small plate of Texas ribs were not good. It was dry, pretty boney, and chewy. Sadly the tater tots were the best part.
Maybe it was just a bad night, but I wouldn't come back. It wasn't worth the prices at all. -
Review from Wendy K.
4/24/2012
When my parents were in town at the beginning of the month, my dad decided that he wanted to try out this chain BBQ joint. How did he hear about it? Radio advertising, so good job, Armadillo WIlly's!
Anyway, we went for dinner on a Friday night, and it's the type of place where you order at the counter, then grab any open table, then they buzz you and you pick up your meal. I ordered the pulled pork, sweet potato fries, and potato salad. I thought the pulled pork was decent, but it was really no comparison to some that I had in Texas in February or even at a friend's house last month. The sweet potato fries were really good, rivaling my favorite ones that I usually get at The Counter. And the potato salad had too much mayo, so was not really a fan.
Overall, the place was clean and well-lit with friendly staff. I'm not sure I'd seek out another meal here, but I'd join others if they wanted to go.Listed in: The Sunnyvale 'hood
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Review from Annie D.
4/26/2012
I'm not sure why I came here..I was in need of some meat!
We ordered the chicken and rib combo- never got to try to chicken, the buzzer went off to pick up the food and well, they ran out? They then asked if we wanted to substitute it with something else, like brisket. Well I guess so since we've been waiting for our food and already paid?? Nothing special on that dish, kinda on the dry side, ribs were okay.
Griddle burger- protein style- meat was a little on the too "char" side, nothing special.
Overall, just a fast food bbq joint I would say. Nothing was great. -
Review from Les P.
Los Gatos, CA
4/16/2012
I love this place! I had a hankering for a burger and we ended up here instead of 5 guys, which is so yummers! Hubby wanted the chopped brisket and we both were totally sated.
Their beans are really good, with hunks of sausage in them, too.
Anywhere that has sweet potato fries is a plus in my book!
There weren't terribly busy and the tables could have been cleaner so 1 star off for that but we do love a meat fest and will be back! -
Review from Chris M.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/24/2012
I love your ribs guys! I get them all the time, so juicy and tasty, and you cant beat those great fries either! cant wait to come back for your half price burger day! Keep up the great service :D!
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Review from Marcy K.
4/9/2012
Looking for something quick, low key, and decent, we decided to check out Armadillo Willy's BBQ on our recent trip to northern CA. The four of us ordered pulled pork, baby back ribs, a hamburger, and sides such as potato salad, sweet potato fries, beans, and regular fries. None of the sauces were too hot, and for the most part, everyone enjoyed his/her meal. The potato salad had too much mayo, and the hamburger was bland.
The biggest hit of the dinner was my drink: diet A&W root beer. Hadn't had one in a really long time, and apparently no one else at our table had either, since I went through about 4 refills. Yum. Some vanilla ice cream plopped into the drink would have been even more excellent.
To get your meal, you order what you want at the cashier, pay, and then wait for the buzzer to vibrate. I was surprised that at 7 or so they told a customer that they had run out of Texas ribs, which seem to be the favorite. Kinda like a bagel store running out of bagels. [I see from another review that running out of ribs is commonplace.]
Will we come back? Not likely. I don't eat pork, and I would have really liked to have a beef rib instead of my burger. -
Review from Denise M.
Santa Clara, CA
5/8/2012
I'm sorely disappointed in how Armadillo Willy's has tanked since its "upgrade". Food portions are smaller, they're using high-end cafe-style plates a la Food Network (square plates, long trays for the 6 bland onion rings in an order, cones of fries that are half the portion size as before in the big basket). You're a BBQ joint - why are you trying to go chic?
The food is okay, but the 2 star rating is purely because the prices have gone up while the portions and quality have gone down. The ribs and sausages are still good, but it's like they've decided to sacrifice quality on everything else just to make a buck. -
Review from James K.
3/24/2012
I don't know what the heck happened to this establishment. I've never had a problem with the San Jose location on Camden but this place on 2 occasions has utterly disappointed me, with tonight as I write being the second time.
Are these people simply letting old ribs sit for hours on end? Where is the freshness? On top of it, my Texas ribs were cold, dry and uneventful to say the least. I'm not exaggerating by any stretch.
I've been going to Armadillo's off and on since I was a teenager and have never had this problem at other locations including the one on Blossom Hill. I hope the other locations have not developed bad habits like this place.
My food wasn't edible; i'm not kidding. Stale, cold, gross. They should be ashamed of themselves. If the manager is reading this, if you continue to serve the heap of crap you served me tonight, your business will go down and I honestly will not lose sleep over it. Step your game up. -
Review from Robin G.
San Mateo, CA
5/11/2012
I don't eat pork because it reminds me of my last boyfriend. Over the years, the quality and quantity has gone way down. I can make the same slop at home and enjoy it a lot more.
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Review from J Q.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/20/2012
I ordered a santa maria trip-tip steak sandwich to go. They forgot the salsa and they ran out of garlic bread. Now it's just tasteless dry steak on a bun. I should have double checked before I left.
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Review from Tim Y.
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ok. Half price burger on Saturday. My order was missed by the cooks. After 25 min of waiting I went to check. It turns out my order tag was overlooked... The manager gave me money back. The fries and tots really good here. The burgers are just OK. I do like their ribs and chicken. I'm surprised at how moist the bbq chicken was.
I'll be back for sure..this is a great place for large groups and for kids... -
Review from William R.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/1/2012
Pretty mediocre at this location, I much prefer the AW on De Anza.
I had the bacon burger and fries. Fries were still dripping in grease, meaning their temperature settings weren't up to par. There was even an uncooked fry that must have come from another hopper.
The burger was over cooked. I don't mind a well done burger, but if you're going to ask me how I want it done, you should shoot for that. The bun was...disappointing, there not much more to say. The burger was laden with mustard. -
Review from Dave B.
San Jose, CA
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really like the that Armadillo Willy's is trying to freshen their look and menu. They still have great food at a great price, but are taking more effort towards their presentation.
I was impressed to have the manager walk around and ask people how their food was. I wouldn't expect that kind of attention to detail at a counter service type of restaurant. -
Review from Greg L.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/11/2012
Came here on a Sunday at 2pm and they RAN OUT of Texas Ribs already! C'MON MAN!!!
If they ran out of Texas Ribs at 2pm, what are they going to do for dinner service? They still had baby backs available, but I always go for the meatier Texas style, which I think is better bang for your buck in terms of ribs.
On their menu, they do give warning that they "will occasionally sell out" due to the smoking time of bbq, but I still think it's inexcusable to run out on a 2pm Sunday.
I have had some good meals several years ago at this Armadillo Willy's, but this definitely soured my opinion of them. Luckily there's a Cupertino location that still had Texas Ribs, so my rib craving was ultimately satiated. -
Review from Matt V.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/2/2012
I've been to this and other Armadillo Willy's locations many times; never by my choice, mind you, but I have been to these many times. I've also sampled many items on their menus, from the brisket to the ribs to the pulled pork.
Unfortunately, there's really not much I can say in favor of the food here.
The ambiance is simple, nothing special here, just the sort of ambiance you'd expect from a BBQ restaurant.
The service is always very pleasant; you start by ordering at the counter, and the folks I've encountered there have always been friendly and helpful.
Food is prepared quickly, but unfortunately, there's really nothing to talk about here. I agree with the Yelper who said that it tastes as though it's been cooked for 18 weeks, not 18 hours, and that at the end of it, you're left with some very dry meat. The BBQ sauce itself is pretty drab, no spiciness to it to bring out flavor in the meats.
It's really pretty unfortunate because the Bay Area is so starved for a good, authentic BBQ restaurant. That said, I find Armadillo Willy's to be neither good nor authentic.
I really wanted to like it, but honestly, it fell pretty short of the mark. -
Review from Ronny D.
2/6/2012
Decent food at a decent price.
Nothing on the menu blew me out of the water, but nothing really disappointed me.
Pretty good ribs. Pretty good tri tip.
Definitely a good BBQ chain. -
Review from Gary M.
Los Altos, CA
3/29/2012
Brought the family there tonight for dinner. We were greeted friendly by the manager(Travis). We placed our order and it was up in about 5 min. Tri tip was perfect, burger was juicy , onion rings were large but a little under cooked. My turkey/avocado was sandwich was a great choice. I will be going back again. I do miss the milkshakes!!!!!!
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Review from James W.
Los Altos, CA
2/29/2012
I love the pulled pork!! The service was great, I liked the way they checked that my to go order was correct. I would reccomend the food to anyone. I liked the overall western decor.
JW -
Review from Sean T.
Compton, CA
5/11/2012
Food comes fast and they have daily deals for lunch which is always a bonus. Burgers are fresh, ingredients are fresh and the taste blasts out from the burgers. I have had all the sides and I can say each can stand on its own in taste. Would I come back to visit? Yes. Have I come back to this location to eat with my family? Yes. I would say this is my favorite location but then again I have only been to this location, San Jose and Dublin.
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Review from Chanté C.
San Jose, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
No more chicken sandwiches?! Sooo lame!
This placed has changed a little too much for me. I can only comment on the chicken sandwiches but they used to be so great. Now, they no longer serve them. Because of that I ordered the mushroom sandwich. These guys obviously don't know what they're doing on the grill with it. The shroom was burnt on the sides and my stomach hasn't stopped turning four hours later. And why the hell would you pay the same price for a freaking mushroom cap as you would a burger with bacon? $6.75 and that shit wasn't even magical! Good thing Saturday had a buy one get one happy hour. -
Review from Glenn S.
Palo Alto, CA
2/7/2012
Great place for a burger! Very family friendly and the manager (Bill) really get to know the regulars. I really appreciate the food quality and the exceptional customer service. The new menu and the updated/non roadhouse make over is very welcoming and refreshing.
As a parent of young children I appreciate the consistency of the food quality between all of their restaurants.. -
Review from Nancy N.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why is this place "award winning?" Or at least their ribs are supposed to be?!
I love bbq and was craving it one night, so I whipped out my Yelp app and looked up a bbq joint. Armadillo Willy's was the only place still open so my bf and I headed there. We tried the "award winning" ribs and added an additional side of baby back ribs to it for $5 more. Both sucked! The meat is not only dry because of a lack of sauce, it's also dry because of a lack of moisture. Many pieces had a jerky-like consistency! :(
The staff was nice though and very patient in describing all the different food options. The corn muffin with cinnamon-y dipping sauce was also good. But those 2 things are not enough to get me to come back here. -
Review from Jose M.
Emeryville, CA
9/23/2011
Tuesday and Thursday's, BBQ tri-tip. -mmmm If your a red meat eater, please try their tri-tip on Tuesday or Thursday. Awesomely great with great service!!
5 stars -
Review from Ginger E.
Santa Clara, CA
Updated - 3/10/2012
We went back to AW last week for the half price burgers. Well, they changed their menu. While my "50's diner burger" is not on the menu, I was able to order a cheese burger with a side of 1000 island so it was workable and the burger was still delicious. I was more disappointed they no longer serve milkshakes. Boo!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/8/2011
My husband and I like to frequent St. Johns on Saturday for half price burgers. We tried to go… Read more »
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Review from Jesse C.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/2/2012
Brisket sandwiches amazing, customer service world class, garlic parmasean fries wow two thumbs-up. I'll be back tomorrow
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Review from nina m.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/30/2011
Armadillo Willy's BBQ is OK place.
I love the brisket and the habanero wings
When I crave American BBQ I always come to Armadillo Willy's BBQ. -
Review from Marie S.
8/22/2011
I tried the Original Ribs, Garlic Fries and their pulled pork sandwhich with the spicy bbq sauce. Maybe we caught Amradillo Willy's on an off day, but the fries were mega garlicky (which was a plus) but tasted pretty stale. I think I've had better tasting fries at burger king.
The pulled pork sandwich was dry and hardly had any bbq sauce on it...
and the ribs that everyone raves about were just OK. They weren't tough or sinewy, but they really had to be DUNKED in bbq sauce to taste like anything worthwhile. They were very dry.
Pretty disappointing. -
Review from Thao N.
I LOVE coming here on a Saturday!
You can't beat half off burgers on a Saturday for dine in customers. I usually get the smoke roasted turkey burger. At first, I thought I would be getting a turkey burger patty, but they actually put slices of turkey.
You have to try their french fries. A small order of their fresh-cut french fries can be shared between two individuals. I enjoy dipping it in their mild BBQ sauce.
The other day, I made a large phone order and it was made within 15 minutes. FYI, on Tuesdays, they make thee best tri-tip sandwiches for $5.95. You'll have to give it a try one of these days. -
Review from Laura M.
Fremont, CA
10/23/2011
Came here with my family tonight after not being here for a while since we no longer live in Sunnyvale. When we walked in I noticed the decor had changed which is okay since I suppose a little updating is a good thing. We ordered our food..I got a boring cheese burger with onion rings, my hubby got some ribs, kids got ribs and cheeseburgers.
We get up to pick up our food and they are on these fancy looking plates like you get at a 5 star restaurant not a barbeque place. They are plastic so though they look fancy they really they aren't (think cheap). Carried them hoping the food didn't slide off and placed it in front of my daughter who quickly said "where's the basket?" I had to chuckle when I saw my onion rings were lined up on a plate like it was sushi except they were slipping and sliding and I almost lost them.
The buns looked fancy and they were good and overall my boring cheeseburger was delicious but I wished I had not ordered the fancy looking but tasteless onion rings. Those were burnt and left a horrible taste in my mouth. Hubby's ribs were cold but he ate them anyway and on his fancy plastic white square plate he had a paper cup of beans which made us laugh some more.
The only positive thing I can say is it was nice having a napkin dispenser instead of the paper towels. That was the only change they needed on the presentations and decor.
Not sure if we will ever come out of our way to come here again. It smelled like my grandparents house after their fireplace had been burning all day and quite honestly I can't stop laughing at how stupid the white square plates were and how they tried to make the onion rings look fancy. It really distracted us from the food and that wasn't that great. Noticed five guys opened up down the street so next time I'm in Sunnyvale and want a burger I'll go there. Kinda wish Armadillo Willies stuck with their roots and not try to become foo foo fancy with the dishes. Seriously I'm still laughing about that! -
Review from April B.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/13/2011
The meat is dry. I love ribs but do not like the ribs here. The soda is watered down. I do like that you can get tater tots as a side. All in all very pricey for what you get. The atmosphere is nice and clean. The employees are also very nice.
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Review from hen a.
little thursday drizzles...wet and cool...comfort in meat and beers...baby back rib platter with two cornbreads...a tri-tip salad tossed in balsamic vinegar...pitcher of sierra nevada...balanced meal for two...paid at the counter....change over $forty in exchange for a plastic device...beer delivered to the table...awaiting buzzing and lighting...a signal that food is ready...small platter of ribs...extra sauce available at the pump...finding the ribs too dry this evening...warmed too long?...armadillo willy's lacking in consistency from past experiences...mention that the cornbread is one of the best had...warm, moist and perfect...thin clean slicing of tri-tip over a simple tossed salad...thin flavorless beef chew...wanting warmed fresh cooked tri-trip for better experience...gulp of beer and some meat...mission accomplished..
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Review from Melody C.
San Jose, CA
6/19/2011
This was Mike's father's day weekend, so to start his saturday we went to Los Gatos Nicks on Main and Fleur de Coco in Los Gatos.
We followed it with a 20.00 foot massage at a foot spa, and then I took Mike to his favorite bbq place Armadillo Willy's
It was bordering on 9:15 so I opted to take him here for some ribs and brisket. The meat was tender, flavorful, sweet and moist all at the same time. I got the tri tip salad with extra onions and dressing on the side.
They were very friendly and wished him a happy father's day. That made me very happy because today is Mike's special day and I wanted him to feel loved and special. -
Review from Samantha C.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 12/3/2011
Just a quick update. My employer had these guys come out with their truck and out of the Chicken, Brisket, and Veggie patty selections, I tried the Veggie patty just out of curiosity to see how this "meat" place did on veggie stuff. Wrong choice! but at least I know for the future. I don't think it's on their regular menu, but the veggie patty was too dry. Even the Morning Star frozen veggie patty at markets are way better. Anyways, vegetarians should stick with the portobello mushroom burger (that IS on the menu). Their potato salad was good, but still not nearly better than their fries!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/18/2011
Came here for the first time for lunch and was not disappointed. Got the 3 sliders with side of… Read more »
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Review from kien m.
4/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I must admit, the new Armadillo Willy's is better after they change their decor and menu.
I love the 18-hour beef brisket. It comes in a nicely toasted bun and the brisket is juicy. If you are lucky, you might get some burnt ends.
Garlic fries are cooked right. I can't say the same for their old business model because they use to serve a bunch of over-fried fries that is hard as a brick. -
Review from Richard F.
San Jose, CA
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think I have been a fan of this place ever since I first found one at least 10 years back. The prices are a bit on the pricey side, but their food has never been a let down. EVER.
On my most recent visit, I was feel very gluttonous and got a brisket sandwich on Texas toast, sweet potato fries, and a chocolate shake. About $14, but very satisfying!
In the times that I have eaten at the restaurant (I did to go this time), the staff has been friendly, and the efficiency and wait time is very bearable. Not to mention very well decorated! -
Review from Melissa B.
San Jose, CA
1/26/2012
I have been going to Armadillo Willy's in Sunnyvale for about 5 years, and am amazed at the consistency of the food, service, and cleanliness. My family is full of meat-eaters, and they make it a point to vist AW's at least once a week, but I lean more toward vegetarianism, and enjoy their creative salads (the Carolina Pork Salad is to die for!)., fresh-made onion rings, corn muffins, and corn salad, and Turkey-Avocado sandwich. The atmosphere and food is down-home comfy. The prices are right. What's not to love?
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Review from Carolyn C.
Mountain View, CA
3/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I prefer this location over Mountain View - little bit more open but I honestly think the food is better at this location. Easy in, easy out, stick to the classic menu items and their specialties such as the pulled pork or ribs and you will enjoy. I like the atmosphere for my kids as we can be a bit louder if we have to be that day and most of the tv's are placed where we can enjoy our sports - we are usually making a pit stop at sports authority quite often and just walk over here if we are in the need of lunch or an early dinner.
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Review from Ernesto G.
Santa Clara, CA
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to two other Will'ys in the South Bay, and this one is my favorite.
I'll be Short and sweet since one main quality make this spot a step above the rest.
The management here is awesome. They walk around and genuniely care about your experience, and want to know how the meal was. At first I didn't care too much that somebody was interrupting my meal, but in comparison to the other spots this location is the only one that did it. That one little quality about an establishment makes all the difference.
Good spot, and I will continue to return to get my brisket fix.
