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Armadillo Willys - CLOSED
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Armadillo Willys
Review Highlights
-
"make sure you get any extra sauces you might need (more bbq." In 8 reviews -
"Delicious Corn Salad." In 3 reviews -
"The cornbread is sweet and the brisket is moist." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Travis I.
2/5/2010
Tournament-worthy BBQ? No. But will it do, in a pinch? You bet your sweet bippy.
So, if the 'que ain't that great, why am I a fan? It all comes down to: All-You-Can-Eat Rib Night. Baby backs... add your own sauce. You can literally sit down and eat as many of these bad boys as you can, for something like $12- 14. It comes with two sides, and their Texas toast is pretty sweet.
My friend and I went in there, late one night. We were on our sixth helping of ribs, when we heard some dude ordering at the register say, "What do you mean you're all out of ribs?!?" The cashier just looked over, and pointed at us. I thought the unhappy customer was gonna saddle over and strangle me, right then and there. Instead, he stormed out, leaving me and my guilt alone.
Works like this: Order the AYCE Ribs. First, they'll give you four or five. If you want more, they give them to ya two or three at a time, from there out. But, worry not, you can keep going, well... until they run out.
Cheesy but fun interior. Kinda like the BBQ version of Islands. You know, lotsa rope, red-n-white plaid patterns, wood and corrugated metal. And, of course, a whole roll of paper towels on the table, alongside their original and spicy BBQ sauces.
This place is far from award winning BBQ, but for AYCE rib night... I'm a HUGE fan.Listed in: Tasty Value Vittles
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Review from Jade N.
Campbell, CA
12/2/2009
CRAP bbq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY did I put myself through the torture? I was desperate, that's why. Didn't have enough time for a real sit down restaurant, wasn't going to eat McD or BK although after I got food poisoning...I think the other 2 options would've been a better choice. Then I discover WF market after my fiasco.
Your best option at Armadillo Willys??? WHOLE FOODS MARKET just down the street. Don't walk, RUN. RUN, RUN, RUN! -
Review from Carl S.
Glendale, CA
9/21/2006
I was ecstatic when this location opened in Santa Cruz. I frequented the Campbell location when I lived in the valley, and missed it when I moved to Santa Cruz.
The service is a little more fast food like at this location, but the food is just as good. It's a great place to end a motorcycle ride for lunch. -
Review from Jowin C.
2/26/2008
-clean place
-reasonable price, you can get a meal under $8
-good ribs
-if you can, ask for more barbecue sauce!
-My favorite is their SMOKE TURKEY AND AVOCADO STACK sandwich
-Delicious Corn Salad! -
Review from ExtraAnejo T.
Santa Cruz, CA
4/4/2010
Was a good option to have in Santa Cruz. Not the greatest, but consistently tasty.
Unfortunately, this location is now closed, soon to become a Pizza My Heart. -
Review from Christopher C.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2007
When I was going to school in Santa Cruz, this was one of places my friends and I would frequent. They have some amazing food and the extras that came with the food were really good. On top of that they have a really good soda fountain system and I like the way they alert you that your food is done with the square that vibrates and has lights. Not bad at all for a place that is supposed to be all about bbq.
They even have a vegetarian option which I did not expect from a place that is supposed to serve barbecue. My friend ordered the western a good deal of time and it turned out great. -
Review from Claire M.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/13/2008
Again, being from Texas, we are always on the look out for horribly bad-for-you food that reminds us of home. The meat here is great, according to my husband. He loves the Texas-style ribs and BBQ chicken. I have had the chicken and agree it is good and very smokey tasting. Yum.
The only thing is that with the whole claim to being "authentic Texas BBQ," the sides are totally not Texan. In TX, with BBQ, you often get mashed potatoes, fried okra, or mac & cheese (deliciously homemade and creamy - not from a box!) - something much more dangerous than pinto beans or cole slaw. Boring!
Otherwise, it's clean, the service is good enough, and we return regularly, so Willy's definitely has its strong points. -
Review from Meno G.
Los Gatos, CA
5/3/2009
This place is really good. Me and my girlfriend tend to frequent here at least 2x per month. We love getting the burgers for half price on Saturday afternoons and with the complimentary appetizer coupon we get for being in the Willies E-Club, we always get a free garlic fries. This ends up being way too much food for us and we get to take some home, all for about $15. This place introduced me to good BBQ near Santa Cruz for a cheap price. Also, the new Parisian burger is awesome, I'd rate that a 5/5. Service is quick and if the owners get to know you can be really nice and recognize you whenever you come there and are all around friendly. Good place for a bite to eat.
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Review from Rachel S.
2/7/2009
Good! Used to frequent this place every time my family went to Big Basin. We used to end up going there because BBQ is very limited in the East Bay that is edible. An Armadillo Willy's opened up in Dublin but it's not that great.
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Review from Dan Y.
Santa Rosa, CA
10/4/2009
Not bad, but certainly not worth a repeat visit. Chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket all dry and flavorless, although the sauce was good. Ribs were OK. Sides were a mixed bag: corn salad and green salad were good, the chili and potato salad below average. Service was fast but not very friendly. Atmosphere more like a Burger King in a bad neighborhood than a family-oriented BBQ joint. I've eaten at other locations and enjoyed the food and the atmosphere - maybe I just caught the Capitola restaurant on a bad night.
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Review from Laura D.
San Jose, CA
8/18/2010
We always enjoyed eating here! I am so sad to hear that it closed. :(
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Review from Susan E.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/5/2008
well you can get some deals here. the baby back ribs are not so good....not lot of meat, not tender at all, and salty in my opinion. I think their Texas ribs are better but still maybe not the best. Some of the youngsters working here can be annoying, not know the answer to questions etc. quiet casual atmosphere. they have a to-go window. make sure you get any extra sauces you might need (more bbq!) or napkins cause sometimes they put em in and sometimes they dont. they have very good salads. Great onion rings.
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Review from Kelly O.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2009
This place has delicious barbecue and a wide range of sides. The cornbread is sweet and the brisket is moist. They have locations all over the south bay but this is the only one I've been too. It is very casual and often has families which can make for a noisy experience at times.
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Review from Ann M.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/15/2007
Memphis Style Pork Shoulder rivals what you can really get in Memphis. The fries are the best especially the little crispy ones. Other menu items are also good like the fish tacos.
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Review from Salty D.
Santa Cruz County, CA
3/17/2010
One of my favorite places to eat in the area.
Food is a 4.5, service 4.5, location 4.5, and cleanliness a 3.
Unfortunately, they are set to close down pretty soon. -
Review from Beau B.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/6/2010
Great place too bad some shitty pizza place took over. Made me very sad when the place went out of business. :( I'm crying.
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Review from Marie H.
Omaha, NE
11/30/2008
I decided to try this place since I have moved from San Antonio I have been craving some good sausage. I found my fix here, and I love that when you do take out they give you the sauce separate. The brisket was excellent, chicken moist. I liked the option of getting a 3 way combo so I could try all the options. Potato salad good, slaw okay, corn salad weird. Sides and all it was good and I would go back. It was ready quick and having a takeout window made it easy to drive up, pick up and get home to enjoy it while it was hot!
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Review from A M.
Capitola, CA
5/1/2009 1 photo
It is a good place if you have a late nite craving for something quick. The food is ok and the ambience so-so. The chilli dog was good.
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Review from M L.
Capitola, CA
7/12/2009
The price was good for the food. The food is good. We ordered the family chicken dinner for around $20. And tastey. The corn side dish is really good. The beans are ordinary, but they really have chunks of meat. Boston Market has better cornbread. The crust is hard. Marie Calender's has the best cornbread on the planet.
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Review from J. O.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/15/2010
Their pulled-pork wasn't bad, but it isn't something that I'd tell my friends about. The portions are pretty good, but not as generous as some of the other barbecue establishments I've seen. I would probably go back here in a pinch. The price isn't as steep as some places, but it can be a little bit more expensive than what you'd like for a lunchtime fix.
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Review from cj d.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2008
had the ribs......dry, hard, and terrible. at least the garlic toast was slightly edible.
