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Smalley's Roundup Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Steakhouses Barbeque, Steakhouses [Edit]
1190 S Main StSalinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-0511
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 8 pm
Tue-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sat-Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for Smalley's Roundup Restaurant
Review Highlights
"My favorite is the tri tip + lots of garlic bread."
(in 11 reviews)
"The best bbq in town, no question about it."
(in 7 reviews)
"Their garlic bread is super duper yummy."
(in 10 reviews)
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Mike L.
Marina, CA
10/23/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Smalley's seems like it's hit or miss with the masses. The people that have given favorable reviews to the place are spot on with their observations: The staff is incredibly friendly, the atmosphere is welcoming and the portions are massive. I'd consider myself a fairly big eater and I ended up taking a box home for the leftovers that I couldn't finish from their Sampler, which included chicken, tri-tip and pork ribs that were to die for.
The people that have voted in an inauspicious fashion also have valid gripes, with the exception of a couple of idiots. Another reviewer wrote "that it is pretty stupid that a bunch of non-native American people are wearing and selling t-shirts that say "vegetarian, Indian word for lousy hunter.", I should have quoted him verbatim but it was incoherent and you wouldn't have been able to understand me because it was grossly misspelled. A bold claim for anyone to say anything is stupid when they can't even spell the most basic words themselves. Seriously!?? These shirts are clearly a joke and are not meant to be taken seriously. To lower a review based on something that has absolutely no merit is laughable at best. Based on his logic, no one except Native Americans should be wearing these t-shirts...absolutely pathetic.
Someone else had also mentioned that they had to walk up to the counter to pay. I don't know if they had a different payment process in the past, but I never had to move from my seat to pay for my meal. It's normally not in my nature to rip people, but when there's something fundamentally wrong with the complaints, I feel like I need to provide clarity.
Anyway....I found Smalley's to be a pretty solid BBQ restaurant. The food isn't the best that I've ever had, but it didn't have to be. The meat was tender, perfectly sauced and cooked to perfection. The salad was tasty and the chili had the right amount of spice. I'll just reiterate that the service was top-notch and if all else fails will be the sole reason I would continue to return to this place. The woman (never got her name) who seated us was exceedingly friendly to my son and even took the time to play with him. Smalley's certainly made us feel welcome and that goes a very long way with my family. -
Review from Dick A.
Salinas, CA
8/15/2011
It IS pretty stupid that a bunch of non native american people are wearing and selling t-shirts that say "vegeterian, indian word for 'lowsy hunter.'" Further, their steak salad sucks. It's one of those no-nutritional-value salads filled with iceburg lettuce and a few chopped carrots & onions. If you're resteraunt is in F'ing Salinas, and you can't fill that damn salad with a bunch of tasty vegetables, there is seriously something f'ing wrong.
The steaks ARE very good, but the things mentioned above warrant a low score. -
Review from Jennifer R.
Salinas, CA
8/1/2011
Clam chowder was surprisingly good, with lots of big chunks of clam and carrot. BBQ beef sandwich was well-sauced, although that doesn't mean much when the sauce is fairly flavorless. I'll own up to the fact that I grew up with the best barbecue sauce on the planet (my mother's), so nothing will ever truly compare, but I've enjoyed other barbecue before. But when I look up from a sandwich and think to myself "Hmm, Togo's BBQ beef sandwich is better." that's not a good sign. Lemonade was good but the cups were enormous to a point I would hope is bordering on satire. Accompanying steak fries (which I tasted off a companion's plate) were mealy, clearly from a freezer bag; and the cup of beef & bean chili was bland.
Overall, it's eminently skippable, especially when combined with the T-shirts worn by staff and sold at the door: Vegetarian: Indian word for Lousy Hunter. Wow, good job on combining racism, total ignorance of indigenous cultures, and basic idiocy (who honestly makes that joke anymore?!) This is what dropped them down to one star from two, because really? Really guys? I'm the last person to play the PC police, but come on.
Staff was polite and helpful. -
Review from John T.
Gonzales, CA
11/18/2011
Okay - this is based on the new location. First their chill beans are Awesome! No - really AWESOME!
Second, I had bad luck ordering a rib-eye mid rare so decided beef, Smalleys and I don't mix.
However came by the other day and ordered a chicked breast for take out and it was cooked perfectly. -
Review from Brian T.
San Jose, CA
11/27/2011
Good but not great BBQ huge portions friendly staff.
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Review from Grace P.
Marina, CA
5/15/2011
I was looking forward to trying this place out after all the great things I had heard about it... sooooo my husband and I took his mother out to eat for her birthday here.
I was rather disappointed.
The service was fine - waiter friendly and prompt. No complaints there!
I got the "Jeff's Plate" - ribs and deep fried shrimp.
The shrimp was great. The ribs left MUCH to be desired. The were tasteless except the parts that actually had BBQ sauce smeared on them.
The baked potato that came with it also seemed to be lacking some flavor, no matter how much pepper and salt I added.
And the clam chowder (another side) was veeery thick and had a minimal amount of clam in it. In fact, I'll just go ahead and call it "chowder".
And for all that, they prices were quite... pricey.
I did like the fact that they had a couple sides, and the meal came with garlic bread and chili.
However, a better place for ribs/BBQ is Famous Dave's or Henry's BBQ - and the clam chowder at Henry's is actually CLAM chowder. -
Review from Leigh V.
Salinas, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Place use to be a favorite of mine at their original location. Since moving to this new location the food has really gone down hill...the complimentary sherbert is the only thing I really look forward too.
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Review from M. W.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
4/29/2011
Just about the perfect dinner at a family restaurant. We walk in, are promptly greeted & seated and the very personable waitress comes to take the drink order within seconds. She immediately brings the drink order back to the table, takes the food order with some very helpful suggestions. I get up and go to the restroom to wash my hands and as soon as I sit back down the waitress approaches the table with our soup & salads. Main courses followed shortly and there were plenty of check-backs by our waitress to make sure we had everything we need, but she was never intrusive.
Food was typical BBQ and steak fare, but absolutely delicious and well worth the price paid which was pretty nominal.
The bottom line is they do not screw around at this joint... They provide good service & good food at good prices. You just cannot fault that. -
Review from Dee K.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/21/2011
Really great food!
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Review from Bruce C.
Pleasanton, CA
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had a great steak there..again! Cooked perfectly and it was tender & tasty!
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Review from Steve S.
Salinas, CA
4/30/2011
I have been going to Smalley's forever. Starting at that little hole in the wall they were at up until they moved to their new much bigger place on South Main street. Their ribs aren't nearly as good as they were years ago. They are a little tough and fatty. I just get their steaks now. The rib eye and new york are great. This is the only time that BBQ sauce ever touches my steaks. The best BBQ sauce! Some people don't like the vinegary sauce, but that's because those people suck. Great Sauce! Love the fact that you can buy it. Perfectly cooked baked potatoes, great garlic bread, and the beans are good. Lots of food, good prices.
My only gripes about Smalley's are the ribs and the small old style chairs. I feel like the chairs are going to crumble when I sit down. Otherwise I love it and will continue to frequent the place. -
Review from Cristine T.
Salinas, CA
8/3/2010
If I could have given this place a -10 I would have.
Service- The waiter tried numerous times to take my silverware off the table... while I was using it... and if that weren't bad enough... she tried to take my friends chair when she went to the bathroom!
Food- My ribs were tough an the BBQ sauce was mediocre at best (it was like ketchup)
Atmosphere- Blah!
Don't go here... if you're hungry you're better off hitting up McDonald's down the street! -
Review from Rob W.
Marina, CA
6/28/2010
When you discuss BBQ in this area, one of the primary places talked about is Smalley's. They moved recently closer into town, so I thought I'd give them a try.
The service was excellent. We were greeted right away and seated quickly. Server was friendly, and when there was a break, the fill-in server was just as attentive.
They have the typical BBQ items--heavy on the pork ribs. They didn't have the beef ribs--but there are plenty of other choices.
The GF and I opted for salads. Although rather than get chili, I asked for double salad. Apparently, that didn't register with our server because my salad and the girlfriend' salad were identical. It was an iceberg lettuce salad with dressing--just ordinary.
The food arrived not long afterward. I ordered the tri-tip and chicken breast and my GF had the tri-tip.
The meat came slathered in BBQ sauce. The sauce was overly spiced and was in such quantities that you couldn't taste the meat. My experience with BBQ is that the sauce enhances the taste of the meat. However, I think they cook the meat separately from the sauce and then add the sauce afterward. Even the end pieces of the tri-tip that are seared well were not visible (nor distinguishable by taste) beneath the sauce. The bread that came with was just ok and the chili, from the GF's report, was just ok.
The restaurant provides rainbow sherbet, which I was looking forward to. I know it's petty, but my scoop didn't have all the flavors--only two.
You have to walk up to the counter to pay, which seems to be a bit of an inconvenience.
Overall, both of us were underwhelmed. A lot. In fact, we really didn't like it and would not return. There are far better BBQ places than this one. -
Review from Eddie W.
6/13/2010 1 photo
BBQ COMBO ($19.46 ish)
GIGANTIC PORTION OF TENDER TRI-TIP, JUICY CHICKEN AND 3 JUMBO SIZED SUCCULENT RIBS!!! + CHOICE OF BAKED POTATO OR FRIES + SALAD OR SOUP (CLAM CHOWDER) + GARLIC BREAD
There was easily enough food for 2 people.
The sauce was tangy with a smooth heat finish. The consistence wasn't too runny or too thick.
Overall Thoughts
Definitely could see why Smalley's was voted Best BBQ IN 2010 by the Monterey Weekly. -
Review from Jenny Y.
Marina, CA
8/11/2011
Ginormous portions for a decent price. We used to order takeouts a couple times a month when they first moved to South Main. Convenient location, and pleasant staff.
Great ribs and pork chops. -
Review from Adam M.
Salinas, CA
All around it was great! Got the sample platter for $17.99. I got a salad which had awesome ranch dressing! Main course was a HUGE chkn breast (which was not burnt and super moist) tri-tip which was ok (poor on the bbq sauce) and the pork ribs (some ribs were dry and tuff, others were moist... Poor on bbq sauce) than steak fries amd bread (fries were under cooked and bread just had butter amd should have some seasoning on it)
I gave it a 4star because service and customer service was awesome. And some of the elements left me wanting more...but again the chkn and sherbert dessert was bomb! If u go ask for ryan, he was an awesome waiter! -
Review from Ashley M.
Salinas, CA
7/11/2011 3 photos
my parents wanted to take me here on my birthday for lunch so along with us came my siblings.
the host brought us to our seat quickly and our waiter was friendly and sufficent.
i ordered the combo 'Dianne's platter' which was a breast of chicken with 1/3 rack of pork ribs with chili, garlic bread, and a baked potato. theres also a choice of soup or salad, i chose the salad. the salad was okay, it wasn't super good but it wasn't horrible either. when my food came, i knew i couldnt eat it all. i tasted a little of the ribs, they were good.. i ate the whole chicken breast; it was covered in barbecue sauce which im not a big fan of but even after taking a bit of it off, the chicken was still moist!
after we got all of our leftovers put in to-go boxes our waiter asked if we wanted a scoop of sherbet that came with our meal. although i was full, i said yes anyways so i can taste it, mine was a lime/orange combo that was yummy.
also! my mom told them it was my birthday, they didnt sing me a song (thank gosh) instead they took 10$ off my meal, yay! -
Review from Dylan S.
Salinas, CA
7/1/2011
The ribs where the worst I have had in a long time very tough and the chicken was dry. The old location was better but now I would not recommend to anyone and I went back a second time I thought maybe I got them on a bad day but I think they are all bad at the new location.
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Review from Naomi C.
Capitola, CA
3/12/2008
I don't care what anyone says, this is the best BBQ I have ever had. I grew up in Salinas and this was pretty much the place to go for BBQ. Big Joe's kinda sucks and their clientele makes me want to keep a rock in my purse. Central Texan BBQ out in Castroville is a joke. If you want to choke on dry meat, get food poisoning from a salad bar, get ogled by a crusty old man with meat and gristly under his nails and enjoy the ambiance of sawdust on the floor, then by all means that is your place.
Back to Smalley's. The sauce is thin, but flavorful and delicious. The meat is juicy, the baked potatoes are huge and come with a shitload of butter and sour cream. I love it. I even put the BBQ sauce on my potato. The sampler platter is enough food for 2-3 people and comes with tri tip, a whole chicken breast and ribs, beans, salad and a potato. My family usually orders two samplers and extra baked potatoes and we usually have leftovers. They do serve lunch portions which are still pretty big and you eat free on your birthday. I chose this place for all birthdays and even my high school graduation dinner. When I meet other people from Salinas(we all tend to run away), we all reminisce about Smalley's. -
Review from Rey F.
San Jose, CA
1/20/2010 1 photo
My date spot for BBQ!! My pops actually introduced me to this spot. To be honest I didn't even know it was a restaurant it just looks like a house. But boy was I wrong they do not mess around when it come to BBQ!!
They have a small menu but everything is good. I don't think you can go wrong here. Portions are hearty and you will always get a small scope of sherbet ice cream!!Listed in: 831derful
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Review from Peter y.
Salinas, CA
12/17/2011
food has always been good. now that they moved, the ambiance is just not the same...
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Review from Tracy B.
San Bruno, CA
5/31/2011
Smalley's Roundup in Salinas, CA is a VERY pleasant surprise.
A "sleeper" - best steak in California, and probably in the U.S.
As a function of my job, I travel A LOT and eat out more frequently than person ought.
Here are the best steak houses I know of:
Smalley's Roundup, Salinas, CA
Braun's in Akron, Ohio
Bowman Steak House, Bowman, North Dakota
No joke.
If you want brass and oak, and overpriced meals, this is not your place.
If you want superior food and service, this is your dream come true.
Great family atmosphere as well.
p.s. the ribs and BBQ sauce are on a par with Rosedale BBQ - the best in Kansas City.
Also no joke - good stuff.
T -
Review from Jazz D.
San Diego, CA
5/22/2009
This place was not for me. I like a steak now and then but really get crazy for veggies. Being in the heart of the greatest vegetable growing region in the country, I kinda thought I'd find some here. But it was your basic steak and barbecue place: Meat, Meat, Meat and potatoes.
I ended up in a bad mood after scalding myself not only on the chowder which was flaming but also on the potato which turned out to be almost molten. Came back to my no-tell mo-tell and wrote a really over the top bad review. That was not fair.
So, it wasn't my kind of place, it wasn't what I fantasized it would be. But if you want that big old steak and potato, this is certainly a place to get 'em. Ciao. -
Review from Tom S.
Placer County, CA
1/21/2007
Steak, Steak, and more steak! The 50 year old restaurant was in a converted house that burnt down to the ground 12 years ago and they rebuilt it exactly as it was!
Like the architectural conservative tradition, so goes the food. Lots'a beef. Get yours in big, bigger, or giant portions. Vegetables are an after thought. -
Review from Sunshine S.
Salinas, CA
2/11/2009 4 photos
If I coudl I would give it half stars.
Smalley's is great for their portions and service, but it was just average BBQ to me. Don't get me wrong the food was great, especially the garlic bread (I ordered extra to take home) but the BBQ did not make me salivate. The portions were great especially if you like having BBQ leftovers for the next day. The service was great as well. If your ribs are not the way you like it they will bring out more. This guy complained about he ribs being too dry so they brought out more for and encourage him to continue eating the first set of ribs. He ate one or two ribs from his new order which made it look lie he didn't eat any of his food.
Check out my pictures to see the portions and my leftovers that were still a whole meal in itself. Oh yeah and the water glasses were HUGE!! -
Review from Kristine C.
Salinas, CA
1/4/2009
Me and my soul sister friend that share the same birthday decided back in December to spend our birthday with our friends here. It was definitely not the first time I've eaten there, but the food was great. (AS USUAL!) Hands down, best BBQ in town. It's like thee best baked potato ever. I don't know why, it just is. The service was superb. They were fast & friendly, even though we ended up staying a little past their closing time. The prices are reasonable and they serve huge portions so you can split a plate or take the rest home. (Who doesn't love to microwave bbq the next day? -RHETORICAL.) I forgot our server's name, but he was super nice and patient.
All around great place to eat! -
Review from Aaron P.
Monterey, CA
9/28/2008
Forget that place in Castroville, this is the BEST BBQ in Central California. Huge portions for a small price. I had the chicken and tri tip combo place and it was all great and perfectly cooked. It even came with rainbow sherbet at the end!
It is right on Market but you can miss it easily. It is a little red house and is actually nice and roomy inside. The waiter was very helpful and the food came in no time at all. Great atmosphere! -
Review from B. C.
Marina, CA
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Everyone raves & raves about this place & the hubs & I are just not that impressed. Work close to here & know a lot of people that feel like they had to wait awhile to even get a table. My chicken was okay, not bad but not stellar, and my beans with cornbread were bland. The fries that came with my meal were cold & I tried to tell the waitress but she never came back to the table & left us thirsty as we asked the bus boy for our check. Clam chowder is the only thing worth having, actually pretty good.
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Review from JJ L.
Santa Clara, CA
1/24/2011
For $12 you'll get food that you'll never finish! I ordered a "light" plate BBQ ribs. It came with salad or soup, chili, garlic bread, fries and not to mention - rainbow ice cream! The ribs weren't the best I had, but the decent enough for the price. It was such a good deal and money was well spent.
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Review from Efrain g.
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Review from Ajay K.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2010
Absolutely love this place. The best bbq in town, no question about it. Everything is great. Chicken is really tender, ribs are cooked perfectly, garlic bread has the right crunch and the portions are very generous. To top it off you get sherbet at the end of the meal on the house. Plan accordingly, becuase this place gets really busy during lunch and their is usually a wait.
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Review from Elena L.
Salinas, CA
9/29/2010
Mmmmm now that's BBQ & the steaks melt in ur mouth!!!!
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Review from Aryan O.
12/11/2009
I just gotta say this is a diamond in the rough.....this place has really good BBQ and Ribs...I've been going here since I was a kid and if you haven't gone then you haven't been living in Salinas (or you probably don't get out often). But anyways there going to have a new location on South Main Street in Salinas.....it's where the old Baker's Square used to be right across from Starbucks....but yah go check it out before they move.....it's the lil red house on the corner
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Review from Mike P.
Salinas, CA
7/30/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I'm not sure what type of BBQ place this is. It's surely not Texas or Memphis style...California style perhaps? Anyways, if enjoy all your BBQ drenched in vinegary sauce then this is the spot for you.
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Review from carissa p.
Santa Cruz, CA
7/24/2010
While I don't think I've ever seen so much meat in my life, it was delicious the night I had it, and just as delicious the next 2 days I finished my serving. Sharing is recommended. The steak was cooked perfectly as I had asked, and not over seasoned, letting a decent cut of meat speak for itself. The sauce was a little piled on, but it's to expect from BBQ. The ribs were juicy and fell off the bone. I could do without the dessert, the ice cream was poor quality in comparison to an otherwise perfect meal. Be warned the "large" beer is truly large, I'd guess at least 32 ounces.
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Review from belle v.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2008
Love love this place! Really Big Portions and great tasting food! Last time I came here, I got the Tri-Tip & Ribs meal, but should've gotten Steak. Cuz I love me a great steak! This place is very inexpensive. I would choose this place over Outback Steakhouse or any of those other restaurants ANY DAY! Plus they give you dessert with every meal. You won't leave here empty handed, and you might have to bring some leftovers home & take it to lunch the next day. But thanks to yelp, one of you guys on here said its free on your birthday? Wow can't wait!
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Review from Matt B.
West Sacramento, CA
4/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Not a bad BBQ spot in Salinas. 5 stars for the BBQ sauce alone. However I would have liked to have more rib options. Possibly baby back or St. Louis style. Good for large groups and kids.
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Review from Sarah B.
Burlingame, CA
6/8/2008
Great food (HUMONGOUS servings), great price, nice ambiance for a barbeque place and good service! I would definitely come back if I''m in the area.
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Review from Debby F.
Monterey, CA
2/21/2011
I should have reviewed this restaurant when I first started eating there-- at least 20 years ago, which would have been four stars. The takeout ribs were always a treat for us, sauce on the side. When I saw they were opening up on South Main Street, I could hardly wait. What happened? We waited for weeks, after the opening, so that the crowds would die down. This isn't a fancy place, but a helluva lot cleaner and better than the Central Texas BBQ. The ribs are still delicious, but I was very disappointed in the overall experience. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm having a hard time moving past the fact this has been a former pie place that changed hands quite a few times. The staff moves about in a harried fashion, and I feel rushed and crushed. I hope that makes sense. The salads are nothing to rave about-- just lettuce and what tastes liked mass-produced bottled dressing. Would someone PLEASE open a BBQ joint with good beans?! Please? The beans are nothing to brag about. I ate here twice, at the new location. On the second try, even the ribs were a disappointment. I give up. I'll have to wait to for another trip to Kansas City to experienced honest-to-goodness slow cooked brisket and ribs with burnt ends. We just don't have a good BBQ place anywhere on the Peninsula! I'm guessing they haven't experienced the real thing, and simply don't know what they're missing.
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Review from Matt A.
Rowland Heights, CA
5/28/2011
I can't believe people have bad things to say about this place. Oh well, to each his own I guess. My wife and I love this place. The food is great! I think its the best bbq I've eaten. We live in the LA area and drive up to Salinas just to eat here! Now that's sayin something about the food if we're going to drive 5 hrs to eat it
