Canyons Barbeque — Restaurant in Castro Valley

Background: Over 35 years in Texas means I know barbecue and Tex-Mex, neither of which is easy to find in the Bay. I do have a smoker so I know how to make it myself, but I'm always on the prowl. This place I'd call a solid contender for the area and having read the other reviews, I'll address some of the claims vs. what I witnessed.

There's no such thing as barbecue tri-tip outside of CA, so I wouldn't order it here or anywhere. Just don't do it. Barbecue competitions always focus on ribs and brisket for a reason. On to seasoning of the meat: you don't season smoked brisket with anything. Not even salt & pepper. Canyon's was flavored by the smoke, exactly as it should be and it was delicious and moist. The brisket was very tender and was cut across the grain exactly how it's supposed to be cut. Some places remove the fat layer, but they left it on the slices. That's a non-issue--it's just the way brisket is and you cut it away. I also ordered the hot links on a combo plate and they were dead-on exactly what I hoped for. I haven't had a decent hot link in ages, so these took me back. My wife ordered the chicken plate and she was happy with the smoked taste on the moist meat that was properly cooked. We had both the regular and the hot barbecue sauce; I esecially liked the spicy sauce. If you think your food is bland, put the hot BBQ sauce on. It's not crazy hot, just a nice kick.

I got the baked beans and was pleased to find a little brisket here and there in them--something you don't often see in other joints anywhere. And they tasted pretty good. I also got the cole slaw and it has a light sauce with a slight sweatness which is my preference vs. the swamped kind. And then we ordered both the corn bread and the garlic bread. Both were just fine and as expected.

The plates came with pickle slices, pickled jalapenos and pickled onions-all made in house and tasty. Zero heat on the jalapenos. We had fountain drinks and no beer this time. I got the Stubborn's craft soda root beer which was perfect; wife had iced tea. Total cost was $25 and change per person, which is decent for BBQ in CA.

In the end, Canyons isn't all the way there against the really good and famous BBQ joints like you find in KC, St Lous, Fort Worth or Austin. But to my mind, this joint just slid into first place in East Bay so far as we're concerned. It's better than that one that burned down and relocated downtown, way better than that historic one near Jack London (sorry) and definitely better than the famous one out of Walnut Creek that makes a lot of good bottled sauces sold everywhere but their restaurant food is weak. So I'm going to give it a 5 for the area and to offset the low-ball slams against them, while it'd be a 3.5 or maybe 4 in St....

Got word that this place existed while looking for something different in the area so I decided to try it because I love BBQ everything.

As I arrived I noticed a very beautfiul and large out door seating area right out front. I also noticed there was an unused fire pit which I would loved to come back and sit next to in another visit.

The entrance large and as soon as you enter you are settled directly in front of the menu and registers. There's two options to pick from in the sandwhich category, a half and full size options and all of them come with 1 side and there's a plentiful selection of sides to choose from.

I order and they took my number to text me to notify me when my order was ready. Right across from the menu was a separate bar area with two televisions on and a wide selection of IPA's to choose from which unfortunately are not my preference which is why, this was a dry run for me... shocker! It happens folks, I can survive with out booze!

Behind that was an inside dinning hall and restrooms. The place was nicely air conditioned to boot.

I got BBQ Pulled Pork sandwhich with a side of Garlic Bread and a Hot Link sandwhich with a side of Fries.

The BBQ Pulled Pork was delicious, they add a container of BBQ that they make themselves which, with out it, would have been DEVASTATING to my experience because that sauce was lit!

The Garlic Bread side did not hit the spot the same though, it was lightly seasoned with garlic butter and both soggy and crunchy. I wouldn't call it bad but it does leave a bit to be desired.

The Hot Link sandwhich was delicious as well! I didn't know onions were included and I removed them because it just didn't seem right in my opinion, but I left everything else as is.

The Fries would have been almost perfect had it not been so salty. I loved salty fries and even I was like "woah nelly!".

I ultimately enjoyed the entire joint, I got my order to go but I want to try a couple other items on the menu so I'm going to return, very good work there...

The meat is excellent. I actually really enjoy eating here. But it is Sooooooo expensive I dont go as much as I would like. The soda offering they have is unique and equally good. But it is Sooooooo expensive. I am not sure if the owner of the building is charging them too much for rent but I doubt this place will be around for a long time because it is Soooooo expensive. For the cost.. and if you have the time... Go to Evert and Jones in Oakland. Food is better, and the cost is the same. If canyons can lower their costs I would eat here all the time. it is just Soooo expensive for what you get. The food is good though. But it is Soooo expensive.... Did I mention it was costly to eat here? And the soda they carry is really good.. but the paper cups they give you fall apart to easily. Not sure if you got that it was really expensive for what you get...

Update - we backed off eating here solely based off cost. I found myself driving by it alot wanting to go in but did not because the cost. Well last night the kid and I were kinda close to it after martial arts and it was getting late so we went in for some meat. They were out of everything but the links. It was like 8pm about an hour before close so I understand. But the three links, french fries, mac and cheese and 2 drinks was 41.00!!!!!!!!!!!. I was about to say forget it and use the cover of only links being avail to leave but the guy was kind and figured i had not been here in a while. I cant go back simply based on cost. And the links were not even that great to boot. Soda is still the bomb but that was an expensive meal… all most as expensive as eating at the Chase center. They did have the game on and the warriors lost to top it all off. Try Evert and Jones in Oakland. This place is just too expensive and i hate to say that because it is a castro...