Breakwater Barbecue — Restaurant in Half Moon Bay

I've been here a few times, and it is a hidden gem.  I didn't even know thar there was a BBQ place nearby until (Strictly Dumpling) Mike Chen had done a piece on this on YouTube.  I was shook, I told my husband we had to go there this weekend to check it out.

We came early before they opened, and I was surprised that there was a line.  You can order online, but it was a beautiful day, so we figured there was no rush, and we stood in line like everyone else.

Since it was early, I checked out the kids' clothing store (second-hand items, thrift shop) next door.  The lady told me I had to get the brisket hamburger they have. It's everything you need all in a bun.

I'm not going to lie. We literally ordered one of everything on the menu. We ended up coming the next day for the beef rib.  They only have the beef rib available on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.

What we've ordered :

Breakwater burger - This is amazing. Brisket patty with chopped brisket on top. This thing is massive and a meal on its own.

Baja fish taco - A massive piece of fish with slaw. Perfect bite of crispiness and crunch. The fish was perfectly cooked and so flaky. I was surprised, considering it's a BBQ spot.

Quesabirria tacos - I'm not going to lie. I was skeptical, but who doesn't love a good birria taco. You have the option of brisket or pulled pork.  We did one of each and it 🤯. This is one of my regulars to order.

Beef rib - May sound pricey, but it's definitely worth it. To be honest, I'm not sure where you can get a beef rib in the peninsula. I feel you always gotta cross a bridge to get good BBQ. Here, you get a huge chunk of beef easily good for 1 or 2 people.  It's perfectly seasoned that I don't even use BBQ sauce.  There is a reason why this is only served every 1st and 3rd Sunday. It is a special treat.

A la carte meats : brisket, pulled pork, and hot link highly recommend.  It's all so tender and juicy,  so flavorful. It's making my mouth water just thinking about it.

Smokehouse brisket chili - This is hearty and definitely meaty.

Potato salad - Always pairs great with BBQ definitely cools you down when eating hot link.

Dessert.. always make room for dessert or save for later.

Texas sheet cake is amazing. So chocolatey and sweet. The pecans give it a little bit of crunch and texture.

Cookies are easy to eat and are just as amazing as well.

As far as drinks, I've tried strawberry lemonade and sangria. Both are good. The sangria was not the fruity kind but has a bold taste.

Honestly, everything we've tried is so good that we keep coming back. The more we come here, I've  seen how Wyatt (owner) really cares about what he does. I've seen him sampling items making sure they taste perfectly prior to serving, making sure employees were organized and ready at their stations, and take the time to talk to customers and make sure everything is good. When he talks to customers, you can tell he's not asking because he has to, but you can see he genuinely wants to hear what you have to say.  This is a rare thing to see nowadays.

The smokers/grill they have is definitely a sight to see on its own.

This is hands down the BEST BBQ in the peninsula! I hope more people get a chance to try this hidden gem. It's too good to keep...

Great new space off Highway 1. Texas-style barbecue in Half Moon Bay Area in small town of El Granada. Food is absolutely legit! Burnt ends banh mi is delicious and the brisket chili is absolute perfection! Smoked brisket by the 1/2 lb was so tender and melted as I picked it up with a fork. I don’t know how they sliced it without it breaking up. The pork ribs were great per my wife! I would not recommend the mini loaf cornbread for $5 because it is definitely not worth $5. The size of it is like the cornbread Boston market used to sell. I think they were $1 when they were around. I am definitely coming to this barbecue joint regularly from now on to try everything eventually! I am so glad they picked this vacant spot because now they will get even more attention from drivers on Highway 1 that will see the long lines out the doors.

Update June 8, 2025: Went for a second visit today to try more things on the menu.

1. Breakwater Burger - Very good smoke and meat! Needs BBQ sauce in my opinion for the true barbecue theme.
2. Reuben brisket pastrami - Very excellent overall from the bread to the cheese on the meat! Definitely going to order this regularly!
3. Birria brisket tacos - The meat inside the tacos were excellent and the cheese with the tortilla were excellent! The chamote dip was lacking flavor to compliment the taco so I decided to pour the red BBQ sauce into the chamote sauce and that fixed the problem real good!

Signage outside is finally updated! Great service and...

Absolutely stellar BBQ at Breakwater BBQ! This place is a true gem and deserves every one of its five stars. From the moment you step into their new location, you're hit with a warm, inviting vibe. The decor is fantastic, a thoughtful nod to the building's history as the North El Granada train station – you can almost feel the echoes of the Ocean Shore Railroad.

But let's talk about the food, because that's where Breakwater BBQ truly shines. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu, and honestly, it's all incredible. The brisket is perfectly tender, the pulled pork is smoky and delicious, and don't even get me started on the beef ribs – they're fall-off-the-bone amazing. The chicken quarters and turkey are consistently juicy, and the sausage links, especially the poblano cheddar, are a must-try.

When I'm not feasting on the main BBQ plates, my go-to's are their tacos. Whether it's the street, birria, or fish tacos, they are consistently fresh, flavorful, and just hit the spot every time.

What really elevates the experience at Breakwater BBQ, beyond the incredible food and inviting atmosphere, is the attentive staff. I've been consistently taken care of by their team, always friendly and on top of things, making every visit a pleasure.

Breakwater BBQ has perfected the art of slow-smoked meats, and their new digs make the experience even better. If you're anywhere near El Granada, do yourself a favor and stop by. You won't be...