Wood Ranch Manhattan Beach — Restaurant in Manhattan Beach

The Baseline: For a sit down chain BBQ restaurant the bbq meats must be quality/tasty, the sides need to be a good accompaniment to the meats, the smoke flavor must be present, drinks should be stiff, service should be efficient, and the restaurant should have character.

Food: Woodranch is a good, decent BBQ place that serves its meats with a proper amount of smoke/char/flavor. Tri Tip is the go to meat to order but you won’t go wrong with the other meats. The sides are flavorful and make sense with the mains. Drinks are good and stiff enough for my palate. This fulfills my BBQ fix though I always long for places I used to eat in the South.

Service: The staff always provides good, efficient, and quality service. Our waiter Dre did an excellent job. I always had water in my glass.

Ambiance: Woodranch has a particular style and this location is no exception. Comfortable seating and the lighting adds to the environment. Extremely clean bathrooms.

Update: 8/11/2025

Food: I had Tri-Tip in its smoked 10-oz goodness that satisfied my want/need/desire for protein. The baked potato was good with just butter and sour cream (you can get it loaded but it is fine when simply dressed) and the baked beans (sweet and spicy). I also had roaster cauliflower and a peach bourbon cocktail that was good. Raspberry margarita was also good.

Service: The service on the night we came was good and friendly. It was at the end of the evening when the kitchen was closing so felt a bit rushed but that wasn’t the staff it was an operational issue because we were there at night. No harm/no foul.

Ambiance: Woodranch style and character of a dark wood furniture and the smell of smoked meat in the air. Comfortable seating and...

I have been the first time there I have been to other Wood Ranch before but I order BBQ chicken with french fries the french fries was cold when I told the server she took the whole plate back and came back dropped of my chicken I has already taken a bite and said the french fries will come later as well I ordered a salad i wanted to it eat before chicken BBQ the salad was missing I had to ask two more waiters about my salad until it arrived at the end at my table I wanted to have salt and pepper no one brought it and I asked 2 waiters I had to get up to find a waiter to get it I was not done with eating she brought the check and said when you ready I get the payment I wanted to get a coffee and I asked another waiter for it she brought then the coffee and again another check I wanted honestly to eat a dessert like an ice cream she didn't even ask or offer anything and my friend gave her as well 15 dollar tip she didn't even say thank you I m very disappointed about this service with a new opening you should train your staff how to treat a customer and offer meals and drinks as well my cup of water was empty I had to ask if she can refill it and she passed several times the table and didnt notice and I had Margarita when the cup was empty she said I will take the empty cup away she didnt ask "Do you like another drink or something else?" really unprofessional service the BBQ chicken tasted great but if I have to ask different times for everything and unfriendly service will better eat home and...

Was craving some BBQ today and after searching up BBQ on Google near my area, decided upon trying this place out and seing what was up

Had a lovely experience with staff being extremely helpful and friendly and my server Diane (I hope I'm not misremembering that name) was so bubbly and recommending with the food, you can tell she loves doing what she does

The food, what more can I say besides, decadent, got the 2 meat combo with fire roasted chicken and beef ribs with the peanut coleslaw on the side

The Ribs, flavorful. Juicy, tender, I made a mess eating them but that's aye OK, if you ain't getting messy when eating BBQ you ain't eating it right 😂

The chicken, again, nice crunchy almost "bark" like texture on the skin, soft, tender and juicy meat, it like biting into a savory gusher with every bite

The slaw, it was like the flavors were dancing in my mouth as I was eating it, little bit of citrus zest, little bit of vinegary, little bit of nutty, all holding hands and coating my mouth with a lovely flavor profile

And the complimentary rolls,pillow-like, little touch of garlic taste and some herbal taste on the top, asked if I wanted dessert and just casually said with a laugh "these rolls ARE dessert" lol

Everything just worked out beautifully. Everything was great, if you like BBQ, go here when you can, or a spouse. This defintirly would make for a great...