Restaurants
Gus's BBQ
Welcome to

Gus's BBQ

About Gus's BBQ

Gus's BBQ is a top-rated barbecue restaurant in South Pasadena, CA, known for bold slow-smoked flavor, a welcoming atmosphere, and consistently satisfying meals. With a 4.50-star rating from 2,188 reviews, this South Pasadena barbecue restaurant has earned a strong reputation for serving tender, flavorful barbecue paired with fast service and a memorable dining experience.

Guests enjoy an inviting setting with a great beer selection, great cocktails, great coffee, and great dessert, making it a favorite spot for lunch, dinner, and special gatherings. Gus's BBQ also offers convenient accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible car park, wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and wheelchair-accessible toilet, helping every guest feel comfortable and cared for.

Whether you’re craving classic barbecue favorites or looking for a reliable barbecue restaurant in South Pasadena, CA with quality, comfort, and local charm, Gus's BBQ delivers a dining experience built around great taste and genuine hospitality.

To experience one of the best barbecue restaurants in South Pasadena, CA, visit Gus's BBQ and enjoy the flavor, service, and atmosphere that keep guests coming back.

★★★★★ 4.50 rating (2188 reviews)
0
Star Rating
0
Guest Reviews
0
Photos
0
Independent Reviews
Gus's BBQ interior
Est. Local Favorite

A Taste of Tradition

Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.

Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.

  • Fresh Daily Specials
  • Private Dining Available
  • Catering Services
  • Takeout & Delivery

Guest Reviews

Hear from our valued guests

Diana Miguel Álvarez López

Diana Miguel Álvarez López

9 months ago

Had such a great time at this BBQ spot! The brisket was flavorful, the ribs were tender, the mac & cheese was creamy and delicious, and that Kansas City spicy sauce was next level. Finished it off with some amazing butter cake and ice cream—perfect ending to a delicious meal! Also a plus is they have free parking just next to the restaurant.

Van Bach

Van Bach

year ago

Old school vibes but well kept and clean. Our server Phillip N is great. Food wise, ribs and smoked sausages are tender and juicy, hot chicken is also flavorful, all the sides are good. The only thing is the brisket is kinda dry. But overall the experience was great and good value for money. Highly recommended.

Shawn Sheng

Shawn Sheng

11 months ago

Absolutely wonderful BBQ restaurant that combines delicious food, southern hospitality, and a love for what they do. The ribs are cooked to perfection and fall off the bones, delicious even without any sauce. The kitchen is so efficient and the food comes out quickly. They have 2 toes of ribs and ordering a full rack of ribs lets you do half and half. Very friendly staff and plenty of seats inside.

Edgar Monroy

Edgar Monroy

11 months ago

If you’re craving real Southern-style barbecue in the LA area, Gus’s BBQ in Pasadena hits the spot. This place has been around for years, and it shows in all the right ways. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and just rustic enough to feel authentic without trying too hard. Whether you’re there for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the vibe is always inviting and relaxed. Let’s get to the food: it’s legit. The brisket is tender and smoky with that perfect bark on the outside—exactly how you want it. The pulled pork is juicy and full of flavor, and the ribs? Fall-off-the-bone and packed with that deep, slow-cooked taste. They really know how to do low and slow here. Portions are generous, too, so come hungry. One thing that really stood out for me was the variety of sauces—sweet, spicy, tangy—they let you customize the experience without overdoing it. You can tell they take pride in their recipes. Also, the sides aren’t just an afterthought like in some BBQ spots. The mac and cheese is creamy and rich, the baked beans have that smoky-sweet punch, and the cornbread? Soft, buttery, and served warm. They also have great drink options—a full bar with solid cocktails and a decent beer list. The bourbon peach sweet tea was a standout. Perfect for a summer afternoon. Service was friendly and efficient. Our server knew the menu well and gave us good recommendations without rushing us. Even on a busy night, everything came out on time and hot. ⸻ Gus’s BBQ is a Pasadena staple for a reason. Solid barbecue, awesome sides, great service, and an atmosphere that feels both cozy and classic. Whether you’re a BBQ purist or just want a good meal with friends or family, it delivers every time. Definitely worth the drive if you’re coming from elsewhere in LA

Carol Shannon

Carol Shannon

month ago

One of the best breakfast restaurants I have been to in a long time. They only serve breakfast on weekends, and I think we were super lucky to get there when it wasn't crowded. It was my first time, so I didn't get to taste the whole menu of breakfast items, which looked scrumptious, but what we had was absolutely delicious. I had grits along with bacon and eggs. I'm a true Yankee, I have only tasted grits one or two times in my life, but as I understand it, these were exceptional. They were listed as jalapeno and they reminded me of chicken & rice, with a very faint jalapeno flavor. The eggs and bacon were cooked perfectly and both were not your standard diner eggs and bacon - good eggs, really nice bacon. Served in an environment that was comfy, casual but also nicely appointed. But perhaps the jewel in the crown was the staff. Our waiter was sincere in his personable-ness, seaming to genuinely connect with us, and everyone else was very nice. Friendly, helpful, prompt, but not effusive. This would be a perfect place to take a date, or for a weekend in Pasadena.

Juana Saldana

Juana Saldana

year ago

Gus’s BBQ is definitely going on my list of favorite spots in Pasadena! The service was amazing , our server recommended the cornbread as an appetizer and it did not disappoint. So flavorful and gluten-free! We ordered the chicken and two meats combo, and let me just say… the chicken was cooked to perfection. The house made blueberry mint lemonade was super refreshing and the perfect touch to an incredible meal. Highly recommend!

Alicia Gonzalez

Alicia Gonzalez

6 months ago

First time visiting this place, it was recommended by a friend We ordered the combo plate with chicken baby back ribs and beef brisket, I ordered the catfish. Everything was good, the corn bread is a must, is fresh made and is so good! The service is great, parking could be a little hard but is Pasadena so we expected that. We went in a Saturday not to late it was before 5pm so it wasn't that busy. Food portions are big we have enough leftovers for next day. We definitely will go back.

Gerry Saenz

Gerry Saenz

9 months ago

We had an amazing lunch at Gus's BBQ! We were seated right away, and our waiter was quick to take our order. The food was absolutely delicious and filling. If you're looking for great barbecue from a local favorite, you have to check out Gus's. The atmosphere was lively but not intrusive. You might have some difficulty finding parking doing busy hours.

Anais

Anais

4 months ago

Had a yummy pulled pork sandwich yesterday. But I'm still missing the Fremont Burger 🍔 that they took off the menu years ago 😕. I'm fave items here are the pulled pork nachos and the deviled eggs. But really everything is good 👍 the service is always great!

howard hausman

howard hausman

2 weeks ago

It was my first time there. Our waitress was great very friendly,with great ordering tips. Food was really very good. Laura the manager, introduced herself and made sure everything was good. I have already told my friends to check Gus's out!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gus's BBQ

Business Features

Highlights & Amenities

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • On-site services
  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
  • Serves local specialty
  • Sport

Popular for

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Happy-hour drinks
  • Happy-hour food
  • Late-night food
  • Private dining room
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Spirits
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Bar on site
  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Historic
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Family friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists

Planning

  • Brunch reservations recommended
  • Lunch reservations recommended
  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations
  • Usually a wait

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • On-site parking
  • Paid street parking
  • Plenty of parking

Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside

Visit Us

We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!

Location

808 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030, United States

Reservations

+1 626-799-3251

Hours

Closed · Tuesday 11 AM-10 PM
Friday 11 AM-11 PM
Saturday 9 AM-11 PM
Sunday 9 AM-10 PM
Monday 11 AM-10 PM
Tuesday 11 AM-10 PM
Wednesday 11 AM-10 PM
Thursday 11 AM-10 PM
Share This Business

Make a Reservation

Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.