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Barbacoa Reviews List
Barbacoa
Welcome to BARBACOA restaurant! We serve the east Bay's finest wood-fired Mexican cuisine. The wood fire feeds the flavors of our roasted meats, fish and vegetables. A full bar compliments the authentic Mexican dishes and our margaritas, beers, wines and classic cocktails will be sure to have you coming back.
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51 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 51 reviews
5 stars
(6)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(16)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(6)
Food
(Very Good)
3.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for outdoor dining(21)
- kid-friendly(19)
- neighborhood gem(19)
- good for groups(16)
- vibrant bar scene(10)
- fit for foodies(9)
Barbacoa Reviews List
Review 1 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We'll be back!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent Mexican food, reasonable prices, great service. The only negative I can think of was that the hard wooden chairs at our table in the bar were uncomfortable."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Alfresco dining on a Saturday night
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Four of us were initially seated inside, but Inside is stuffy to me. The restaurant was agreeable to move us outside. My husband ordered beef tacos, that were small and spicey--although it did not indicate on the menu about the spice. He tleft them uneaten. I ordered the chile rellano ala carte with a green rather than tomato sauce-- without rice and beans. My major complaint was with our waitress who argued with me when I told her my house margarita tasted too sweet and was mostly mix. She was rude, reluctantly took it back and remade. Hot chips are a nice touch and guacamole very good."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The owners of this restaurant also own Table 24 which is located in the same area.
They are very nice and friendly. This is mexican food. There are generous portions and I had fajaitas.. It was alright. Next time I will try their enchiladas."
They are very nice and friendly. This is mexican food. There are generous portions and I had fajaitas.. It was alright. Next time I will try their enchiladas."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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Review 4 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The first time we went to
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The first time we went to Barbacoa it was a little better, but that may be because of what I ordered. I had the dish for which the restaurant is named the first time and it was excellent; I tried something different this time (carnitas) and it was not as good. My wife's chile relleno was very good though. We split a good salad, and it was more than enough for two. The margaritas were nice as well, not too sweet.
We really liked the flan the first time, but at 7:30 on a Saturday night, they ran out. Our waitress, who had pretty much abandoned us and left us waiting at least five minutes (most likely 10) to order dessert, said the last piece had just been sold when she finally arrived."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2008
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Review 5 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
45 minute wait from order
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"45 minute wait from order to service of food. Food was not good. Chips were stale; guacamole was bland and not at all creamy. Carne asada burrito had five small pieces of steak--ungrilled--and bland fillings. Waitress was fantastic but obviously frustrated with delays. Management did cut bill and gave us gift certificate for future time at restaurant, which we will not use."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
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Review 6 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
One of the worst experiences
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"One of the worst experiences ever. Waited over 90 min for our food, poor service, and the food was not worth the wait."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2009
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Review 7 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We recently returned to Barbacoa
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We recently returned to Barbacoa after a not so great experience there about 8 months ago. We were so pleased to find an updated menu, much friendlier service and more reasonable pricing. Bottom line is that they miraculously pulled off a turn-around - not common in the restaurant business. We've now gone back three times and have loved it every time. The pescado tacos are awesome and our kids love the taquitos."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Missed signals
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I made a reservation on Open Table for 7pm on Easter Sunday, but the restaurant closed early after a slow brunch. I emailed the restaurant on Monday and received a very nice reply from the owner, who had checked with Open Table when he decided to close early. Unfortunately, this was before I made our reservation. Not sure if OT has the facility to inactivate reservations in a case like this, but if they don't, they should. A note was on the door explaining the situation and suggesting we try their sister restaurant close by. We passed as we had wanted to try Barbacoa specifically.I'd like to add that the response to my complaint was more than satisfactory and we will be rescheduling in the near future."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2009
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Review 9 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice outdoor patio area -
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Nice outdoor patio area - very comfortable and pretty. Food was great. Only wish the server had told us how big the portions are - we could have definitely split the corn pudding and the Barbacoa. Had enough for 4 more meals!! Staff is very friendly and fun."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining
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Review 10 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The world's most uncomfortable
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The world's most uncomfortable seats. All the tables beside us complained, too. The seats are too low for the tables. Kind of spoils an otherwise OK typical Mexican restaurant."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food doesn't stand up to decor.
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Sometimes all you need is a good location and that's what Barbacoa has going for it. The place is packed but unfortunately, we won't be back. The guacamole lacked seasoning and the tortilla soup was so acidic, it wasn't edible. There was nothing "super" about the super burrito (very little steak to rice/bean ratio) and our Barbacoa was mediocre (fork tender but again lacked any flavor). Sadly, Chipotle is much better for less money. The ambiance and service were quite good. Too bad the food doesn't keep up with the surroundings."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2005
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Review 12 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
The restaurant has declined
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The restaurant has declined since my last visit which was when it first openned...the food we had was well prepared but lacking any interesting flavors. Service was not professional...highschool and college students. Bar scene still looked vibrant but very disappointed with the restaurant."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
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Review 13 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Barbacoa did not impress.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Barbacoa did not impress. Food was meh. Maybe I'm spoiled because I spend 50% of my time in the Mission District of San Francisco."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2003
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Review 14 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
had reservations for valentines
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"had reservations for valentines day. had to wait for my table 15 additional minutes. took forever to get help after beong seated. food just ok...best part was the chips and margarita."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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Review 15 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good Looks, Poorly Organized
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
"The food was okay, not the best Latin food I have ever had but good. The restaurant seemed confused, took a long time to get seated with reservation and then it was in table for 4 for a party of 2 on a very busy night. The place was loud and the service was spotty at best. We waited quite a long time to get our food order.
Unfortunately they sat us next to the kitchen. It was unfortunate for the restaurant as I used to work short-order and man, that kitchen was poorly organized. There were cooks stumbling all over each other to fix the orders. That was one reason the food took so long. They also needed to separate the desert/salad line from the main kitchen. It would have helped limit the crossover traffic between cooks."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 16 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We have eaten here twice in
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have eaten here twice in the last month. The first time was a party of four on a Friday night with a 7:00 pm reservation and it took until 7:30 to get seated. The bar was croweded as was the small sitting area in the entrance. I would have offered a drink after 15 minutes or so but no go. After we were seated the service was very good as was the food.
The second tme there were two of us and we were seated promptly. Service was very good as was the food. The owner came by a couple of times to see how we were doing. I do think they need some green hot sauce as an alternative to the red. We like the place overall."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2009
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Review 17 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
fun happening place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food is great. Tequila selection extensive. Nice wait-staff. Bar is quite noisy and the wooden chairs are really uncomfortable...they need pads. Or maybe they just don't want you to stay long?"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 18 for Barbacoa
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Not worth making a reservation
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Not worth making a reservation since they take people as they arrive. Waited a long time for terrible table. Service, food and ambience poor. Overly salty tortilla chips, insipid tortilla soup, single taco served on a tiny saucer. Tasteless beans."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2002
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Barbacoa
Based on the average of (33) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
2 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic