Lou’s Brews & BBQ

We just moved into the area and have gotten food from Lou’s twice, once for takeout and once dining in. The restaurant is comfortable, decorated and casual inside with a good layout for having a drink at the bar or waiting to pickup food. The staff is friendly, helpful and enthusiastic, but this is a BBQ place, so what about the food?
We had a couple of different meats and they were all good to very good BBQ (Smokey, tangy, and Juicy). There BBQ sauce is also tasty, I particularly like the spicy one. The side dishes were served with good portions and had good full flavor with the mac and cheese being a nice stand out. Finally, while you don’t win friends with salad, there side salad was served as a nice size portion, very fresh and crispy lettuce and vegetables and a nice simple presentation. I did not expect this much from a side salad, but I was very happy to have it help round out the meal. For me the salad set the tone of this place, they care about the food and the details, and you get a meal that is just a little better for it. To me this is the difference between a 4 star BBQ and 5 star (which it is).
I expect this to be a nice go-​to place when I don’t feel like making dinner, when I want to go out without having to go some place to nice, when I don’t want to spend to much or most importantly when I am craving some good BBQ. Enjoy!

Loved the sauce, the creamy coldslaw, the flavors and Lohne’s service was first class. We ordered the doubled down with 2 choices of meat. You’ll not be disappointed!

I’ve been coming here since 2009, the last time I was here was in 2015. I don’t know what happened today, I ordered one pound of tri tip and it was terrible. I don’t think they BBQed or smoked the meat, it was more like it was steamed or boiled. The meat was also not fresh and had the flavor of old low quality meat. I’m so dissapointed I spend $ 30+ on this meal. It was take out, this is not the first time I order take out btw. In the past it’s been great and the food had a good smoke flavor. This time the food was disgusting. I have to go to work right now, if not I would drive back and return the food.

My husband and I came in because we live very close. We ordered a couple of drinks and two sides (Mac n cheese & the smooth lovin). Both came out lukewarm and tasting as if they were fresh out of the microwave. Staff was nice but never inquired about the food. The restaurant was empty so the service and quality should have been better. We definitely won’t be coming back.

Simple, good hearty food. Asked for guacamole and they made it for my daughter even though not on menu. Solid meat pulled Opel wrap and burger were great and beer selection small but excellent. Recommended casual joint

Small place but big flavors. Been looking a long time for good BBQ near us and this place did not disapoint. Great service and very friendly staff. All home-​made sauces and the homemade mac and cheese is awesome. We will back for sure.

I was riding my bike South on the Santa Ana river bike trail, heading to the beach when I saw their sign ‘Brew & BBQ’ so I turned around. Lonnie was at the bar and recommended a beer and the tri tip. The food is good and the beer is cold. Sports on the tv and country music was playing. Absolutely perfect! I will be back

My friends and I randomly ran into this place while heading to the beach around 3 – 4 so it was a bit slow. We each ordered double downs which is two meats and two sides and two pieces of garlic bread (wasn’t as soft and crispy as I wanted but still good).
The pulled pork was flavorful, hickory and tender with sweet finishes. The chicken was delish and moist but I would’ve preferred a chicken breast, not bone in.
Brisket was nice and chewy, not over cooked or dry.
The tri tip was nice and tender with a hint of sweet.
MAC AND CHEESE YES.
Tri tip chili was ok. If you like beans.
Sweet potato fries were typical.
Mixed veggies were alright. Wish there was more.
Parking was easy to find in the shopping center. This place definitely hit the spot. Satisfying and more than what we expected. Can’t judge a book by its cover!

This was our 1^st time ordering from this Restaurant.
My husband wanted bbq and on the website all looked great. Place the order and went to pick it up…
1. My order said by 8:11pm…was not ready and had to wait.
2. I was over charged, but it was corrected ;)
3. I got home, and I live in Huntington BEACH, not more than 10 mins Away our food was cold except the bbq beans
I’m not impressed, more Pissed off…
What we paid for we could’ve went to L. A and our food still would’ve been warm, coming back to the O. C
Lost a customer!!!
So disappointed in this place

We enjoyed our late lunch at Lou’s after my sons flag football game.
We received lovey service and felt welcomed from the time we stepped in the door. We all enjoyed the warm pretzel pieces that we were served prior to ordering our drinks. My sister and I both ordered the protein plate however, I substituted pulled pork for the tri-​tip. My husband ordered the red oak dip and I was able to sample a bite of his tri-​tip from his sandwich. Everything was well prepared and piping hot when served. The protein plate was a sizable portion and I ended up bringing my chicken and half a yam home… woo hoo two meals for the price of one!
I would recommend heading over to Lou’s for a nice meal and friendly service.

So delicious, great atmosphere! Some of the damn best barbecue I have ever had. I have been here a few times before and even ordered from
their catering. Everything is fair prices and portions and great! The staff actually cares about your experience and I have met the owner who is a very nice guy who may have a convo with you around the u shaped bar surrounded by big flat screens. Today I ordered the pulled pork bbq sandwich and it is so good! I got a side of mac for the side that comes with it and I always ask for extra and they hook it up. The IPAs are great and you never have to wait for a seat. If you don’t want to deal with a huge crowd this place is a great find for sporting events to watch on tv and have a nice beer and great food. Just down the hill off Hamilton check it out you won’t regret it !

Came here with my son after a rugby camp. It’s casual which is nice. Customer service is great. We came for lunch hungry for bbq. Would have liked to have smelled bbq but you don’t get that aroma like you think you should like smoked meat, etc. they had the rotisserie going but maybe one or two chickens were in there.
The soft drinks were in way too small cups and just didn’t quench our thirst.
I ordered a combo plate with brisket, chicken and ribs. Then risked was so small I thought I ordered a child’s plate. Ribs were good although small.
I took a burger home for my other son, and the same plate for my wife. They said it was just okay-​nothing great. I’d go back for one more try. Overall it was good just could be better.

Walked in, and told to wait a minute to place a take out order.
Waited 20 minutes and other people who came in after me got helped first.
Walked out… and never gonna come back. BBQ looked cold anyways!
Horrible service and more horrible service.

I’m not really sure where the good reviews are coming from. These must be people whom have never had real barbeque or something.
When we walked in, it was seat yourself and the waitress was not paying any attention to anyone and kept walking back and forth from the kitchen while we sat at our table with no menus or anything for a good 5 – 10 min.
Everything was cold. The tri tip was not tender and nearly room temperature. Which was amplified worse since all the sauces were colder. The mashed potatoes could hardly pass as potatoes, probably some instant crap. They had some odd flavorings on them too. The lemonade and the mashed potatoes tasted nearly the same, both watery and some mild tangy taste and made from a box. Worst potatoes I’ve ever had of any style anywhere, hands down.
The salad came in a soup bowl mug thing instead of a plate and was awkward to eat.
The ribs were meh, nothing special. Not worth the extra 3 $ or whatever.
I think everything was just sitting under heat lamps that weren’t even hot or it was all prepackaged precooked stuff. Definitely not authentic bbq.
I ordered brisket, and they gave me pulled pork. It was ok.

Had the tasty tri-​tip on toasted garlic butter bread with a great Au Jus to dip it in, the Mac n cheese and side salad… everything was delicious!!! The pretzel bites were a great little starter!!! Everyone is super friendly & I’d definitely go back for more!!!

The Bbq is the best!
But honestly it’s more than just the taste. The service was a winning point!
The bartender (sincere brunette male. sorry I forgot his name) made my boyfriend and I feel like welcomed regulars. He and the restaurant went out of the way to make sure we had the best experience. It made our night!
I worked in at a Bbq restaurant for 6 years but I’ll still say I was impressed by Lou’s! Make sure you stop by.
(You don’t have to dine in… take out is great! A hidden gem to find)

Not impressed in the least. I had high hopes and was excited to try a BBQ place so close to my house. I was let down by Newport rib co in Costa Mesa and was hoping Lou’s could help me fulfill my BBQ cravings and boy did this place FAIL.
The gf and I each ordered the tri tip sandwich. The meat had lots of gristle and was wayyy too chewy– not moist and tender. The bread had no flavor and didn’t complement the meat at all. It would have been nice for them to at least brush the bread with some garlic butter. I couldn’t really taste the smoke flavor of the meat.
We also had the tower of onion rings. The batter had no flavor– reminded me of the breaded and deep fried food you get at oc fair.
My sweet potato fries were somewhat soggy and had no crisp to them.
What bothered me the most was all the staff looked to be max 18 years old and there was not much supervision. The cook had a bad cold and I actually saw him wipe his runny nose several times while preparing food. Another thing that bothered me was that these same kids working there randomly found a gold fish outside of the restaurant that someone abandoned and brought it in and housed it near the pickup window by the kitchen and were all playing with it.
Lou’s really needs to step their food game up and hire/​train better employees. Their prices are way overinflated for the quality of food you get. I will not be returning.

Food was cooked to perfection! Fall off the bone ribs, nice atmosphere, and kid friendly! Lots of beers on tap!

You say Orange County doesn’t do any Barbecue? I say Lou’s Red Oak BBQ Grill.
I was recently talking trash about OC’s anemic Barbecue scene with a good friend when it was implored that I try Lou’s Red Oak BBQ Grill before giving up completely. Located humbly in a suburban HB strip mall, I was concerned as I walked up that I had made the drive from Irvine in vain but as soon as the door swung open I was relived by the scent of the charred red meat in the air.
Lou’s specializes in Santa Maria style Barbecue which is a uniquely Californian style. The tradition started in the Central Coast in the 1800’s when local rancheros hosted Spanish themed celebrations featuring grilled Tri Tip’s of Steak grilled over a fire of red oak (which is plentiful in Central California). The underground fire pits of yore have since been replaced with barbecues with a hand crank that is used to raise and lower the Tri Tip from the fire in the usual application. Lou’s uses a rotisserie smoker which is something I have not seen before but hell, it works. Well even.
The restaurant is quite demure and since they offer take out, you might be better off getting the food to go if you live in the area, a luxury I did not have. I waited patiently for a table and was happy that I did as Lou’s puts on a righteous Tri Tip that is smoky, juicy, tender and in my case, perfectly medium rare. The steak is served with a Salsa and Barbecue sauce that I largely ignored. Tri Tip this good needs no masking. Paired with an ice cold beer served in a mason jar I was perfectly content with with every aspect of my lunch.
At $ 16.00 it could be argued that Lou’s is expensive but the same plate of lesser quality Tri Tip from Lucille’s would run you all of $ 25.00. The service was friendly and efficient through the meal. Lou — open another location in South County! I am thinking Irvine!
If you haven’t had Santa Maria Tri Tip — you haven’t lived. Lou’s puts on a great one.

BEST BBQ IN HB
I eat way too much lous and the pretzels go perfect with KROMBACHER! there’s always something yummy on tap try the bbq tri tip… pulled pork… ribs…briscuit…yumm
Watch out when dan’s behind the grill… that dude makes some bomb foods