Kirkland BBQ

Sorry can’t review because this is a BBQ stand and NOT a restaurant. It may be there sometimes and could be good? However, it was not there when I was in town, if I were you «don’t make any solid dinner plans around this STAND that can’t even be bothered to leave a sign with hours of operation on site. There are at least two established restaurants in town that do keep regular hours, make your lunch and dinner plans there instead.

I’ve known Mr. Tim Kirkland for over half my life 15+ years but today was the first time that I tried his famous BBQ. He is now conveniently located in the parking lot of Monterey Produce which I frequent on a weekly basis so it’s very convenient for me to say hi to Tim and grab some of his delicious BBQ creations.
I got an insider tip (one of the adorable sisters at Monterey Produce) told me to get the BBQ sauce on the side which I am so glad that I did. Preface — I’m a sauce fiend but Mr. Kirkland BBQs his meats to perfection so ask for the special sauce on the side. I took a bite of the chicken and WOW. Perfectly cooked, super moist and juicy from being cooked with the skin on. Seriously very tasty as were the ribs. I enjoyed a rib completely without any BBQ sauce, so GOOD! Next, I took a piece of chicken and dipped it in the BBQ sauce (which is killer by the way, a bit on the tangier side — apple cider vinegar perhaps?) and it just added another element of goodness. Same with the rib, quick dunk in the sauce and it just brightened the flavor.
I can honestly say I’ve never had BBQ Chicken this good. Ribs were very solid too!!! Thank you Tim for such an amazing BBQ experience. Oh and the Potato Salad, to die for. Great flavor and I love the consistency. I could tell a lot went into that Potato Salad and it all just works.
I look forward to trying the brisket and pulled pork in the near future.
Fridays & Saturdays
10:30am to 6:30pm

Okay – so this is the BBQ stand in the parking lot of Monterey Produce & Norma Jean’s. Lately, the BBQ & produce combos seem to sprout everywhere. After getting some produce, we headed over to the new stand.
Let me just say that the service was friendly and genuine. The owner/​operator was quick to tell us about how he barbecues the meat. He said that unlike other places that boil their ribs –he does not. He said, «I let the grill do the work.» That work resulted in a delicious barbecue.
We ordered the 2 meat dinner plate for the GF and I to split for lunch. It came with grilled bread, potato salad, and beans. We got tri-​tip and chicken.
The smell in the car was intoxicating. We decided to grab one bag of groceries to bring into the house and the barbecue because we were so ready to eat.
The portions were ample that the two of us were quite satisfied. We weren’t stuffed but definitely full for splitting one order. The BBQ doesn’t come slathered in sauce because the meat was smokey and tasty. The meat was tender but not dried out. In addition, the sauce was spicy enough to add to flavor of the smokey meat. Definitely a hit.
The potato salad was creamy and well blended with enough sweetness to complement the meat. The beans were mildly sweet but again to offset the strong meat. The grilled bread was also high quality sour dough (I think) and not that crappy white bread that other barbecue places try to pawn off on unsuspecting customers.
Overall, the food was really, really good. In addition, we both commented how the service was friendly and affable. Clearly, the owner had pride in his product, which we appreciated and will continue to patronize.
Not only would I return, but I would go out of my way to return. Perhaps, the only disappointment is that they are only there on the weekends.