Best barbecue in California? ‘Tasty’ Fresno restaurant landed on DoorDash list

Hungry? A Fresno restaurant serves up some of the tastiest barbecue in the nation, according to DoorDash.

The popular delivery website recently released its list of the best barbecue delivery spots in the United States in 2025, based on customer reviews and other factors.

That includes a handful of restaurants in California.

“Whether that’s a full meal, or amazing sides and options to go with (your) grilling masterpiece, these local favorites will turn any casual meal into a feast, all delivered right to your door (or patio!),” Peter Esmond, DoorDash senior director of merchant success, said in a June 4 article.

Here’s who made the list:

What makes Fresno barbecue restaurant the best in California?

Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. was the only Fresno restaurant to make DoorDash’s list of the top destinations for barbecue.

Founded by Dave Fansler in 2013, Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. aims to “bring the deep-rooted tradition of pit-smoked BBQ to Fresno, the restaurant said on its website.

It’s part of the Fansler Restaurant Group, which includes Pismo’s Coastal Grill and Yosemite Ranch in Fresno. All three eateries landed on a 2020 list of Fresno Bee readers’ favorite restaurants.

Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. has an average rating of 4.5 stars on DoorDash, with reviewers singing the praises of its smoked meats, side dishes and desserts.

“Everything was delicious, as always,” DoorDash user Kimberly M. wrote in her review of Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. “All of my special instructions were followed perfectly!”

She singled out a few menu offerings, including the “very fresh” Rancher salad and “so delicious” strawberry lemonade, calling Stella Mae’s Potato Salad “the best potato salad I have ever had.”

DoorDash reviewer Rebecca H. also raved about the restaurant’s potato salad, describing it as “light, refreshing and tasty.”

She also had good things to say about Westwood BBQ’s baked beans, brisket and “sinfully delicious” chocolate cake

“The meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth!” the reviewer wrote. “(It’s) a little bit pricey, but it’s well worth the price. Yum!”

Where is Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co.?

Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. is at 8042 North Blackstone Ave. in the River Park Shopping Center.

What’s on the menu for lunch? Dinner?

Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. offers lunch and dinner menus, with dine-in, carry-out and delivery options available. Happy hour food and drinks are available on select days.

Options include burgers, salads, sandwiches and seafood. You can also choose from a selection of plates, platters and combos offering everything from brisket, barbecued chicken and tri-tip to pulled pork and St. Louis-cut ribs.

Starters include chicken wings, nachos and sweet potato fries, while side dishes range from cole slaw and green beans to scalloped potatoes and macaroni and cheese.

There’s also a kids menu with chicken fingers, ribs, a grilled cheese sandwich and other options.

When is River Park eatery open for business?

Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co. is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Where can I find the best barbecue in California?

Five other California restaurants made DoorDash’s 2025 list of the best barbecue joints in the United States:

• 4505 Burgers & BBQ in San Francisco

• Back Forty Texas BBQ in East Bay

• Kinder’s Meats Deli & BBQ in East Bay

• Buckhorn BBQ & Grill in Sacramento

• MacQue’s Barbeque and Catering in Elk Grove

How did DoorDash come up with its list?

To select the nation’s best barbecue delivery spots in 2025, DoorDash said it analyzed data from May 2024 through April.

The tech company focused on small to medium-sized restaurants and brands with less than 10 stores, the highest average overall customer ratings and at least 1,000 reviews.

This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Sarah Linn

The Tribune

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Sarah Linn is an editor and reporter on the West Service Journalism Team, working with journalists in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo in California and Bellingham, Olympia and Tri-Cities in Washington, as well as Boise, Idaho. She previously served as the Local/Entertainment Editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, working there for nearly two decades. A graduate of Oregon State University, she has earned multiple California journalism awards.