I've heard of gas station bbq spots being hidden gems, and this was definitely one of them. The food was perfectly smoked, and had a nice well seasoned flavor. The ribs were juicy, and packed with flavor. The brisket was tender, had a nice bark, and last but not least the sausage had something I always look for which is a kick of spice. Overall the food was a great choice, and nothing was set aside with any hint of dissatisfaction.
Gilbert Sandoval
Best Bar-B-Q I've had so far. The meats are super tender especially the Dino rib. It's fantastic!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William B.
The food was so damn good. I got the brisket and grilled cheese sandwich, I've never had one so hot, fresh, fast, and delicious. The fries were great too!
Manny T.
I recently visited Hotbox Barbecue in Fresno, located at the corner of Shields and Maple, near the Valero gas station. I met Israel, the head cook, who has years of experience and a unique way of barbecuing. He's really good at making tri-tip, brisket, ribs, and chicken. The menu also has special items like mac & cheese, brisket sandwiches, and loaded fries with your choice of meat. Everyone was super friendly. I tried the loaded fries with tri-tip, a tri-tip sandwich, and mac & cheese. Watching Israel cook was a treat. The tri-tip was juicy, well-cooked, and flavorful. The mac & cheese was creamy and went perfectly with the meat. The barbecue sauce was homemade and added a great zesty taste. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a tasty tri-tip sandwich or any barbecue dish. Great food and a great owner!
Ghoul_in lov333_
Good pricing and delicious food! Me and my husband wanted to try something new and found them on google Maps best spot ever! The meat is fresh and so tender falls off the bone?
Victor P.
I once ordered a brisket sandwich and was grossed out by the amount of fat and gristle in my sandwich. It ended up being half meat and half bulls&@t. I was hoping for this to be my great hole in the wall and was sorely disappointed. PS: don't know how the hell you get hard gristle in brisket.
Jasen Anstess
I will recommend Hotbox Barbecue to anyone looking for a delicious barbecue spot in Central Valley. If you’re in Visalia or in Merced trust me it is worth the drive. This place is my number 1 pick in the valley. The owner is down to earth and a really good chef. Had them cater an event I was having and everyone was blown away with the food.
Dang i just saw it in insta and really wanted to try it but after reading the reviews I'm not sure I should waste my time. It sounds very overpriced and not always having food available. That's a disappointment
Nina McGee
The IG reels and pics lured me in, so I traveled across town to give this place a try. I arrived shortly past noon on Monday, March 4th and when I went to place my order, I was informed that they were sold out of almost everything. They open at 11 am!I wanted the Brisket Grilled Cheese sandwich but it was not available, so I got theTri-tip and was quite disappointed. Tough and super chewy. It felt like I was chewing a Now-or-Later - like I might lose a filling if continued and that's too bad. The sauce was good. Portions were generous and the guy taking the order was very personable.I wish The Hotbox BBQ a future filled with success but you may want to figure out what's going on with that tri-tip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Sincere Fresh
Staff was really friendly and welcoming. Even though they’re located inside a Gas Station you don’t get that vibe as it feels you’re inside a meat market or small to go restaurant. The food was amazing and worth every penny, very generous servings and very tasteful. We got the 3 meats meal (1 tri tip and 2 brisket) and two beef ribs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich and Beef Rib
Lived up to my expectations, food was delicious! Definitely going to go
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich and Beef Rib
Lesley T.
Food was so delicious, by far my favourite was the beef rib, I've never had such a juicy beef rib like the one they serve. I'm dead serious, I went to this popular BBQ place where I paid 40 bucks for a rib and they swear they are the best, it was dry and jerky like texture, I didn't finish it, brought it home to my dog. I've even had heritage BBQ and felt like their rib wasn't as good as this one. The brisket was too dry for me and the bread was soft not grilled (bummer) the chilli beans were really good, I'm glad I got them, too bad they were out of potatoe salad cuz I really wanted to try it. The mac N cheese as a side is not the best, bland and not cheesy, for a minute I thought it was plain macaroni salad. This is a little hole in the wall inside a gas station so not much room. Portions are a good size. I'll be going back to try some other meats. But definitely come give them a try and quench your BBq thirst here! Great customer service, very friendly and helpful.
Amanda ybarra
Good bbq and very good serves there's really no wait time they on it. very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sondra Cortez
Excellent sandwich and fries !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leslie Titterington
It's delicious BBQ. We got the beef rib with two sides (mac and cheese and chili beans) and the brisket grilled cheese sandwich with fries to share. Delicious and incredibly filling. It's located in the Valero so it doesn't look like much, but dang really good bbq and great service.
I've heard of gas station bbq spots being hidden gems, and this was definitely one of them. The food was perfectly smoked, and had a nice well seasoned flavor. The ribs were juicy, and packed with flavor. The brisket was tender, had a nice bark, and last but not least the sausage had something I always look for which is a kick of spice. Overall the food was a great choice, and nothing was set aside with any hint of dissatisfaction.
Best Bar-B-Q I've had so far. The meats are super tender especially the Dino rib. It's fantastic!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so damn good. I got the brisket and grilled cheese sandwich, I've never had one so hot, fresh, fast, and delicious. The fries were great too!
I recently visited Hotbox Barbecue in Fresno, located at the corner of Shields and Maple, near the Valero gas station. I met Israel, the head cook, who has years of experience and a unique way of barbecuing. He's really good at making tri-tip, brisket, ribs, and chicken. The menu also has special items like mac & cheese, brisket sandwiches, and loaded fries with your choice of meat. Everyone was super friendly. I tried the loaded fries with tri-tip, a tri-tip sandwich, and mac & cheese. Watching Israel cook was a treat. The tri-tip was juicy, well-cooked, and flavorful. The mac & cheese was creamy and went perfectly with the meat. The barbecue sauce was homemade and added a great zesty taste. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a tasty tri-tip sandwich or any barbecue dish. Great food and a great owner!
Good pricing and delicious food! Me and my husband wanted to try something new and found them on google Maps best spot ever! The meat is fresh and so tender falls off the bone?
I once ordered a brisket sandwich and was grossed out by the amount of fat and gristle in my sandwich. It ended up being half meat and half bulls&@t. I was hoping for this to be my great hole in the wall and was sorely disappointed. PS: don't know how the hell you get hard gristle in brisket.
I will recommend Hotbox Barbecue to anyone looking for a delicious barbecue spot in Central Valley. If you’re in Visalia or in Merced trust me it is worth the drive. This place is my number 1 pick in the valley. The owner is down to earth and a really good chef. Had them cater an event I was having and everyone was blown away with the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork, Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich and Beef Rib
Dang i just saw it in insta and really wanted to try it but after reading the reviews I'm not sure I should waste my time. It sounds very overpriced and not always having food available. That's a disappointment
The IG reels and pics lured me in, so I traveled across town to give this place a try. I arrived shortly past noon on Monday, March 4th and when I went to place my order, I was informed that they were sold out of almost everything. They open at 11 am!I wanted the Brisket Grilled Cheese sandwich but it was not available, so I got theTri-tip and was quite disappointed. Tough and super chewy. It felt like I was chewing a Now-or-Later - like I might lose a filling if continued and that's too bad. The sauce was good. Portions were generous and the guy taking the order was very personable.I wish The Hotbox BBQ a future filled with success but you may want to figure out what's going on with that tri-tip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Staff was really friendly and welcoming. Even though they’re located inside a Gas Station you don’t get that vibe as it feels you’re inside a meat market or small to go restaurant. The food was amazing and worth every penny, very generous servings and very tasteful. We got the 3 meats meal (1 tri tip and 2 brisket) and two beef ribs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich and Beef Rib
Restaurantji Recommends
Lived up to my expectations, food was delicious! Definitely going to go
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese Brisket Sandwich and Beef Rib
Food was so delicious, by far my favourite was the beef rib, I've never had such a juicy beef rib like the one they serve. I'm dead serious, I went to this popular BBQ place where I paid 40 bucks for a rib and they swear they are the best, it was dry and jerky like texture, I didn't finish it, brought it home to my dog. I've even had heritage BBQ and felt like their rib wasn't as good as this one. The brisket was too dry for me and the bread was soft not grilled (bummer) the chilli beans were really good, I'm glad I got them, too bad they were out of potatoe salad cuz I really wanted to try it. The mac N cheese as a side is not the best, bland and not cheesy, for a minute I thought it was plain macaroni salad. This is a little hole in the wall inside a gas station so not much room. Portions are a good size. I'll be going back to try some other meats. But definitely come give them a try and quench your BBq thirst here! Great customer service, very friendly and helpful.
Good bbq and very good serves there's really no wait time they on it. very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent sandwich and fries !!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's delicious BBQ. We got the beef rib with two sides (mac and cheese and chili beans) and the brisket grilled cheese sandwich with fries to share. Delicious and incredibly filling. It's located in the Valero so it doesn't look like much, but dang really good bbq and great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5