Chef Edwards Bar-B-Que

We are moving to Rio Vista this week. We were visiting our new home last week and decided to try out a restaurant in the downtown area. We happened upon Chef Edwards Bar-​B-​Q and gave it a shot. Very friendly and helpful owner. I had the baby back ribs with mild BBQ sauce and my husband had the chicken with hot BBQ sauce. Note: when they say hot BBQ sauce, they mean HOT BBQ sauce — it was very spicy, just the way my husband likes it. We both enjoyed our meals. The ribs were delicious. The side dishes were so so, I had the potato salad and beans, but the BBQ more than made up for it. We will definitely be returning to try more dishes on the menu.

Lots of basic choices on menu. I had the two ribs and beans side dish. Excellent –need lots of napkins if you get ribs. Great unique nostalgic atmosphere. Excellent service by «Chef» himself. Super friendly personality.

This place has great BBQ! It takes me back to the days when I used to frequent Flint’s in Oakland. Nothing fancy, just great BBQ food. This is a small little place, but if you are in the Rio Vista area you need to check it out. I had the brisket, it was the bomb! Great sauce as well. I will make a trip back soon to try other menu items. The owner was there and was very friendly, overall highly recommended!!!

Stopped on a whim pulled pork sandwich was really good and really liked mamas coleslaw. My husband had the ribs and brisket, ribs were good but the brisket was not fresh … Very tough. Bathroom also needs to be cleaned!

Happened upon this place today with the help of Unilocal.As I walked in the the door I was informed that they were closed until 5. Bummer… But wait. Chef stuck his head out of the kitchen and asked me if it could be Togo. I said Yes, and he proceeded to make me the most delicious pulled pork sandwich. Outstanding customer service and the food is equally outstanding. Pass through rio vista this is a must check out. FYI. THEY ARE NORMALLY OPENED ALL DAY, they were only closing for a couple hours because Chef had an important family event, and he still was kind enough to make my order.

Got a slab of ribs today and all the fixins that come with it. Ribs were tasty and not too tough. Sauce was plentiful and tangy. The service was quick and very friendly. One thing is for sure, I’ll be back again soon. Besides, I’ll have to try their brisket and chicken.

Best BBQ you will ever taste in your life! Smothered with the secret family BBQ sauce recipe, you will crave the flavor of this BBQ again and again, but you will only find it here! Don’t forget the homestyle mac & cheese! Delicious! And the warm, inviting, «welcome home» smile from Chef Edwards is the cherry on top to an excellent experience! Bravo!

Some of the best ribs I’ve ever had! My wife and I attended an event that was catered and the BBQ was amazing!

Went here today for the first time. I was a little worried as lately bbq places seem to be very dry.
The service was outstanding. My fiancé got the chicken dinner and the meat was falling off the bone it was amazing. I got the piggy wiggly was the best pulled pork sandwich I have had in a long time highly recommend it.
Overall food was great service to match. I will be recommending this place to all my friends and family and even strangers on the strret.

I was so happy to find out Chef Edward came back from retirement and opened a new location in Rio Vista, CA. I used to have food delivered when we were both located in Oakland. The BEST BBQ/​soul food I’ve ever had!!! from all the different meats to the mac&cheese, greens, beans, etc. my all time fav thing to get is the hot water cornbread! absolutely delicious. Edward is the sweetest man and remembered me even though he hasnt seen me in over 4 years. Love you Chef Edwards!!!

I had lots of hope when we saw Chef Edwards opening and gave them two tries but the brisket was mostly fat, the ribs chopped across the bone and full of bone chip and the sauce basically just catsup with tabasco sauce — being from Texas I was very disappointed and can not recommend this restaurant

The pulled pork sand which is awesome. This is easily the best pork I have ever had in my life. It simply melts in your mouth. If you are in the area you should definitely stop by and try it.

Passing through Rio Vista and feeling very hungry we did a drive by and stopped here. A quick Unilocal showed Chef Edward Bar-​B-​Que would be the go to place for lunch. Very good baby back ribs and the potato salad was top notch. As I have tried some of the BBQ places on the grid here in Sacramento, the ribs at Chef Edwards are the best restaurant ribs I’ve had so far, same go’s for the potato salad. When in Rio Vista and feeling like BBQ this is your place. The sauce could use something but with his cooking method the sauce go’s well with the ribs. I always use the potato salad as a ‘test’ like measure when eating BBQ as it is always offered, and his is the best I’ve had at any BBQ place I can remember. I think I’ll stop by next time I’m in Rio Vista and get a rack or a half rack to-​go even if I’m not hungry !

You drive up to a very unassuming little place in the equally unassuming little town of Rio Vista on the beautiful Delta. You walk in and receive an authentic and friendly greeting from Chef and staff. Have a seat at one of the five picnic style tables and read the menu located under the plastic.
We had the baby backs and brisket. one word. Winner! The meats are tender and the sides are like my mama made. If you grew up on greens, cole slaw, mac and cheese and tater salad then you will appreciate this meal. End with the banana pudding with Nilla wafers. Oh lord this may be my mamas house!
I’m so thankful that Chef settled out here in the Delta, he just made living here feel like I’m near my mamas cooking again. And I will make it a regular pit stop like I did my mamas place before she passed. Thank you Chef for continuing to share your hospitality!

Chef Edwards and I go way back. I was a manager at a startup in downtown Oakland during the dotcom boom when a co-​worker turned me on to this undiscovered BBQ joint on San Pablo. Pretty soon I was regularly making the trek of several blocks (and passing up numerous more convenient offerings up and down Broadway) just to get one more helping of the best BBQ I’d ever had. Before too long, I had Chef coming to see me regularly at the office, to cater my lunch meetings.
As we all know now, it wasn’t going to last, and in a short time those days came to an end. My startup folded, and I made one final hike down the street to get my last meal. I told Chef I wouldn’t be coming in anymore, nor would there be any more meetings to cater. Inevitably, other area businesses followed suit, and Chef could no longer be sustained by the halo effect from those high-​flying dotcom times, when money was seemingly everywhere. He closed his doors as well, and became a delicious BBQ memory.
Fast forward 12 years. I relocated to Sacramento and now work for a Fortune 30 financial services company, my life with startups well in my rearview mirror. One day I googled Chef while daydreaming about those BBQ lunches, just to see what had happened to him. Imagine my surprise when I found out he reopened in Rio Vista of all places. *Rio Vista*!! It was only a small detour from my delta commute between Pittsburg and Elk Grove! Longing to experience my favorite BBQ once again, I resolved to stop by for dinner after work.
Guided by GPS into unfamiliar Rio Vista, I pulled into a parking spot right in front of Chef’s new place. (Unlike many «old town» type downtown areas, parking is plentiful here.) When I walked through the door, Chef recognized me immediately. We shook hands and talked about old times, almost like no time had passed at all. How many restaurateurs do you know who would recognize a customer after a 12 year absence? Chef’s assistant Devon, a worthy understudy, helps run things now. I plopped down at one of the picnic tables and he took my order. I had to go for my favorites — a combo with brisket, chicken, and beef ribs, with baked beans and candied yams for sides. It was a lot but I had 12 years to make up for. What’s amazing is that everything was exactly the same as it was in Oakland. It was like eating in a time machine!
Chef has a varied menu that is not all that different from the one he had in Oakland. Brisket is my favorite of everything. A lot of people like the sandwiches, too. I tend to fill up on BBQ and go for the combos. Whatever meats you pick you will not go wrong. The sauce complements them perfectly; both mild and spicy are offered. Sides are tasty and authentic. The candied yams are sweet with the perfect texture, and for me make a nice dessert. Chef will serve you a slice of chocolate cake if that is more your thing.
I couldn’t be happier that Chef and I have picked up where we left off, and he’s now a regular stop on my commute. Just as I did in Oakland all those years ago, I look forward to my next trip to see Chef with feverish anticipation.
TL;DR Chef is off the beaten path now, but it’s well worth the drive. He’s been doing this a long time, and when it comes to BBQ, he knows what he’s doing. Don’t miss it.

This is a lovely restaurant. From the minute you walk in you are greeted by a very friendly team who make sure that you feel the warm breeze of southern cooking. The smell is intoxicating and very inviting. The interior is lovely. I felt like a child again who wanted to pull down the radio flyer wagon from the shelf and take it into the picture of a forest that featured proudly on the wall.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and my partner ordered the catfish sandwich. We had to wait 20 minutes for the catfish to be cooked but in my mind this is a good sign of fresh quality ingredients.
The chef even came out to ask me if I wanted crinkle fries which I was very happy about. I mean a salad is good at times but sometimes only fries will do :)
The pulled pork was sweet and sticky which is just the way it should be. The Au Jus gravy was absolutely delicious and it was devoured quickly with the aid of my bread roll.
The catfish sandwich was very good. The seasoning and crunch on the coating was delightful and the fish was tender and flaky. My only regret was that I didn’t order it for myself even though my roll was wonderful too.
We ordered of the lunch special menu and paid approximately $ 6 for a sandwich with fries and a drink.
This was very good value for money and I really felt as if I was in soul food BBQ heaven.
Well worth a visit if you are ever on Rio Vista.

We went last weekend and really enjoyed our food and the service. Great place… we’ll go back again.

What a meal! Had to stop in Rio Vista to try and grab something to eat. It’s always tough driving through that town — MainStreet is deceivingly off the 12. But four blocks off the 12, down real main street sits, Chef Edwards. By chance pulled in front and barbecue sounded like a good idea. Turned out to be some of the best I’ve ever had. Chef Edwards and Kevin turned out to be two additional gems as they were great for conversation and great service. Thanks again Chef!

Clean as a whistle. Friendly people. Great spicy sauce. Can’t wait to go back and try the «piggley wiggley» pork sandwich.
Give them a try if you like BBQ – good smoke flavor.

Happened to be cruising through town and it was lunch time. Once again, Unilocal saves the day! We were looking around for some grub when we found this little BBQ place on the list. Being big fans of BBQ, we couldn’t resist.
We could tell we made the right choice when we walked in and could smell the food. Only one of the handful of the tables were occupied, so our timing was right on. There was just enough time to check out the menu before we were waited on.
The food came out fast and just as we imagined. I ordered the piggly wiggly, which it seems they are known for, and P got the rib tips. We also had sides of mac & cheese, potato salad and mama’s slaw. Everything was pretty tasty and super tender. But… We both asked for mild sauce and their «mild» bbq sauce is pretty spicy! If you aren’t into spicy be warned!
We topped off our meal with an awesome peach cobbler. All in all, it was a great meal, and the service couldn’t have been better, even though the place was packed by the time we left. The chef/​owner even came out to check on us! Apparently, we weren’t the first to stop in based on a 5* Unilocal review.
Only thing that would make it better is if they had a real mild sauce for us wussy people!