Big Nate’s Barbeque

Big Nate’s BBQ was one of the first places I went for BBQ when I lived in San Francisco. The street and storefront was spare, but the Brisket was even better than what my friend Norm’s Jewish Mother used to make. The «Kosher» ribs (eaten under a friend’s rabbinical supervision) were a close second.
Big Nate of course is former NBA Center Nate Thurman. Last year, Thurmond retired from the BBQ business and handed the reins over to the folks from Fly Bar and Solstice, who took it over but kept the name. No longer. There’s another new régime and with a new name. But the smoker won’t be cool for long: CatHead’s BBQ is reopening at the beginning of the new year, after a quick remodel.
Goodbye Nate and Thank You for the Arthur Bryant-​like memories…

Nate, it’s been a decade of 2 since i’ve tasted your beef briskets, ribs, and links. it was a couple of memorable eats. since then i’ve stayed away from meats until recently.
i’m sad that your namesake is following you into retirement.
true, you may not be missed but you will be remembered for those evenings of pure joy licking your ribs and chewing your brisket. it was so exciting and unique!

Delicious. I didn’t have any of the sides but the brisket sandwich totally hit the spot; next time I plan on having the pork sandwich.
Only thing is that their hot could be MUCH hotter? I want to taste the spices on my tongue? Even though I ordered it ‘hot’ it definitely tasted more mild…

good food, a bit strange location.
I’ve had better, but the food is pretty good when you need some comfort in your tummy.
Definitely worth trying when you are hungry. But I think everything taste good when you are hungry.
I like the potatoe salad and brisket. the mac and cheese, I could do without.
Prices are reasonable and portions are decent.

My employee and I just ordered this for delivery and we both wish we hadn’t. The food was mediocre, but not bad enough to warrant a single, lonely star. The service, however, secured their spot in the crap-​championships.
I ordered the half-​plate of chicken with cole slaw and country beans. The chicken was pretty dry, the beans were okay, and the cole slaw had zero flavor — mostly likely because it didn’t arrive. The corn bread was good. A little dry — nothing a bit of butter couldn’t fix. I wish they had given us butter.
My employee ordered the links with mac-​n-​cheese and potato salad. The links were like something from a Hungry Man frozen dinner; dry and artificially smokey (easy on the liquid smoke, Nate). The mac-​n-​cheese was rubbery and tasted eerily un-​cheesy, if that makes sense. The potato salad was — wait for it — nonexistent. They forgot to bring that as well. They did provide the two of us with five forks, though. Golly. Thanks.
We called about the two missing side orders, only to be told that they would not be bringing us the FOOD WE PAID FOR BUT DIDN’T RECEIVE. They instead told us that they’d give us the sides on our next order. I hope you’re reading this, owner of Nate’s. This is a sure-​fire way to piss off your customers and deter them from returning.

In my opinion, the staff at Big Nate’s Barbeque functions better when the restaurant is busy. As I write this review it’s midsummer, and Big Nate’s is jumping (sorry, couldn’t resist!). On my most recent visit, a majority of the tables and stools were taken. Customers were picking up to go orders with unerring regularity. The place looked alive. Somehow, the food tasted better, too. My pork ribs were very tender.
One positive development is the placement of containers of the three degrees of sauce, hot, medium and mild, at each table, a nice change from the past practice when the server placed the sauce on your food before you get it. That always seemed a bit random to me.
Big Nate’s is my Barbeque fall back position. I’m still searching for my # 1 spot; I know there’s better out there.

SF you disappoint me when it comes to BBQ. Big Nate’s is my go to spot when I need that BBQ fix. The BBQ is ok but the sides need some work.
I find myself crossing the bridge to Oakland to find some good BBQ…

Ya… this place is pretty bad, matter of fact… no, not going to go there
I don’t think its the cook, just the quality of the meat, there was nothing «beefy» about the brisket… just straight nasty
Service and staff was good, they get the extra star /​cool sports photos on the wall, worth the visit, but bring your own food

Horrible experience from start to finish. Ordered online and had to call to find out where my order was 90 minutes later. They claimed it came through while I was on the phone. Right. In compensation for the delay I was offered a few extra side dishes and cornbread.
An hour later the food arrived. Without any extras.
I was also charged more for every single item I ordered. I don’t appreciate a bait and switch. If your website has your prices right next to an online order form, I expect to be charged that price.
Adding further insult to injury, I used the Unilocal discount code, but after the delivery guy left I realised I was charged full price.
Amateur hour.
So we’ve established the service is shit, what about the food?
Ribs — Disgusting and dried out. They smelt and tasted overwhelmingly of fake smoke. They tasted like someone had poured a bottle of liquid smoke on them. I washed my hands six times after eating only two pieces and they still smell. That is *not* natural
BBQ Sauce (ordered on the side) — I know this one is a matter of personal taste, but I hated it. It was overly vinegary and the spice just didn’t taste right. I desperately wanted to like it so we could eat the ribs which tasted awful on their own. I couldn’t…
Country Beans — Sugary. They were ok, nothing special. About on par with canned baked beans.
Mac n Cheese — Tasteless and rubbery. Threw them out after one bite.
Coleslaw — Good. Not great, but acceptable.
Potato Salad — The only thing that was actually great.
Corn Bread — Disgusting. Dried out and stale
Total cost of the meal was $ 43 + another $ 30 on ordering a pizza, so we could actually eat dinner…
Avoid this place at all costs.

There was nothing big about the BBQ at Nate’s.
I’ve been to Big Nate’s a few times now and I’ve decided that the BBQ is just O-​K. Last time, my friends and I decided to have a BBQ dinner party and I ordered over $ 100 of BBQ and pretty much tried everything on the menu.
The ribs were a bit dry, brisket was okay, pulled pork was good but not impressive. The mac and cheese was not great that night and cornbread was meh. Oh and the hot links were not hot and also a bit dry. I remember Big Nate’s being better in the past but after going to Gorilla and Smokin’ Warehouse then coming back to Nate’s, it just wasn’t the same. Is it rude to compare?

Even I know who Nate Thurmond is. Golden State Warriors. Most rebounds in a quarter. NBA Hall of Fame. He retired in 1977 and decided to open this no-​frills rib joint in 1990. Enough history. Do the ribs live up to Nate the Great’s legacy? I think the answer depends on how you like your barbecue. If you like lots of sweet sauce drowning a truckload of ribs, then this may be your cup of tea.
Jamie W. and I came here on the way back from grocery shopping. He was smart and ordered just the $ 8.50 Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Country Beans and a Diet Coke (see photo). It was unexceptional yet manageable. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I ordered the $ 17 Two-​Way Fast Break Combo of Beef Brisket and Memphis Pork (see photo). It came with two sides, Country Beans and Potato Salad. It was really enough food for a small team of migrant workers.
The most important thing is that the brisket was tender and easy to eat, but the pork was not doing it for me, too dry. I really didn’t know how much sauce would be ladled on top, but it was just too overwhelming and sweet for me to enjoy. I tried scraping it off, but it was too little, too late. The sides, served in little plastic cups, were not very satisfying. The beans tasted slightly stale and the potato salad just bland. Both needed something extra to bounce off the sauce. By the way, I tried to cash in my check-​in offer of a free corn muffin, but sadly they were out.
FOOD — 3 stars… big portions for big appetites but for Nate’s sake, order the sauce on the side
AMBIANCE — 2 stars… not much on décor here
SERVICE — 2.5 stars… friendly enough but a bit slow
TOTAL — 3 stars… Nate the Great = Most rebounds in a quarter, Big Nate’s Bar-​B-​Que = Most rebounds from my stomach

Big Nate! How about bigger portions? You are a man of the ‘cue, and I dig your focus on the goods. Your pulled chicken sandwich sandwich has no distracting veggies. There is no fuss. It’s just a chicken + bun + pick your side + BBQ sauce slathered delicious mess. As it should be.
There just wasn’t much of the chicken, and at your prices, there should be more. Be more generous with your meat, I’ll happily be more generous with my stars.

Our last experience wasn’t a good one, but three months ago the owner sent me a message telling that a lot of the menu items were updated, removed or changed.
While I haven’t been in the area lately, my husband stopped by to give it another try when he was out for lunch. He reported back to me that everything was definitely better and that we should go there some time.
We don’t go out to eat often and it may be a while till I go personally, so I thought I’d give an updated review based on what he told me about the place.
Thanks Jesse F. for letting us know about the changes you made. Looks like they worked!

After receiving an email from Big Nate’s asking me to come back in and try the new and improved brisket sandwich and the re-​adjusted potato salad, I couldn’t wait to get over there and have a taste.
First off, let me say that I was hugely impressed that a business took the time to read my review (and others) and actually made adjustments to the way they do business to satisfy the customer. This is something I find far too lacking in business. Way to go, Big Nate’s!
But enough of my blabbering and on to what matters…
You need to go to Big Nate’s. You need to go there as soon as you’re done reading my review, sending me a glowing compliment, and clicking Useful, Funny, and Cool down below.
Not only is the brisket vastly improved, the potato salad is TO DIE FOR. I can’t adequately describe how much I enjoyed this new potato salad. The brisket is moist and tender with a wonderful smoky flavor to it. And the sauce is just as outstanding as it was last time I visited. That sauce is a winner! Seriously good stuff.
Thank you, Big Nate’s, for taking the time to see what the people want and not only meeting, but exceeding, expectations. You’ve got yourself a regular customer.

In my search for good BBQ in SF I’m leaving no stone unturned.
I have had Nate’s a few times but not for years. Big Nate’s has a reputation for being inconsistent and mediocre at best and by my experiences I’d agree but I figured I should give them a fresh try so I could give them an honest review.
I ordered the full pork ribs dinner with Mac ‘n cheese and mean greens. I was asked what kind of sauce I wanted and requested hot.
First off the greens were delicious, maybe the best I’ve ever had. Sadly I don’t think a BBQ joint can make it on the greens alone.
The Mac ‘n cheese was bland, room temperature, gummy, and not even very cheesy.
The ribs were nice and long, sometimes these places cut off the rib tips and sell them separately but Nate’s gives you a very good looking rib. Unfortunately they either don’t know how to cook them right or they figure that the people that come in won’t know any better so why should they bother trying because my ribs were dry and chewy. Also while the sauce was warm the ribs were not.
I didn’t think the sauce was very spicy, barely any kick at all, but to be fair I can eat unbelievably hot food so I’m not holding that against them.
I wish someone would open up a great BBQ place in The City!

Just tried Nate’s. Had the two-​item combo — beef brisket and memphis pork (aka pulled pork). They sliced the meat off the round but then they started to chop it into cubes. I thought this was very peculiar as I’m not use to having my meat butchered in this manner. Almost as if I needed someone to cut it into smaller pieces for me to chew or something. The meat was tender and the hot bbq sauce was great. Portions were ok. Although if I had ordered just a one-​meat dinner plate maybe it would not have been enough. Price was a little high at $ 17.xx (after tax) which included my choice of 2 meats, 2 sides, and 2 slices of bread.
All in all better than Memphis Minnies but not as good as Gorilla BBQ in Pacifica. I may come back if it was convenient for me.

Big Nate won’t win any county fairs, but he does offer an alternative to BBQ cuisine that usually comes from the prepared food section of Safeway. This would be a 2 star if it weren’t for the awesome BBQ sauce making everything better, especially the spicy version! PS: It wouldn’t kill their profit structure to throw in some corn bread instead of cheap sliced bread in the massive Hall of Fame combo that is over $ 40 (post tax)!!!
Memphis Pork: Probably the juiciest meat. Decent naked, but awesome in the BBQ sauce! Easily my favorite option here.
Beef Links: Cut into slices instead of giving you one big wiener to grapple with. Pretty dry for a sausage. Even the magic sauce couldn’t salvage this one.
Beef Brisket: This could have been so much better if slow cooked longer! It was a little tough. Also they cut it into big cubes as opposed to razor thin slices. Tolerable in the sauce.
Pork Ribs: Pretty nasty cold, but not bad when warmed up in the microwave. Good firm outer edges and chewy portions closer to the bone. Many times better when coated in the BBQ sauce.
Potato Salad: Pretty standard, but with nice red onion pieces to give a kick.
Country Beans: Sweet, yet not sticky like Boston baked beans. Swimming in soupy bean juice. Decent.

Revisited Big Nate’s for some BBQ while out holiday shopping. I was in the area and I’m a big BBQ fan, so why not give them another shot.
Special of the day is a BBQ pork or beef sandwich with potato salad or cole slaw and a beverage for $ 8.95. I ordered the pork and potato salad. I added some BBQ beans and an orange soda to drink.
The sandwich came out heaping with pork cubes on a hamburger bun. It was huge. No way to eat this. The fatty chunks I mentioned in my previous review were still there, but not as many this time.
I had some extra medium sauce on the side and the sauce is good. Nice and tangy and not too sweet. Little tiny bit of punch to it too. Beans were kind of flavorless, unfortunately. Disappointing. Potato salad was very good, though. Much better than the cole slaw I ordered last time.
Much improved Nate. Keep up the good work.

Ok, I’ll preface this review by saying we had been moving into our house all weekend long. I had gone all day without eating anything but a bowl of cereal so by the time my in laws arrived with Nate’s, I’m pretty sure a cardboard box would have been tasty to me but I rthought it was pretty good. It’s not my favorite (Phil’s BBQ in San Diego is by far the best in CA) but I’d go there again.
We got two slabs of pork ribs, some BBQ’d chicken, cole slaw and potato salad. I don’t know, maybe we got a good batch but there was plenty of meat on the bone. It was a little tougher than I like though. I really liked the slaw because it was light. It’s normally drenched, which I hate, but this was nice and light.
I can’t think of anything else witty to say… It’s worthy of 3 stars.

Big NASTY Nates.
Let me start off by saying this place is Horrible. Its not even close to being decent BBQ. 3 stars? Nice try guy. Truthfully, I wouldnt even feed this stuff to my dog.
Overcooked, cold, dried, and real real rough chewy meat. Im talking about all the meats, not just the nasty chicken. From the ribs, links, chopped up brisket and pork that was not properly pulled. They must of cooked it a few days ago. My jaw was aching from all the chewing and chomping, No lie. There were chunks of meat stuck between my teeth. You’ll definitely «stay flossin» like Mr. Mike Jones in this joint.
Their style of BBQ is keep the meat overcooked, cold and chewy. Then when the customers come in to order, they throw the boiling nasty bbq sauce on thinking it will warm the meat up.
The seats and tables were donated in 1994 I believe, from a local elementary school. Theres a whole bunch of 1960 – 1980 photos all over the walls. These photos are there for distraction, while they chop up and serve the nasty cold meat they call bbq.
Basically, please dont waste your time coming here.
Stay on the freeway and head to Gorilla BBQ in Pacifica CA. This is the place I recommend for REAL BBQ. They like to showcase their meats, not drown it in doo-​doo sauce.