Orange County’s Popular Underground Barbecue Gains a Permanent Space

Underground Orange County sensation Heritage Barbecue is expanding into the brick and mortar realm, opening a standalone location in San Juan Capistrano this year.

According to local barbecue blog Kevin’s BBQ Joints (and confirmed by Eater), Heritage owners Brenda and Daniel Castillo will jump to a sizable spot on Camino Capistrano, adjacent to the historic San Juan Capistrano mission and near the busy train stop. The former Mission Grill address is currently under construction, with hopes for a fall arrival.

The new space should offer plenty of room to smoke brisket, ribs, and chicken in the low and slow Texas style that Heritage has become known for. So far, the Castillo’s are focusing on lightly changing the exterior look and the patio mostly, but they’re also trying to add a stand-alone contained room for a pair of 1,000 gallon offset smokers. If successful, Heritage Barbecue would be among the first fully permitted barbecue restaurants to use offset smokers anywhere in Southern California.

Heritage Barbecue’s plan is to open by this fall, working a menu that includes the basics as well as tri-tip, pulled pork, and seafood. Hours will run 11 a.m. to sell out. In the meantime, catch them popping up across Orange County, including this weekend in Huntington Beach.

Heritage Barbecue. 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA.

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