Mission St. BBQ

On the west side of Santa Cruz, Mission St. BBQ is the kind of place that earns its regulars for life. The pits start smoking at sunrise and the smell alone is enough to pull you off the sidewalk. Award-winning brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, and ribs are served alongside craft beers in a casual, counter-service setting with indoor and outdoor seating. Friday and Saturday evenings belong to live blues, when local musicians take the small outdoor stage and the whole vibe shifts into something genuinely soulful. It is a family-owned operation with deep community roots, and the combination of great food, cold beer, and real blues played just a few feet away makes it one of the most satisfying casual music nights anywhere on the Monterey Bay.