If you need a casual meal in the Napa Valley, I usually recommend Buster's or Taylor's. Both are terrific and yet very different from one another. Buster's (thankfully) escapes the masses because it's in sleepy Calistoga, whereas it's possible for pregnant women to give birth in the line at Taylor's and still not have food by the kid's first birthday. For a real "no fuss" dining experience, Buster's is the best bet. The food at Buster's is satisfying, though admittedly not earth-shattering. Part of my problem is that the pork and the tri-tip can be (almost always are) overcooked. It's a total bummer because the food is delicious when cooked perfectly. Also, I never eat here since we live close by, but the seating area is meh. If you can take the food to a sunny location or home, I'd recommend that instead. Besides the dryness/overcooked issue, I've got few complaints. The ribs, chicken, hot links (my favorite), the mac salad, potato salad, baked beans, garlic toast, and cole slaw are all AMAZing. The BBQ sauce is killer, but be warned- when they say "hot," they mean HOT. Even the mild sauce is hot for someone like my dad. Go with mild unless you like to be in pain after your meal... the mild sauce is by no means any less flavorful or fantastic. Buster's mild sauce = slice of heaven. It's not dirt cheap here, but compared to all the expensive eateries in the Napa Valley, Buster's is a steal. Hours can be sketchy, so call ahead and make sure they're open!
(4)
Rick B.
Tasty and affordable. Easy to find right on Hwy 29 with ample parking and seating. Their "keep it simple" approach is part of the reason people keep coming back.
(4)
Bryan M.
Bomb. Tri Tip tasty. Hot link yummy. Beans mmm. Lemonade woo hoo. Price right.
(5)
William M.
This is some of the best BBQ I've had. The hot BBQ sauce was in fact very hot, but it was also very good. I definitely preferred it over the mild. I had the tri-tip sandwich with the baked beans and both items were spectacular. The homemade lemonade just made the dish complete. This was definitely well worth the drive, and we'll be going back again.
(5)
Wendy D.
Stopped for lunch and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Disappointed in the amount of meat on the roll. Brushing a roll with butter does not make it garlic toast ( plus no flavor of garlic at all) too much juice in the meat so the roll started falling apart and about 2 tbsp of coleslaw. With a small soda, $12; a bit too pricey for what you get. The flavor of the pork was good and very tender. I think if they just paid a little more attention to how they serve their food it could be really good.
(2)
Raymond L V.
Had lunch here with some friends yesterday. I had the tri-tip sandwich with hot bbq sauce and a side of slaw. I really enjoyed it but be careful ordering the hot sauce. They are not kidding it is flaming hot! I am okay with heat but I can see how that average person would leave with their mouth on fire! I would recommend ordering your sauce half regular and half hot. The slaw was a perfect foil to the heat. I will be back!
(4)
Rory H.
Texans and the other Southerners on vacation this is where you can find refuge. Big picnic tables, lots of napkins and some messy barbeque. The sauce is the dark maroon stuff and a lil tangy sweet. The spicy sauce will lite you up with plenty of pepper so make sure you got lots of drink. The meat is nice and smokey, I don't think you could order something wrong here just whatever you get make sure its smothered in sauce. Then all you need is some cold shiner bock and Texas Country Music playing and this place could be somewhere down in the Hill Country.
(4)
Andrew G.
The solid BBQ corner stone of Calistoga CA. The wafting scent of hardwood BBQ is unavoidable to hungry travelers passing through. On a warm spring day there's nothing better than getting elbow deep in a BBQ pork loin sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans and a ice cold lemonade. I save this meal as a ritual treat as the prices is rather high and the distance makes the stomach grow fonder.
(4)
JP M.
This was my secret BBQ Hideaway over the last several months. I could just shoot in for a great tri-tip sandwich and head back to work. Now it seems that everybody has discovered it, since they did a remodel to the outdoor seating area. Now I find a line every time I go there. Ummm....stay away....the food is awful....yeah....it's is NOT GOOD at all. Stay away especially on Fridays between 11:30 and Noon when I am trying to grab a quick sandwich.
(5)
Lisa J.
All you really need to know is that seconds before you approach the driveway you will smell the heavenly aroma coming from the smoker. This is the best kind of BBQ joint -- no pretentious, overdone, stuffy restaurant here. Just a counter with quick service and a seat-yourself lunchroom-style dining area. We ordered the tri-tip sandwich with potato salad side, and the Pork Ribs meal with baked beans and cole slaw. You have an option of medium or hot sauce and I had seen other reviewers notes about the hot so we both played it safe. The sauce is AMAZING. Lightly spiced, a bit of sweet and a bit of vinegar. The tri-tip was perfectly cooked, very tender. Served plainly on garlic toast with plenty of sauce sopped all over it, sloppy-joe style. My husband thought that the portion was a little on the small size but both of our tummies were happy when we walked out, so maybe this is like "I could have eaten that till I was sick" too small. He loved the potato salad -- not too mayonnaisy and very flavorful. I loved mine, but have to admit I have had better pork ribs before. They did not quite fall off the bone. But the smoky flavor was awesome with the sauce and I ate every last morsel. The baked beans are yummy but the cole slaw was just okay. We stuck with soda's but they did have bottle and draft beer and a few wines. If you are in the mood for BBQ, this is well worth the stop.
(4)
Plus U.
Got a tip from a local at Old Faithful to give Buster's a try. It was 100% worth the visit. Tri tip sandwich was outstanding with sides, cornbread and the infamous hot sauce. Next time I'd go 1/2 hot 1/2 regular on the sauce - don't forget this next time you visit. We'll be back someday, thanks for some sweet Southern cooking, Napa style.
(4)
Jess T.
The boyfriend bought me some Valentine's Day BBQ. Flowers and chocolates don't got nothing on a solid tri-tip sandwich. And this, my friends, is a solid tri-tip sandwich.
(4)
Edward C.
went here about two years ago, it got a lot of hype from all the locals we met. it was really good and hit the spot after some wine tasting. looking forward to visiting again when i ride though...
(5)
Julie F.
Who would have known that Buster's existed on the way to Calistoga! We drove by and saw all the meats smoking outside and we knew had to stop and try it and apparently so did everyone else! Buster's was pretty packed, I guess considering it was lunch time there was a long line! Good thing for the line because it took us forever to decide what to order. We finally settled on the "dinner menu" tri tip sirloin in hot bbq sauce and pork ribs with sides of beans, potato salad, mac salad and of course their YUMMY texas toast. The food was excellent and devoured completely! Seems like Busters is the place to go on a bike or in a car!
(4)
Stacey R.
Top of the line BBQ joint! Smokes out the intersection daily! You cant miss it. Friendly staff and Buster is the BBQ master.
(5)
Kevin A.
Amazing bbq! Although the quality has gone down this place is still my favorite bbq place to go. If you haven't tried it you must! Just be careful the hot sauce is extremely hot!!!!!!!
(5)
C. L. B.
I don't think about this place often enough. The BBQ is good, consistent, and flavorful. Every time I am here I promise myself that I will eat here more often. To make a perfect world I would change two things - I think the sides are limited, and I like to have pickles and onions with my BBQ. Also, the staff is always cordial, attentive, and quick with your order, and the place is always clean. Definitely the best place in Napa Valley to eat BBQ! See my BarberQ review.
(4)
Joel A.
Shuckin and jiven abound. One of the last customers on the close of a busy day. Staff was as good as the food, tri tip sandwich one of the best in the west. Don't change anything and I'll be back more than once or twice.
(4)
Claire G.
Hands-down our favorite roadside barbecue in the Napa Valley. Cannot beat their fresh and delicious tri tip sandwiches with their homemade barbecue sauce and beans. It's a do not miss while in Calistoga. PS gets very busy on the weekends!
(4)
Tracy B.
We ate here for the first time today. We so wanted to love it, but there just wasn't anything special about. The meat was decent (a little fatty, a little chewy) quality but tasteless by itself. The sauce was the only flavor and it tasted like canned chili dog seasoning. The two sides we tried were not any better. The coleslaw wasn't bad but a little fruity for my taste. Speaking of taste, the macaroni had one taste, Salty, with no other flavor, unless you count the cayenne after-burn. Perhaps our BBQ taste leans more towards Kansas City-style, than southern style. But, for us, this was a miss.
(2)
Gina L.
Incredible barbecue! I had the pork ribs(delicious!) and the pork loin(great flavor, better with the sauce) with hot sauce on the side, they are not kidding when they say the hot sauce is HOT! The boyfriend got the pork ribs and tri tip(amazing! I was jealous I didn't get it myself) with the medium sauce on the side(just the right amount of spice). The garlic bread was really tasty as we're the macaroni and potato salad sides. Coleslaw was a little sweet for my taste but still a solid 5 stars. A must try if you're in the area!
(5)
David W.
havent been here in years, but me and lady were visiting good ol napa valley this weekend and I gotta say, Buster's still got it! Had my usual, tri-tip sandwich w hot bbq sauce and a side of baked beans. I mean whats not to love? this place gets busy fast, something to keep in mind during lunch time. Also the chicken sandwich is on point!
(5)
Sharon K.
Discovered this as I was driving in Calistoga. Smelled this from the road and immediately did a u turn to try them. OMG insanely delicious!!!!! Everything was perfect! Not overly salty but with big flavors. Their hot sauce was SPICY!!!! Just awesome!!!! MUST MUST try!!!!!
(5)
Derek S.
Great little spot that really hit the spot. I had the bbq chicken sandwich with baked beans and a corn bread muffin. The lady had the pulled pork sandwich. Both were excellent. the BBQ sauce they use is perfectly sweet and tangy but not too spicy. The lemonade was way too sugary but overall the food was great!
(4)
Charmaine S.
10/19/13 Comatose!! This place is so GOOD!! The portions are amazing and the BBQ is authentic and delicious. Small spot near Napa. Definitely a hidden gem. Definitely find this spot to sober up and soak up some of that wine before heading back out for tastings.
(4)
Paul C.
First of all, Buster's saved my day. On our trip back from San Francisco to Reno I had planned to take the long way up 101 and stop off at a "trendy" country restaurant that has become quite popular from what I understand. But, alas, they were closed (don't know how I didn't see that on their website) so we were in wine country with no plan at all. BUT, this is how my wife and I have found some of the best food in our travels. So, off I went winding through the back roads and enjoying the lovely scenery. We found a place to pull over and become oriented and, one quick check of Yelp later, my wife mentions Buster's. BBQ is NEVER a bad idea if done right (I am from Texas so biased) so I thought that may be a good option since we were only a couple of miles away. She read a couple of reviews and I couldn't get there quick enough as this fit our IDEAL location. 1. Hole in the wall? Yep, a shack is more like it 2. Open pit bbq with a pit master present? Yep, right off the main road and a huge grin on his face 3. All sorts of meat and side selections? Yep and yep 4. Reasonably priced? That is an understatement - VERY affordable I had the pulled pork and hot link with the spicy bbq sauce (yes, I was sure I wanted spicy and no it did not disappoint - don't get spicy unless you REALLY like spicy). I had sides of potato salad and bbq beans......WHAT AN AWESOME MEAL!!!! Tender, flavorful, so perfectly on point. I am always disappointed in the lack of links on the west coast but this link was so juicy and you could see the smoke ring. My wife had the tri-tip and pork ribs - the tri-tip was perfectly cooked, so tender and was one of the best we have ever had. She said the ribs were just as good. So, I went from a zero for the closed restaurant to a hero for the beautiful wine valley tour complete with bbq from the "shack".
(5)
L.B. M.
Ribs here are definitely the highlight of the place.They're also good with their baked beans and coleslaw. They're always super busy, but they still make the food quickly enough. Soda here is good.
(4)
Eric C.
Food was ok and the sandwiches were very bread heavy. IMHO not true southern style BBQ for my tastes. Sauce is different and not your typical Carolina style sauce or Kentucky sweet which is more traditional. Almost overpriced for the quality. Also the chili dogs had no chili, only pinto beans which they call chili. Would avoid the chili dog if you want chili.
(3)
Scott S.
I was forced to come to this place while while on a limo wine tasting tour on a friends birthday. At first I was skeptical. I mean who in their right mind would open a southern bbq place in Napa? Well excuse me as I remove my head from my ass. This place is absolutely amazing! This may be.... no wait it is my new favorite place to get quality bbq. Now it is possible that the 7 or 8 glasses of wine I had prior to coming here influenced my opinion, but the tri-tip sandwich I had was quite possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had period. The meat was so tender if I had no teeth I would have had no problem. Now since they have a warning sign about their HOT sauce I had their regular bbq sauce and was not disappointed. The sauce was perfect. I would swim in it if I could. The potato salad was ok., but not perfect. But I would recommend the corn bread. Omg.... it was great. Thank you guys the food was outstanding.
(5)
Mike A.
I recommend the Tri tip. It is really good here. The ribs are full of fat and not enough meat. Chili beans lacked meat. It just taste like regular beans. But the pork beans were on point.
(4)
K J.
Love this place. Love the trip tip sandwich with extra hot sauce and the macaroni salad!
(5)
Rachel H.
My friends and I came here before going to a winery because we got hungry after driving from San Francisco. It's a very casual place, and the meat on the BBQ pit looked so good! I wasn't too hungry, so I just got a hotdog. But it wasn't an ordinary hotdog! It was more like a wurst, which made this BBQ place seem so legit! And the bun was great! It was perfectly toasted and nice and buttery and garlicky inside! BTW, you order at the window, which is in a separate building behind the dining area.
(4)
Janet S.
Great hole in the wall bbq stand. Wanted something substantial to fill our bellies before we went wine tasting. Had the pulled pork which was so tender. Hubby had the hot link sandwich, in which they put two links. Just the right amount of heat. I heeded their warning about the hotness of their sauce and ordered it on the side. The hubby, who has a high tolerance for heat, said it was hot, so I didnt even try. Reasonably priced, it will satisfy your craving for bbq.
(3)
Brendan P.
This was our second trip here. On the first time is when I discovered California try tip and fell in love. Since that time I have made it several times at home and feel that I have perfected it. I was very happy to return to the site of my first tri tip. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Maybe it's because I have gotten so good at making it but the second time around was just not as good. In fact I showed up around 6 o'clock and they tried to serve me a very overdone piece of meat. We were purchasing the half tri tip for $26 so I felt this was unacceptable and asked for a more rare cut. Of course they did not have it but asked me to come back 45 minutes later. Because I was so desperate to have it I did this. It was indeed more rare but was still not as tender or delicious as I remember it being as I make it at home. In summary if you are unfamiliar with the California tri tip I would recommend going and trying it for yourself. But if you are in aficionado I think he will be disappointed
(3)
Allan A.
One of the best BBQ place ive been in norcal my favorite are tri tip and bbq beef ribs that fall from the bone top it with half hot and half mild of their home made bbq sauce.
(5)
Tara M.
We had the trip tip sandwich which was very good. they have HOT and mild sauces. The HOT is EXTREMELY HOT. My husband ended up getting the 50/50 sauce, half hot and half mild. It was very good! The side dishes i could have done without. I had the chili which i didn't care for and my husband had the baked beans which were good. Staff was very nice and quick, however they always have a line! definitely a nice little lunch spot.
(4)
Candy G.
If you love BBQ, you must visit Buster's while in Napa. The tri-trip with the spicy sauce and baked beans is a winning combination. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Mo G.
Buster's is a casual joint right on Highway 29 as you enter Calistoga. You'll see the smoke rising from the huge grill outside. It claims to be Southern, and the sauce is definitely tangy and sweet (that's the mild sauce), but they have California Tri-Tip instead of the usual southern brisket. A bit of a western twist, if you ask me. I tried the pulled pork sandwich and baked beans. The pork was succulent and delicious and the sauce was a perfect complement. The beans were tender. The sandwich weighed about 3 pounds and when I finished, I immediately wanted another one. Service is counter-style, but friendly and fast. There are indoor and outdoor tables and a counter to sit at. You'll need a lot of napkins - thankfully, they have industrial sized dispensers. There's a great beer and wine selection, but since I went at 11 AM, I did not partake. I think I'm going back tomorrow. How do I hide this habit from my wife???
(4)
Cristina Z.
Brisket is so tender and the ribs are to die for! That sauce is what makes it! There is a line so prepare to have someone sit at a table for you. Very casual, clean. Good service. You can smell the BBQ from miles away! Definitely worth the drive. Lucille's got competition!
(5)
Juan V.
Omg.. Amazing. It's a must stop location. Pulled pork and chili is to die for...
(5)
Meg N.
So this is one of those places you either have to be on a mission to get to or happen to be in the area and make plans for lunch. If you get a chance though I would make this the lunch choice. Absolutely mouth watering is a great way to describe it. This is comfort BBQ at its best. Huge portions so if you don't eat a ton like me you will either have left overs or choose the route I went and share dishes with the group. We went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwhich, you can do a la carte or get the meal so that also helps with how long you want your food coma to be. Their macaroni salad side is actually quite light on the mayo so I found it delicious. They have a variety of suaces ranging from mild to spicy. I am the first one to go for spicy but their hot sauce would put me on my arse. Ask to try before you smother your food in it because it has a huge kick! The meat on the ribs basically slid off the bone if you tapped it on the table and the huge chunks of pulled pork were thankfully gristle free. I have to give props to the bread as well that was used for the pulled pork because it stood up to the mounds of meat and sauce without getting soggy but was suprisingly soft. I love how they have a huge outdoor washbin too so the unavoidable mess you make eating this is easly washed off. I also highly suggest going for the housemade lemonade. It is the perfect combo of lemony and sweet without leaving you feeling like you've been eating sugar. Vey refreshing!
(4)
Alice C.
I didn't realize there are hole-in-the-wall places near Calistoga, which offer good food at good value. We stumbled into here after a wine tasting trip, and hearty BBQ is great after getting a bit too happy on wine. You order at a window of the kitchen, and eat at a separate hut which is a makeshift dining room. The dining room is not air-conditioned, of course, but it works. I got the tri-tip plate with baked beans and potato salad. They have 2 types of BBQ sauce -- regular (mostly sweet) and spicy. They are really strict on no refunds if the spicy sauce is too spicy, but it's also impossible to get them to put some sauce in a little cup to try, so there's no way to know if the sauce is too spicy or not. Definitely feeling the sauce-nazi vibe there. However! The tri-tip was amazing. It was juicy, tender, and flavourful. I really like the baked beans as well -- it was on the sweet side, just the way I like it. I'm not too keen on the big slab of garlic bread though -- it was not toasted through and I couldn't taste the garlic in the garlic butter. Overall it's a nice place to stop by in Napa Valley, especially for those who wants yummy food on a tighter budget.
(4)
Chang Soo K.
I tried here because of many reviews of yelp. I had two combo which are tri tip(5 slices), baby back rib (3 pcs), beer, and soda. It cost me $28. It was extremely expensive for quality and it's taste. I would not write further because I do not feel like it.
(2)
Joshua W.
Haven't had the pleasure of trying the BBQ here yet, but I was recently given a jar of Buster's hot BBQ sauce and I've got to say I was blown away. I'm a 7th generation Texan who takes his BBQ seriously, and the sauce from this place stands up to any I've had. Simply outstanding with the perfect amount of heat to balance out the sweet.
(5)
Jo W.
Hours of drinking led to hunger so afterwards we headed to Buster's Southern BBQ for some well, BBQ. We got the works; ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, mac and cheese, coleslaw and cornbread. The corn was moist and very good but way too sweet and the food as a whole was pretty cold.
(3)
Justin C.
Food seems inconsistent, with sometimes delicious, sometimes not so great meat. Their sauce is the only thing going for them, so buy the hot sauce! But keep in mind when they say hot, they mean burn-your-lips-off hot! Prices also seem to have risen in the past few years. They have good baked beans, cold slaw with pineapple I think, and pasta salad is ok. Get the tri-tip sandwich or dinner if you must eat there, and ask for half and half hot/mild. -1 star for price -1star for inconsistent cooked meat
(3)
Darcy R.
We made the drive to Calistoga to try this place for lunch. We ordered the tri-tip and pulled pork sandwiches. The bread was smothered in butter and too soggy to eat. The meat was good, but not sure about the sauce? We chose the baked beans for the side dishes and they were super sweet! Cornbread was an extra $2 Overall the food was fine, but probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
Tara S.
If you've ever had real BBQ this isn't it. It might be California good, but it ranks among any other raodside west coast BBQ in quality, but with wine country prices. I showed up at 6PM on a Friday and it was dumping rain so it wasn't crowded. Dark chicken was dry and seemed like it had been sitting out for hours. pulled pork was boiled in a gray liquid (my biggest BBQ peve), tri tip was tough and fatty and spare ribs were dry and over cooked. Sauce was decent but honestly my spouce and I had to try both hot and regular to find out which was which. Hot had a little back of the mouth Cayenne heat but not HOT!! by any means. Rub was mostly salt and wasn't noteworthy. I'm pickey about BBQ so maybe don't read too much into this review, but don't expect to be wowed. The sandwiches are a good value, but if you're buying meat samplers or by the pound you'll pay close to the same prices as the bistro fare downtown.
(3)
jeff e.
We happened upon this incredible bbq place after visiting Napa and Calistoga. My wife and I split the 3 item combo. We got the pulled pork, pork ribs and chicken. We ordered the mild sauce. So good! Everything was so tender and flavorful. We didn't need the bbq sauce, but we used it anyways for added spice. Potato salad and baked beans rounded out our meal. We ended up buying 2 jars of sauce to take home. Spicy for me and mild for my wife. This place rocks!
(5)
PuNkrAwKpUrL g.
The Tri tip was amazing! Super tender meat, very little fat, and really great flavorful sauce. I was so tempted to try the Hot, but felt like using my taste buds later in the day! (when I see a sign saying "The Hot sauce is VERY HOT, no refunds!"... I tend to believe it.). a BBQ joint should have amazing meat. And Buster's sure does! But lets chat about the sides.... Potato Salad: it was creamy and delicious. Not sugary, no icky black olives or weird veggies added. Just potatoes and a heaping dose of yummm! Baked Beans: I'm not a huge baked beans junky, but based on the reviews I decided to give em a go. OMG.... These beans were so good that we were fighting over them & I wanted to take a pint home! Cole Slaw: I typically shudder at the mere mention of it. But the dude loves it & it's a BBQ staple for him. I tried it & it was super yummy. Bright crisp flavors and textures... no soggy limp cabbage here. Also... a hint of pineapple juice methinks. The beers were ice cold and the patio was shady with the aroma of BBQ wafting all around! Who needs wine in Wine Country?! I'll be back for Buster's BBQ!
(4)
Michella T.
Surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting much being where it's at, but I was wrong. It was fantastic tasting. The sausage and ribs were outstanding. Nice and spicy if you so choose. Not much of a place, but it's BBQ. Kinda pricey to me, but right in line with most things in this area. Definitely go and enjoy some good BBQ
(4)
Karen N.
We were here for an extended weekend getaway and had Buster's twice. Buster's is a nice alternative from all the fancy schmancy restaurants around here. As we just can't do fine dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we decided to give it a try based on the reviews. Our first visit was around 4pm on a Friday evening. There were only a few locals there at that time. We ordered the three combo: tri tip, pulled pork, and chicken with cole slaw and baked beans as sides. The tri tip and pulled pork were great, but the chicken was dry and hard as rock. Perhaps they had grilled the chicken during the lunch rush and it was just sitting in the kitchen for a couple of hours... so one star less for that... The baked beans was the bomb! So creamy and "buttery" and delicious! We went back 2 days later and got the three combo again, this time replacing the chicken with pork ribs. The ribs were nice and juicy, and we got an extra side of baked beans!! Buster's definitely serves authentic southern BBQ, and is a must-try place if you are visiting Napa Valley.
(4)
Ryan D.
Tri-tip sandwich...Everything else is great, but I come for the Tri-Tip...mild sauce...if Ya get the hot, well...you'll find out...staff is friendly, usually run in to Buster himself...place is clean and more than likely playing some light jazz...easy motorcycle parking...a great stop before heading out or heading home!
(5)
Randy R.
Smells nice. That is when I decided to try the BBQ. The line was long so I really thought this was the place to be. I got the combination plate to go. Tri-Tip with pork ribs. Very disappointed with the Tri-tip. The Tri-Tip had too much fat around the edges. We didn't get a knife in our container so I had to take a bite of the Tri-Tip to bite it off. Ribs were OK. My wife didn't even finish hers because it was hard to get the meat off. Little plastic cup of BBQ sauce, not enough to make a good BBQ. You could pay $1.75 for an extra cup. Not impressed with the coleslaw or potato salad, also in just a small plastic cup. $20.00 plus tax for a so so meal. Glad others enjoyed. My last time there.
(2)
David B.
Quirky roadside BBQ favored by bikers. The tri-tip and ribs were good, but the baked beans, cole slaw, and cornbread were all surprisingly delicious (small portions though). Walk up window ordering and small, indoor table setting worked well enough. Certainly not high end. The BBQ sauce was too much vinegar for my taste (I prefer North Carolina style sweet) and all the warnings scared me away from the hot and spicy. I would go again just to try the pulled pork. They were still cooking it in the parking lot on our visit. NOTE. Do not order the iced tea. I expected more than a flat, metallic taste but probably should not have been surprised when it was poured out of an ancient plastic pitcher.
(4)
J. Randy G.
Stumbled upon this place as we were turning around. For a roadside, this was pretty decent. Warm sunny day, line was a about 6 people deep. A nice surprise to find the dining area to be air conditioned. Food ~ had the Tri-tip sandwich with coleslaw and a side of cornbread. The meat was tasty and not too fatty. I like hot or spicy food and found the sauce to be flavorful with a bit of a kick. I went with about 50/50 Mild/Hot combo.
(4)
Aine F.
NOT the best barbecue I have tasted. The barbecues are not hot off the grill, just lukewarm. We ordered the 2 meat combo - tri tip and pork ribs: 3pcs of dry & chewy Tri tip, and 2pcs of pork ribs. The pork ribs I was able to eat since it's passable, but not tasty at all. The tri tip... Naaaahh! ... The coleslaw side dish is actually good. But side dishes are very small, placed in a litte sauce cup. Maybe the reason why i gave this joint an extra star - due to coleslaw. Totally NOT worth it for $20 worth of lunch/meal. We could have gone somewhere else better if not for the 4 star reviews. Will NEVER come back here at all....
(2)
SARA E.
Clint is such a polite gentleman. Made my experience @ busters, will come back!
(5)
Linda M.
Finger lickin' good. For casual picnic table fare in this area...I'll take Buster's over Taylors Refresher any day. Their tri-tip sandwiches are very yummy. I got the "mild" sauce and it was amazing with a nice zing of spicy that wasn't overpowering. My macaroni salad side was good...not real heavy on the mayo, which I like. Washed down with a Sierra Nevada. And they've got hotdogs for the kiddies. Plus milkshakes and ice cream cones. I can't believe I've driven by this place hundreds of times and never really taken much notice. Thank you yelpers for showing me the way to a little slice of BBQ heaven. I will be back...again...and again.
(5)
John S.
Yahoo, hot BBQ sauce that can hold it's own! As others have said, really good tri-tip sandwich, and the hot BBQ sauce was actually hot. Nose-wateringly hot! Perfect! It's a must stop, but if you're not big into hot sauce, go for the mild. For me, the hot was just right...
(5)
Kira R.
Any sandwich that requires a minimum of four napkins to finish means serious business! My second time here and I found myself smiling at the "People Love Us on Yelp" sticker on the window, holding my steaming hot pork loin sandwich drenched in BBQ sauce and thinking, "I gotta post something when I get home!" I just visited Buster's on a freakin freezin day that totally screamed for a hot meal instead of my lonely cold chicken sandwich in the car. Sitting under a heat lamp with my face warm and my stomach happy was the best thing ever! My only regret -- I should have ordered the Hot BBQ sauce so my mouth would be on fire too! (Good tip: You can order half mild/half hot if you're not sure you can handle the nuclear heat!) Yea, you could opt for fancy white tablecloth dining as there is plenty of that in Calistoga, but this is one place that rocks when you want a down home meal: three bean salad, baked beans, homemade buttery corn bread, potato salad, tender pork loin, it couldn't get better! Grab yourself a wad of napkins (trust me, you'll need it!) and pull up a picnic bench. I love the simplicity of Buster's. It has the ambiance of a random roadside bit of heaven that you, and only you, just happened to stumble upon along the road to wine country.
(5)
K. D.
Meat quality good, Tri-Tip was tender, side dishes good, hot links meaty and not fatty. Mild sauce had good fire without being overwhelming. Service was fast and efficient. Walk up to order, no table service, but side room to sit and eat. Corn bread was extra and not as delicious as other yelp reviews claimed.
(4)
maranda w.
Buster's is GREAT BBQ! My personal notes on a fine establishment: THE GOOD 1. The tri-tip sandwich is the one YOU WANT. This should be the first thing you try there. The bread smothered in Garlic Butter is enough to make me weak in the knees thinking about it! 2. the sides are reasonable portions. I know that's not what every guy wants to hear-- but i really appreciate them! They're around 4oz-- just the right size to try the beans, the potato salad, etc... without feeling terrible about it. 3. Plenty of seating inside--which is a little bare bones, self serve style-- which is fine by me! You can also sit outside easily, and there is even a hitching post for your dog! A bowl of water is there as well. They also have a little side-seating area that might be good for louder groups of families. 4. the prices are SUPER reasonable for BBQ. I think any bay area dweller would agree, BBQ is expensive... Buster's prices are awesome. A big dinner for 2 is around $20. 5. Finally, TRY THE LEMONADE. amazing! THE BAD 1. the smallest bathroom i have EVER seen. I'm not kidding. I could barely close the door. I was probably a little obscene. 2. Its right off the main drag in Calistoga so I feel a little 'tourist trapped'... but the food is so good there I am most definitely going back.
(4)
Jeremy L.
Southern BBQ...not even close... The lady taking our order was super rude and really treated everyone in line like a second class citizen. I live in the Napa Valley and will tell everyone I know not to go to this place because of this rude old hag....whiskey tango to say the least. Memo- If you work at a BBQ place don't think you are better than everyone...just shut your mouth and refill my ice tea...oh' yeah, that will be an extra $.50 a cup. RIP OFF....GO TO GOTT"S and don't waste your time.
(1)
Heidi C.
Their BBQ sauce is BOMB. I only tried MILD. I think I will try the HOT next time but since it was 100+degrees out this past wknd, I didn't need to sweat anymore. Just to get it out of the way, I'm taking off 1 star for the amount of flies that were hover over and around us as we sat and ate our delicious tri-tip. GRR In any case, I opted for just straight up meat: half tri-tip for $11ish I believe. The sandwich ($7-8) looked good but since the garlic bread was brushed a few times with glistening butter, I passed immediately. I was also able to try the pork loin which was a bit on the dry side but nonetheless good. Their mac salad is delicious too and has a hint of chili spice -- oo wee! Their hot links were spicyyyyyyyyyyyy. I had about an inch of it and I wanted to die. Buster's is now definitely my go-to place in Napa Valley to get some food in between winery hopping. I love tri-tip!!
(4)
Randy V.
OMG. The best BBQ I have ever tasted. Would be 5 stars but dining area is a little "rustic". Don't let that stop you from trying, absolutely delicious. Try the Tri Tip sand.
(4)
Craig S.
A friend at work told me about this place and I couldn't wait to check it out. It surpassed my expectations. I was going to order the ribs, but then I saw the tri'tip sandwich...o'boy was this baby good. Tons of meat, fresh bread, BBQ sauce flowing, baked beans...hold on...I need a moment. My wife had the hot link sandwich and said it was great. It had 5 large chunks of hot link and was smothered in BBQ sauce. Needless to say I loved it. We brought our kids as well and there was a ton of outside seating. Cant wait to go back. One Tip: Be Aware of the "HOT" BBQ Sauce. I love hot stuff, but this was beyond hot. You don't want to ruin your experience by thinking you can handle the heat. My advice, get the hot BBQ sauce on the side and add as much as you like.
(5)
Angie Q.
We visited this BBQ joint after a sparking wine tasting. Grabbing a bite here is super easy and quick, we ordered ribs, tri tip sandwich, and potato salad. The meat was tender and juicy, the sauces were tasty. Definitely a place worth visiting. Seems like a lot of locals frequent this place.
(3)
Tasha V.
Love this place. A regular stop on the way from the lake back to the Bay Area. YUMMMMM. Like it all, especially the trip tip sandwich with extra dippin sauce! OMG, late night craving!
(5)
Susan G.
What a disappointment! We had been looking forward to visiting Buster's for some fantastic BBQ. The portion sizes are large and filling. That is probably the best I can say. I really wanted to ask the woman behind the counter if "Buster" was still cooking because I find it hard to believe someone with any BBQ experience made the food we ate. Really, the BBQ Beans were like VanKamps with a little brown sugar tossed in. The Hot BBQ Sauce was indeed HOT. However not flavorful. The meat did not taste smokey. I did feel the BBQ on the way out, it was warm, but probably not from cooking. I've had much better from my own backyard BBQ.
(1)
Deserei P.
Tri tip sammie is a must :) with mild sauce. I get the hot sauce on the side so I can control it but my hubs goes all out and just slathers it all over his meat ;) As much as I like the sandwich, I dislike the sides and never order them.
(3)
Cynthia B.
Good BBQ but not the best I've ever had. The service was fast and very pleasant. The sandwich roll was fresh but the sides served in little plastic containers left much to be desired. I'll probably skip it next time I'm in the area.
(3)
Rebeca R.
This place is just what we needed after a day of wine tasting and driving around. The meat was cooked just perfectly, the spicy sauce was HOT (thank you!), and the crowd was fun to watch. I do not give them 5 stars because of the "cafeteria" environment where you order and pay first and have to go back in line to get an extra beer, but do not be misled, this place is great!
(4)
Kaliko L.
Tri-tip sandwich is amazing!!! This place is so bomb!! Yummmm.. If you've never tried it, you will not be disappointed!!
(5)
Rachelle V.
We stayed in Calistoga with the kids when we decided to make my husband's business trip into a little family vacation. There are not many options of family friendly places to eat so we were excited when we saw Busters and the good reviews. However this place left us very disappointed. We thought they use way too much cayenne pepper in their sauces both mild and spicy. We love spicy, but a ton of cayenne pepper just leaves a long last taste in your mouth and is just gross. They even put it in their macaroni salad, enough that the salad is almost red. The pork ribs were cooked decent. The beef ribs left a lot to be desired. The chicken was okay. The coleslaw was sweet and OK. If you are like us and find yourself with your family in the land of fancy restaurants then I guess it is an okay option but otherwise there is just too much good food just down the street to waste a meal here
(2)
Loc N.
BBQ was decent, not especially memorable. The pork was tender, but overly sweet especially when paired with the pineapple coleslaw. The tri-tip -and the woman "manager?" working the counter- had a crusty exterior, but sinewy and grisly inside.
(1)
Gabrielle J.
Words cannot describe the greatness that is Busters. Deeelish BBQ greatness. Whether your carcass choice is chicken, ribs, pork, or hotdog, all are bbqd to moist perfection and slathered in your choice of "mild" or hot BBQ sauce. The reason I call it "mild" is that even this mild sauce will leave your lips burning for hours and you better not scratch your eye or anything for the next day for fear of spicy residue gettin in there. As I have an unaturally high tolerance for spicy food, I get 1/2 1/2 "mild"/hot and it's worth every bit of heartburn discomfort you may experience for the rest of the day. I have been coming to busters practically my whole life and the consistent greatness is worth another star in itself. 8 bucks gets you a paper plate loaded with a 2 giant slabs of garlic bread, filled with your choice of meat, topped with some fire, and a side of your choice.
(5)
Calvin N.
We'll definitely be back. The meat is great, the hot sauce is actually HOT... actually it's REALLY HOT. The portions and prices are right. The flavors were better than anything we've had in the city. It just tasted fresher. I also had a chance to meet Buster in the morning when he was manning some tri-tip over his wood grill. Very friendly guy with a love for Northern California.
(4)
Tim C.
Everything here is good. The sauce is excellent and very HOT!!! I usually order the Hot Link sandwich and am never disappointed. The only thing I didn't care for is the cashier seems to always be in a bad mood. I understand that this place is very busy but come on. I have been here a dozen times at least so i won't let that sway me at all. Beans and potato salad are solid. The last time I went I tried the Sweet Potato pie and will be definitely be ordering that again.
(4)
Paul M.
Damn good BBQ, I don't know if I'd call it the best in California, but It's got to be one of the Best in Wine Country. You can catch the smell as soon as you get 1/8 miles from the place, draws me right in. Tri Tip is what I get everytime I go there, which is about once a year or so. The Hot sauce is great. Nice place to stop in after a nice ride. Get's pretty packed on the weekends. I hear the Pork is fantastic, but I'm stuck on Beef for now.
(5)
Rachael S.
We had just left a winery and were heading out for home. We were a bit hungry and smelled this amazing aroma of bbq. This was my first visit. The parking is easy, we didn't have any trouble parking. You order at the window and pay. Then you wait for them to set your plate up. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with half-half sauce because the guy in front of me did - it was awesome! The baked beans are the creamiest and sweetest beans ever. Once you pick up your food you can go into the seating area where it's super casual and you sit on picnic benches. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area, the bbq was to die for!
(5)
Bill B.
Just like the stars say, it is as good as it gets. I am 59 years old. I have lived in the South for several years. I have had bar-b-que in a lot of places. This place has the best ribs I have ever eaten. Even at the first bite, I knew they were the best I'd ever had. After the first one, I tried one with the sauce. The sauce was excellent wtih a strong dose of chili flavor. I don't know why so many people were getting sandwiches and pulled pork and stuff like that. The pork ribs were excellent. I would not even waste my time getting anything else there because they ribs are so good I want to save every bit of my appetite for them!
(5)
Maricela G.
I happened to discover this place while looking for a place to eat lunch. The bbq smoke, smell and the people waiting in line made me curious to try out this place. You can see the workers slicing up the meats and serving customer's plates while in line. I chose the tri-tip sandwich with the baked beans and freshly made lemonade. As soon as I bit into my sandwich- I was in heaven. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender- its one of those moments when you can't stop eating because the food is so good. The bread was warm, mild bbq sauce- delicious, baked beans a little sweet, but good. The lemonade too sweet. I also ordered the sweet potato pie- the edges were burnt, besides that it was a delicious treat. I live in the bay area and can't wait to come back for another trip tip sandwich- it was the best. The employees and the owner were very nice and friendly. I can only speak of what I tried- and I loved it. Positives: Clean tables. Friendly Employees and Owner. Perfectly cooked tri-tip, on soft bread and delicious mild bbq sauce perfectly cooked and tasty baked beans delicious sweet potato pie- Negatives: 1 1/2 hr away from Bay Area very sweet lemonade burnt edges of the sweet potato pie
(5)
Mgh S.
Delicious I loved the beans and I don't even like beans! The ribs were pretty good too the prices are fair and there is enough seating!
(5)
Logan E.
Got the chicken sandwich and macaroni side. The price is expected for being this far up valley. Sandwich was great, didn't put it down (mostly because there was so much good sauce oozing out of it though lol. My only concern was the macaroni. Can't finish it, I literally feel like I'm eating from a jar of mayonnaise. That's all I taste. Will try the beans next time.
(4)
Kim D.
So after some wine tasting at Castillo de Amorosa we went here to eat lunch. There was a little line forming but it went by pretty fast. They have your BBQ standards. I went for the mild sauce since everyone claims the spicy one is super spicy....in actuality the mild was kind of bland to me in terms of spice and my coworker that got the hot said it wasn't that hot. I guess depends on who you ask but I can handle heat so I should've done spicy. I got the pulled pork which was tender and very filling but my coworker's tri tips were the ones to get. It looked more satisfying but overall all of us were full even with our tiny side we had. It was so big and messy to eat with a fork and knife which was a first for me but easier to attack this massive thing. I liked everything for what I got with price and all. I'm not sure if I got more food than that I would've finished it. And price in comparison to other places in wine country wasn't so bad.
(4)
Denny B.
Pulled pork sandwich was really good. Tri tip and sausage plate was really tasty with the extra hot sauce. A must stop along Hwy 29.
(3)
Caroline T.
I've never in my life had BBQ this delicious. Everything is perfection! The sauce, the ribs, the potato salad and the baked beans! To die for. Even the bread was seasoned and cooked perfectly! I don't know how he does it! My only problem is that I live 3 and 1/2 hours away! I cannot wait to get me some more on my next visit!!!
(5)
Michaela V.
Ordered the pulled pork and tri-tip sandwiches. Both we so good! The meat was excellent quality and cooked expertly. A good rub would not hurt them at all to pull together the meat and sauce, but still yum! The sides we ordered was where the stars start to come off. Macaroni and potato salad tasted the same, very blah. A little salt, pepper and garlic would have really helped. Beans are beans, pretty hard to ruin them. Corn bread was fine but a little stale. Another star off because for what we got, the price was a little high. Overall, not a bad place. Probably won't go back though.
(3)
Nadia N K.
Best BBQ & what a hidden Gem!
(5)
Shane F.
Not the best BBQ in the world, but nice to see in Napa and Northern California. We'll keep coming back for a satisfying pile of tasty affordable food.
(3)
Sharon C.
Delicious, tender juicy tri-tip sandwich, smothered in the best BBQ sauce ever,. Damn! Finger licking goodness! Coleslaw was nice, crunchy yummy! Good selection sides, beans are the bomb!! Nice selection of beer. Big rolls of paper towels, to wipe what you don't lick off your fingers! Yes Finger Lickin' goodness!!!!!
(5)
David R.
Been to Buster's a few times before, and it was an OK experience. This time, we ordered a full rack of ribs, and a tri tip dinner. The side of cole slaw was even more sweet than the last time, as were the baked beans. Too much sugar in both, for our tastes. Then the ribs - fatty, over cooked, and too salty. The tri tip was very dry also. Price for these two items was around $42.00, a bit much for salty, dry meat. We tried both sides of bbq sauce, and again, they were way to salty. I've never had a sauce taste of salt before. Time to move on for us....
(1)
Philip M.
I am so disappointed in my fellow yelpers....This is not a 4 star BBQ joint!!! The food was cold. The ribs were below average (beef and pork). The service was anything but exceptional.... And I waited 30 minutes for this. I am too kind to only give one star...
(2)
Natalia H.
Love BBQ. No frills just straight up delicious bbq! We shared the tri tip, ribs, and pulled pork combo. It came with buttery bread and a couple of sides- the baked beans were delicious! Not canned beans either...actual marinated cooked beans! A lot of food. But a lot of GOOD food! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
(4)
Gus H.
Great spot for a casual meal. Perfectly good bread & sides but the meat is the star, juicy, plentiful and cooked right. They'll warn you about their hot sauce and they're right --it's actually hot, and also nearly addictive.
(4)
Ginny K.
Magically delicious! The Tri-tip Sandwich dinner with mild sauce is hot, my husband gets mixed hot & mild. The BBQ sauce is fantastic, the garlic bread used for the sandwiches is great by it self as well. Wow and the cornbread muffins and frozen lemonade is great too! The sandwiches are expensive but you get a lot of food and quality. There is one Hispanic guy who works there that is a jerk and should be fired for negatively commenting when I ordered 6 pieces of corned bread 9 (one for each kid that I had standing next to me), he was acting like I was the fattest person in the world and I was going to eat it all. Several other times I have visited this restaurant and he was there he has been rude and disrespectful as well. However I am rating 5 stars still because he is just one employee that most likely won't be employed there for very long. The rest of the staff is awesome and friendly and give you lots of food, so much I split in half and eat half for lunch and the other for dinner.
(5)
Ryan C.
For BBQ busters gets a 5 stars rating. Be warned! When buster tells you that you need the mild sauce, don't be offended just take the mild sauce. I told buster I could take hot and my tongue was on fire all weekend. The combos are great and prices are reasonable for good BBQ. It can't get better than this especially when you are kicking it in one of the best places on earth.
(5)
Crystal R.
We decided to take a Saturday morning drive through wine country and like fat kids... we got hungry. But being cheapies and having our puppy with us, we were somewhat limited to where we could eat that wouldn't be overly crowded or insanely fancy, but we happened to stumble upon Busters. We actually passed Busters and said "what's that smell?" then flipped a B and drove straight into their parking lot. It's a great little restaurant that sits right on 29 perpendicular to the downtown area of Calistoga. The best part about Busters, to us, would be the outside seating. There's a lot of it and when you have dog with you, it makes everything so much easier. The food was great and it was served quick. We got the BBQ Chicken and Tri-tip. LARGE portions. Seriously large. The baked beans were fantastic, the garlic bread was great and like everyone has been saying... amazing cornbread. I remember reading about someone's review on the cornbread being soggy because there was too much butter on it.... What? Too much butter? I've never had to say there was too much butter on anything in my entire life. How can you have too much butter on cornbread... *face palm* I digress. This place is great. Come just a little before noon and you'll miss lunch time traffic which on the weekends will definitely consist of hungry people and long lines. We shall be back.
(5)
Bri O.
Delicious BBQ stop. Messy, just as good BBQ should be. You can see the meat smoking on the grill outside. Nothing fancy: paper plates, seating is outside on benches or on a small covered patio. Everything was delicious.
(5)
Carmen W.
Not so great. The mild sauce I should have gotten on the side because it was full of chili powder and tasted terrible. I have never found a BBQ sauce I've disliked this much. However, my brother got the hot sauce and thought it was okay. The pork without the sauce was good. The cornbread was dry and the people were partially friendly( somewhat rude in line). Not again.
(3)
Michael D.
Great Tri-Tip, will go back for sure.
(4)
Kris V.
If you love juicy smokey and tastey tri tip, this is a must stop. I try to stop here whenever I am in the area. I have not sampled the whole menu, far from it. The first time I ordered the tri tip sandwich and I can't ever break away from it. Simple perfection. You will have a choice of two sauces and one side. If you like spicy I would suggest you first go with a 50/50 of the mild and hot bbq sauce. The spicy is very very spicy. I really like the coleslaw side. A little sweet for some. I love the chunks of pineapple though. Best bbq in napa and sonoma counties.
(5)
Joseph T.
Great BBQ and perfect refueling for the body when on a motorcycle ride. 4/5 because last time I went there it was just, okay.
(4)
Suzy S.
I suppose I expected more and received less. I'm a sucker for a good tri-tip sandwich and I was disappointed in Buster's after reading all the hype. I give the food a 2 and an extra star for very friendly service. We both ordered the tri-tip sandwich which we thought was pricey for the size of the serving. The side potato salad serving was minuscule and not very tasty. The side order of beans was better but still just ok. The seating is interesting. You order at a counter and take your food to a separate building next door to eat. There you'll find napkins galore in dispensers located around this big room. I think our experience would've been more positive if we weren't trapped with several screaming children (and parents) in close confines. With so many wonderful spots to dine in this area, we'll skip Buster's and move on.
(3)
Stefan P.
Kind of meh - good but felt a bit overpriced. Don't choose the spicy bbq sauce, which was just stupidly hot!
(3)
Sasha T.
Ok - so I got this issue with BBQ!! I don't know, blame it on growing up with backyard bbqs, family, dominoes and music!!! So the thing is --- there are these rules. 1) no gas gills! (I mean who invented this contraption??? And why oh why would you like the taste of propane in your food?); 2) no bbq sauce while cooking - if you want it add it later... But seriously, if the Q is kicking %ss and taking names, why suffocate it in sauce?; and 3) slow cook it - cuz burnt Q is not cute!!! Busters has got it down!!!! One day, I hope to meet the master himself, but until then, I'll just keep eating the man's slamming Q. Whodda thunk it... Q in Calistoga???!!! Yep! Check him out! Take it from a glam diva who knows good Q - Finger licking good!!!!
(5)
E.j. E.
Tri Tip Dinner is on point!
(4)
Anna R.
This is a must for all my wine country trips when I am as far up North as Calistoga. My spontaneous Napa trip yesterday with one of my girlfriends along with an out-of-state friend that is visiting ended up at Buster's after hitting Mumm, ZD Wines, and Frank Family Vineyards. My friend was born and raised in South Carolina and he was willing to give California BBQ a shot since I was raving about this place all day throughout our tastings. Buster's starts smoking their meats early on in the morning and finishes them off in their little shack later. The smell permeating from the place onto Highway 29 is tantalizing and beckons you to pull over and indulge in some slow cooked meats. This time we opted for a rack of the pork ribs (favored by most customers over the beef ribs since they are meatier and fattier, making it a juicier rack overall). Rather than having them lather the rack with either their mild or their HOOOOTTT sauce (yes, it is frickin' hot and they have warning signs all over their order windows to the likes of "hot means hot"), we asked for them to give us both on the side, as I like to mix the two together to create a tolerable heat whereas my friend likes to have his mouth set on fire over and over again with each bite. My girlfriend isn't a big fan of ribs, so she got a tri tip sandwich. We also got some baked beans, potato salad, corn bread, and 2 375ml bottes of 7 deadly zins zinfandel which they conveniently sell. The pork ribs were phenomenal as always and my southern friend was very impressed and devoured his half of the rack very quickly. Buster's BBQ sauces are super flavorful and I love being able to mix the mild and the hot to my liking. The potato salad has a good spice and nice crunch to it, and although the corn bread isn't the best I've ever had, it is very good. My girlfriend loved her tri tip sandwich, and who doesn't love having their sandwich bread basted with melted butter? Yummy! Once again a successful feeding frenzy after working up an appetite at various tasting rooms. Buster's BBQ rocks!
(5)
El Z.
I have had lots of BBQ in many different places (mostly in The South), and Buster's was probably the worst BBQ I have ever had. The sauce was lacking in flavor and totally uninspired. I can't believe this place survives and stays in business. I ordered 1/2 chicken. The lady chopped it up and informed me the white meat pieces were a bit undercooked, and she asked me if it was ok to put them in the microwave for a minute or two. What was I going to say, "no, please serve me raw chicken"?? I should have canceled my order at the point, and saved myself the time to write this review. Skip this place and go find some real BBQ.
True barbecue. Love the tri-tip and chicken - my boyfriend loves the pork. For lunch, the tri-tip sandwich is a never-fail, but beware - the lines get really long during peak lunch hours, but it moves fast. Also, as their sign says, when it comes to the sauce: HOT MEANS HOT! The mild has great flavor and still a little heat, so unless you are looking for burning hot, go with the mild. Your mouth will thank you!
(4)
Jessy R.
RUDE MEXICAN that works there. Simple orders were given by me and my friends and he was lashing out at us. When my friend asked him if he was okay he said yes, and just kept on being rude. If the food wasn't so good homeboy would of been hurt. The only reason why I am giving two stars is because the food is great as always, but the Mexican's got to go!
(2)
Terri P.
If I could give 6 stars, I would! Not only was our meal delicious (tip sandwich and baked beans) but the staff was so awesome when I accidentally left my purse behind! Carlos was so great and would not accept my $$ to say thanks. Of Course I put it in the tip jar! Great food! Great staff!!
(5)
Katherine F.
We wanted a cheap lunch...and as everyone knows that is a tall order in wine country. This spot was so close to our B & B that we gave it a try. Very down-to-earth...picnic tables and a small enclosed area. Order at the window. We shared a Pork Shoulder with mild sauce, potato salad, chili beans and a cornbread muffin. I did no try them, but Hubby said the potato salad was not great, but the beans were pretty good. My opinion was that the meat was great, but I did not like the BBQ sauce, it tasted like tomato sauce and brown sugar... The cornbread muffin was a bit old, and way to sweet for my taste...and I know, many folks like it that way. We might go back for a hot dog, but clearly it is just not our style of BBQ. The price and atmosphere were just right!
(3)
Jessica N.
Buster's was pretty solid BBQ. We got the tri-tip sandwich. meat was well cooked and the hot sauce was spicy but not unbearable. The secret is to get it on the side so you can control how much spice you want. The sides were just ok though. Beans ok, mac salad tasty but nothign special. What sucked was at 7:30 or 8p at night they closed the dining room so we had to sit outside. Napa gets chilly at night! Would be a great place to hit up in the middle of the day though.
(3)
Fidel M.
Best BBQ in town! Love busters! One star because I got ripped off. Recently I went to go pick up half a tri tip for the family dinner while visiting and the Hispanic lady cut up a 1/4 of tri tip and try to say that was half. I decided to get the full instead since it didn't look enough tri tip. She just took out another piece of tri tip and gave me half of it. So basically I paid for 5/8 of tri tip at the price of a whole. Since I didn't want to argue, next time I'll just tell her to give me a whole piece and I'll cut it up myself. She needs to take a whole piece out next time and cut it in half, right down the middle not use a piece that has been already cut up and assume its half
(1)
Christina W.
You NEED to order the tri-tip sandwich with cole slaw. You're welcome. But really, it's so good! The sandwich is on a HUGE roll with each side grilled and covered in butter and garlic. The meat is so tender and it's covered in your choice of BBQ sauce. The cole slaw is amazing too; it has chunks of pineapple in it, which really works well with the cabbage!
(5)
Eri K.
I came here with a couple of friends because of a recommendation and thanks to Yelp. I decided to go with the Tri Tip since everyone reviewed it and said it was good. I went with the bandwagon. I ordered the Tri Tip sandwich that came with 1 side dish. I ordered the baked beans. Also ordered the HOT barbecue sauce on the side with corn bread. Everything was delicious!! The tri tip was very tender and the medium sauce that came with it was delicious as well. The HOT sauce is pretty hot (even for my spicy standards!), but I couldn't stop eating it. The corn bread was a tad oily and I felt kind of bummed since they just microwave it to heat it up, but it was just OK. (also..the meat is in between garlic toast, which gets soaked with the sauce) I'd definitely come back here to eat the tri tip again. *cash & credit // sandwich + 1 side only was about $10 *parking lot is very small, eating area also pretty small if it's a busy time
(4)
Omar S.
We were in Napa doing a few wine tours and wanted to grab a bite to eat. We drove by this little garage looking building with a separate dining area. I checked the reviews on yelp and noticed they had a 4 star review so we decided to check it out. Boy, I am glad we did. This was by far the best tri-tip I have ever had in my life. Their homemade corn bread was so moist and delicious. I will definitely go back if given the opportunity once more.
(4)
Stephanie T.
By all the great reviews, I'm wondering if we caught them on a bad day. When we pulled into parking lot, I commented that there was no BBQ smell but they had customers and that was a good sign - right? We gave it a shot. Two tri tip dinners were ordered. The sides tasted like they came out of a can and the sauce was over-powering and pretty awful. The meat was tough and full of gristle. We ate our meals and vowed to do research next time.
(1)
James R.
I am from the South and miss common BBQ joints. Now that I live in California there are limited choices for a budget minded resident of Napa Valley. The food is good. I just wish I could find collard greens and corn bread to eat with it.
(4)
Jeremy R.
If ya served it in the south they'd run ya out of town. Mucky pulled pork "stew", dried out chicken, overly sweet cole slaw and baked beans from a can. Surly service and a chilly dining room further detracted from the experience. Head to Gotts or Taylors for a quickie or Farmstead for a fine meal but don't waste you money here.
(2)
Brian P.
The best pulled pork sandwich of my life.
(5)
Pearl L.
You can smell this place down the street, and when you pass by, there is a giant grill with various meats grilling to perfection. Came here for lunch with some friends and we fell in love. We got the Ribs and the Tri-Tip plates, and it was absolutely delicious! BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT SAUCE. I love their hot sauce, but it is crazy hot and spicy!! If you do get it, make sure to get it on the side (which is what we did). Good sides, good prices, perfectly cooked meat. The only downfall is the swarm of flies, so guard your food! Overall: I definitely recommend this place! Will be back!
(4)
Melissa A.
Really good! Everything
(4)
Paul D.
Like others have said, this used to be a must stop while in Calistoga. Unfortunately, portions have decreased by more that 1/3 while prices have increased more than 1/3. Additionally, one sign states minimum charge for credit card purchase (which I believe is against card policy). Another sign now requests you "use cash to keep prices down". Makes you wonder how else they keep prices down - doesn't it. Reluctant to give you tap water. Still tasty, but more of a high priced appetizer. PS. Yelp, you should check the price range. It would definitely be at least a $$ now.
(1)
Dia Z.
This place is good. The barbeque is pretty legit, but I hate to admit it, I might choose Armadillo Willy's before Buster's. It had good food at a good price, but my husband and I went out of our way to go there on our honeymoon, and I think there are a few other places we'd go out of our way for next time.
(3)
Hollis K.
Great biker hangout.....hot link and a couple ribs.....crystal geyser bubble water and a double espresso.......sets me up just perfect. Good honest bbq and watch the hot sauce.....it's really hot.....love this place. Very unlike so much of the overcooked sugary crap that gets passed off as bbq.
(5)
Jocelyn L.
I love the West Coast and love almost everything food-wise here....but I'm convinced that I can't find good BBQ on the West Coast. Maybe I've been spoilt by Memphis BBQ (Blues City, Corky's, Commissary)...but seriously, if this is "awesome", then i'll save my stomach space for something else. Summary: Tri-Tip: Pretty good; i definitely prefer this to the Ribs Ribs: eeeeks. the sauce was good, but the meat was WAY too tough. Not at all lik the fall-off-the-bone type typical of Southern BBQ. Maybe it needs to be cooked longer. a LOT longer. I did not enjoy this at all.
(2)
Laurence W.
We tried to drive by, but the smell of BBQ was overpowering. Quick u-turn and we pulled into the lot. Wine and cheese sound silly when you can have Buster's BBQ. I tried the chicken sandwich with a side of baked beans and spicy BBQ sauce. The chicken was delicious, as were the beans. I don't recommend the spicy BBQ sauce -- as much as I like spicy food, it completely overwhelms the flavor of the chicken. Be smart and order the mild; be even smarter and ask them to go easy on the sauce since the meat itself has more than enough flavor to stand on its own. Full as I felt afterward, I was tempted to order a second sandwich on the spot. Luckily, my colleagues reigned me in...
(4)
John W.
If you want beef ribs go early. I'm two for two on them running out so far but still trying. This time I had the pork ribs and tri-tip combo with a side for beans. Both very good and cooked perfectly. The sauce is top notch... They have a regular and spicy sauce and if your the slightest bit gun shy with "heat" you will beware. Even I have them mixed the two to detone it a bit. ... and when it's poured over the meat and mixes in with the beans. OH YEAH!
(4)
Jason P.
Best BBQ in the Napa Valley Area. Great meats and awesome sides. Very reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. We stop by here to eat every time we are in Napa (even though it is all the way up in Calistoga) because it is just that good. Also get the rubs and sauces, they are amazing!!!
(5)
Art H.
We went day trippin' to Napa and Sonoma counties. It's dead on winter now, perfect to see Calistoga and St. Helena when it's quiet and the local s rule again. Hint - take the Silverado trail from Napa to Calistoga, rather than the main route. It's much more tranquil and bucolic; with the sun out yesterday it was just great to tool along, listen to jazzy tunes and bliss out. We puttered along and finally got a bit hungry as we got to Calistoga. Ve spotted a few motobikes parked under the sign and announced lunch was on. The grill/smoker looked and smelled great. We ordered the pork ribs dinner plate, which I piled a side of corn bread and chili beans. She got tri tip and topped it with slaw and corn bread. We sidled over to one of the tables under the tent and worked our way through 30 minutes of finger linkin' fun. The sauce is hot but tasty....mmmm. I agree with previous reviewers, the tri-tip can verge on being overly dry, but it's fairly lean and I know it can be difficult to maintain tenderness when it is. The pork ribs were yummers. The slaw was surprisingy sweet and wet, and the corn bread, although a tad small, was tasty. No white bread here, a couple of crusty garlicky toasted rolls were helpful in sopping up the remaining sauce.
(4)
Zach L.
Buster's is a must try for any BBQ fans in the Northern California area. Nestled in arguably the most beautiful part of NorCal, Buster's BBQ is a very casual and simple eatery. Sitting just outside of Calistoga proper is this road side "shack." You can smell the smoke from the BBQ from a ways off and it always makes my stomach wonder how much longer it will have to wait. You have your choice of "inside" or outside seating. The inside seating is a simple room put up with a heater in it. Folding tables and chairs are what await you here. But this adds to the charm in my opinion. BBQ isn't supposed to be fancy. It's supposed to taste good and warm your soul. Buster's knows what's important. Skimp on the decor and provide stellar food at a fair price! I've tried several of the menu options and have yet to have an issue with any of their meats. I do wish that the portion sizes of sides were all equal though. If you want baked beans, and these are great by the way, you get a good helping. However, the potato salad and other cold sides come in a tiny (think salad dressing to go cup) portion cup. These sides are all equally tasty, but I just wish you could get a bit more of them. The BBQ sauces are also great here. Be warned though, if you order the spicy BBQ sauce you need to realize that there is actually heat to it! It's so rare to find a BBQ place that has a true spicy sauce. The mild sauce is still full of flavor, so fear not my delicate tongued Yelpers. I typically mix the sauces half hot/half mild for the flavor I get out of it. Coming in on a weekend around lunch you'll find the parking lot almost half full with motorcycles. This is a prime stop for the 2 wheeled crowd for a lunch break and stretching spot during a ride in the twisties. That's actually how I discovered Buster's in the first place. Chowing down on great BBQ with 20 of my close friends in the middle of a long ride. A big thanks as well to the staff here for their great attitudes and for always taking such great care of the motorcycle crowds that flock here on a constant basis. See you soon!
(4)
Amanda M.
I love this BBQ! I was taken here by my brothers in law on an outing to the wineries a few weeks ago. This place is so freaking good! When they say hot sauce they mean hot! The tritip sandwich was fresh, juicy and flavorful before adding their homemade hot sauce! That sauce put the sandwich over the top! I got coleslaw on the side and it really hit the spot as a cooling agent! Plus they have beer on tap! I think the only downfall is seating can get cramped but it's worth it!
(5)
Jenna L.
3.5 stars, I usually round down, but I thought this place deserved to be rounded up. After visiting a winery and going on a safari (yes, a safari!), we were pretty hungry again, so we were super excited to drive past a legit looking BBQ place. It looked awesome, so we went over and stood in line. There was an open pit with lots of delicious looking tri-tip chunks on top, so it smelled awesome too. There were tons of bikers there, very casual place. Overall, good sandwich and really good baked beans. Decent corn bread too. Super messy, but what do you expect, right? I'm going to be a jerk and say it's not as good as the tri-tip place in the Santa Barbara mountains, but still pretty decent. Awesome to be in the middle of wine country, will probably go back to help soak up all that wine next time :)
(4)
Rosemarie d.
A well-deserved 4-star review. YUM! Listened to the reviews and tried the tri-tip sandwich - YUMMMMOOOOO! Also got the baked beans (wouldn't have gotten em if it weren't for the reviews and MAN! I was definitely glad I did). Tip: Get half mild/half spicy sauce... Seriously. I was already sweating. Loved how it mixed with my baked beans (Seriously... I'm salivating right now). Wasn't too big a fan of the chicken (TRIED to be a little healthy). Eff it. Let me help you out... Get the tri-tip sandwich. Half mild/half spicy sauce. Baked beans. Diet coke if you feel bad. :D Skip the corn bread, it's not that great. but still... I'm still salivating.
(4)
Natasha P.
Went here on a rainy night on a romantic getaway to Calistoga. Very pleasantly surprised. Meat portions were generous. 1. Hot Links. Really juicy and delish, but second to Kinder's in my opinion. 2. Tri-tip was tender, cooked medium well. Went really really well with the fantastic garlic toast and BBQ sauce (the hot was a bit much for me but was a delight for the boyfriend who loves spicy). 3. The baked beans and the potato salad were good. The macaroni salad was pedestrian. The coleslaw was oddly fruity... and too sweet. 4. The cornbread was fluffy and amazing with a little butter. Gotta try it with honey next time. When I come back to Calistoga, I will definitely come back to Buster's and check out the pork loin.
(4)
Sean B.
Wasn't really craving BBQ but the smell was so inviting. Was a cold day so I was shivering pretty bad, but I still took my time to savor the flavors. Very pleasant surprise.
(4)
e h.
Went here for lunch with my daughter. I had the tri-tip sandwich with coleslaw. The coleslaw was interesting with the pineapple, not my favorite but okay. The sandwich was huge, which kind of makes up for the bbq sauce, but not really. The cumin flavor in the bbq sauce was overwhelming, it did not taste like bbq sauce at all. I would go back if I wanted a huge pile of meat piled on bread, but not to get my bbq fix.
(2)
jay g.
Best BBQ within reach of San Francisco You can not find good fast or slo cook BBQ in the Bay area for love or money. At least I have not found it yet. Whereas on a road trip (Sunday Motorcycle jaunt really), I stumbled upon Busters and I now make at least one pilgrimage per season for a fix and a jar or two of sauce for the winter.
(5)
Andrew T.
The Best Tri Tip sandwich I've ever had and I'm 48 soooo I've had a few. Went with the HOT sauce and it killed! I talked to one of my buddies about it a few days after our motorcycle ride and he said it would be worth a trip from Roseville to Calistoga just for the food. I totally agree!
(5)
Steve F.
The best BBQ in the entire world!
(5)
Mike B.
Best bar b q chicken sandwich around! Gotta go hot!
(5)
Joel M.
Great joint, We enjoyed our tri-tip sandwiches and the sauce while not the best I've had it was still very good. We drove up from Napa while on vacation and it was well worth the trip. We would recommend this.
(4)
Travis G.
The tri-tip at this place is a good as it gets! Nicely marbled meat with a smoke ring and juicy middle. The flavor is just the right blend of smoke and spice. The tangy house BBQ sauce is also very flavorful. I only had the hot version and it actually had big flavor, not just heat. I imagine the mild would be tasty, but I'll never know cause I always go for the heat. The ribs were a bit tough, but fully cooked and tasted good. I would have to say that the sides were very small and didn't get the same TLC as the tri-tip and ribs. If your a carnivore then you'll do just fine at this place.
(3)
Steve H.
They weren't lying when the said the Hot Sauce was Hot! There was love and hate in each bite. Loved the quality, flavor, and juiciness of the meat, but hated how the hot sauce made it almost unbearable to enjoy - even though I got half mild and half hot. Hell was present that day. They don't skimp on the portions either. The tri tip sandwhich was plentiful but the hot link sandwhich was packing on major weight. Made extremely good leftovers as well. Located right off the road this shack had had all the characteristics of a fine bbq establishment. The outdoor grill, comfortable seating, lots of customers, serious sauce, and quality meat. Would definitely take a trip up here from the east bay to savor the flavors. .
(5)
Mrs. N.
My husband and I came here on a Tuesday around 1:30 and the place was pretty much empty. The person helping us was a young Thai woman who was schooling us on BBQ. We had the tri-tip sandwich and the pork rib dinner. Both were dry and pretty much meh. The coleslaw was interesting; it had bits of pineapple (maybe some Thai influence?). The Potato salad was mediocre; however, the baked beans were bomb! I was prepared by another reviewer about the swarm of flies in the seating area, but wasn't that prepared. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place. The food is not that good and the facility will require you to wear a beekeeper mask to avoid the larger than normal flies. If you're looking for good BBQ in Napa try Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ.
(2)
Hashim B.
Very good. Spicy BBQ is spicy like it should be. Meat is tender. Sides remind me of home cooked. Try it if you're in the area.
(5)
Meena N.
I go to school not far from this small restaurant, and I don't know how many times I've frequented this place with my friends. The tri-tip sandwich is always good, and always get the baked beans with it as a side (never the chili beans). The meat is good and sometimes you can actually see Buster working or walking around. Come at a good time, and you'll see the meat actually being cooked outside on their grills. This place is good, and the price is fairly inexpensive considering where it's located. Remember that hot really means hot so even if you love spicy food, start off with half mild-half hot sauce.. eventually you'll get used to the hot sauce by itself.
(5)
Susan G.
We stopped here to get something to eat and soak up all of the wine we "tasted" during the morning and afternoon. We both had the tri tip sandwich which was really delicious. Sliced to order ,the meat had a perfect tender texture and smoky taste plus the sauce was just the right amount of sweet vs spice and the bread was brushed with butter and toasted. Really special. I had the baked beans and they were okay - not great, just okay. This four stars is based on what it is - a casual BBQ restaurant and they know their stuff.
(4)
Alex B.
Yum! Try the tri-tip sandwich. Quick service when there's no line. Very casual, and not too expensive... compared to the uber-expensive restaurants in Calistoga.
(4)
Jesus D.
My food was cold and too salty.
(2)
Myles A.
Found this place while on a trip to Napa. Nicer restaurants were too full. Saw (and smelled) the BBQ from down the street & decided to go there. It was a while ago, but I still remember the tri-tip was really good, the hot links were bomb, and the chicken (which I don't prefer BBQ style because it tends to dry out) was actually juicy. The prices were very reasonable and the BBQ was better than almost any place that I can get in SoCal. Definitely recommend this spot if you're out there!
(4)
Michael L.
Just left this place.. We each had the rib combo. First the ribs were so tough I gave up on my first rib. But if I had continued all one can say about the sauce is it is totally uninspired. The beans taste canned and the cole slaw tastes as they go down to KFC and buys a bucket of it to serve. Gus and Ilene ate two ribs each and the rest found its way to the trash can. So another 45 bucks down the drain, or in this case in the trash can. Order taker was rather unpleasant as well. So one big YUCKY POOPO...
(1)
CP D.
It was one of those days when you wake up and say to yourself, "I need me some BBQ!" And then you search Yelp to find a place you've never tried, jump in the car, and drive 40 minutes out of your way to inhale part of a cow. It's just BBQ. The place isn't that big, the menu isn't extensive. But the tri-tip sando is as good as they say, and I pretty much want to bathe in the baked beans. They are THAT good. The mild sauce has a tang, but my man-friend had the hot... and it's hot, be warned. The seating area is great because it's just a bunch of long wooden tables and conveniently placed paper towels/napkins everywhere (sh*t gets real messy, real fast). This place hit the spot and was totally worth the 40 minute road-trip. But I'm only giving 4 stars because they don't give enough beans (serious).
(4)
Ellen K.
Tri-tip sandwiches are awesome. Baked beans are yummy. Stick with the regular hot sauce unless you want to breath fire. Don't bother with anything else on the menu.
(4)
Don F.
I came by again to get the tri tip sandwich. I ordered the hot bbq sauce. It was so freaking hot I could hardly let any food touch my tongue & I was sweating like a pig. WoW !!!!!!!!!!! There is a sign next to the cash register stating that HOT is HOT............no shit! Anyway...........some good eats here! A had some ice cream after the sandwich to cool my mouth off. They do have really good ice cream too. NOTE TO SELF: get mild bbq sauce
(4)
Romeo And Lola K.
Good tri tip sandwich; messy but generous portion. The meat was a bit more well done than we prefer. Cole slaw was good (definitely on the sweet side). BBQ oysters were delicious! Odd outdoor seating throughout parking lot. Air conditioned seating available but on a nice day it's a shame to have to side inside.
(3)
M H.
Get the tri tip steak! fucking awesome!
(5)
Zak P.
Sooo I am torn on this place, I normally base my rating upon a combination of food, service, atmosphere and the overall experience. But this time I think I am going to have to give my rating all to the food. Why? Because the service wasn't great, it wasn't even good. Its your standard walk-up window grab a seat yourself and they call you to pick up your food kinda joint. But the lady working at the window was just going on and on about one of the employees just quit because they didn't feel the prices were justified. It was just pretty unprofessional. However.. this has to be some of the best BBQ I have tasted ANYWHERE. The hot link was grilled to perfection. The Trip tip was so juicy and flavorful and the potato salad was one of my favorites. The price was a little high for the amount of food and setting, but it was worth it for the flavor. Busters hit the spot after a week full of upscale dining, it was nice to grab a meal where forks and knives are optional.
(5)
Ramona B.
Good place to stop for lunch with a Great tri-tip sandwich! Beware: the hot sauce is REALLY hot. My husband loves hot and spicy foods, and even he asked to get the half and half sauce!
(4)
Jennifer N.
This place seems like it should be out in the woods. The corn bread was really good. The bbq sauce was not to my taste and the lady put a grip on the meat. The food wasn't that great besides the corn bread, but I had fun trying to flirt with the cashier to get dessert. too bad it did not work :( LOL The lemonade was to sweet for my taste.
(3)
thrasher b.
If you like HOT, get the hot bbq sauce -- like burn-your-face-off hot. It's great if you order the right things. The sides are nothing special. In fact, none of it is. I suggest you just try the HOT bbq sauce and drink a beer to wash it down. That's what I do.
(3)
Grant B.
Busy place but they make it work well. Had the pork ribs, great flavor a bit more "stuck to the bone" than I like. We also had the Tri-Tip, which was very good. The cole slaw was excellent. Chili beans were so-so. Blue Moon on tap under $4. You order and then take your plate to the dining room (it was cold outside, otherwise they have outside tables and counter as well). The owner does a great job of yelling at her kid to clean tables when it is crowded.
(4)
Mike L.
Five Stars I have been to most of the BBQ places in the Bay Area and like Busters the most. The hot sauce is very hot but that how I like it. The sides are not huge but are very good! The cornbread is a must try also. One of the cheaper places in Calistoga to grab a bite . If you like BBQ make sure you give it a try !
(5)
Kevin T.
Located at the first major intersection of Calistoga, Buster's serves as another testament to the amazing food available in the Napa valley. Made famous for their Tri-Tip sandwiches, this venue definitely brings a bit of the South to the heart of Northern California. Upon arriving at Buster's for my first time, the first thing I noticed even before pulling into the parking lot was the intoxicating smell of barbecue. My excitement peaked as we got of the car and were greeted by the sight of a dozen sides of meat slowly cooking to perfection on the outdoor grill. Despite the overcast day, I found myself grinning from ear to ear in eager anticipation of what I had in store. At long last I managed to drag myself away from the bbq pit and finally shimmied up in line behind a group of locals with similar ideas for lunch. I immediately struck up a short conversation with the group of college guys in front of me to help me decide on what to order. The census was unanimuous. Buster's Tri-Tip sandwich with the hot sauce. Confident in the power of numbers, I decided to take their suggestion. The Tri-tip sandwiches are constructed by placing a GENEROUS portion of meat fresh off the grill in onto two thick slabs of hot garlic bread served open-face style and then drenched in a cascade of Buster's famous hot sauce. A side of slaw or baked beans are thrown in on the side and you before you know it your order is ready. I eagerly made my way to the dining area, a canopied collection of picnic tables set up under a row of heating towers for those chilly winter days. Throwing all pretenses of decor to the winds I set my fork aside and immediately tackled my sandwich with my bare hands. BAM. I found myself close to tears. The tenderness of the meat contrasts beautifully with the crispness of the bread which is all tied in together by the sweet tang from the bbq sauce. Before I knew it, I was sopping up a few remaining beans off my plate and wishing I had worn spandex instead of the pair of jeans which had at that point become unbearably snug. Tip: When they say Hot sauce they mean HOT. There is a mild alternative for those with less tolerance for heat ;)
(4)
Meryl P.
My family and I were in the area for some wine tasting and 4th of July weekend fun. It was lunch time and we stumbled upon this BBQ spot. The yelp reviews looked promising and we weren't picky at this point, just starved! You basically line-up in front of the window and order all your food, then you can sit outside by the bbq or sit in a somewhat enclosed area. We were a large group of about 15 people and were lucky enough to find some seats inside. Once we picked up our various orders or tri-tip, chicken, ribs, etc, we started chowing down. From the looks of it, it looked as if we LOVED the food. Sike, we were just hungry. Later that night we talked about how dry the meat was, the corn bread was super dry as well, the sauce wasn't that great and they didn't even have enough sauce to help with the dryness. I think this spot's success is it's location, the food was just okay but there is better food around the area.
(2)
L. D.
Wooh hooh - best tri-tip sandwich anywhere! Typically I don't like sauces as they tend to be sweet. Here the mild sauce was savory and enhanced the experience. Yumm!
(4)
Shar M.
I must say - this place has THE BEST ribs and THE BEST tri-tip and THE BEST BBQ sauce I have ever had! My family raves about this place - and what bothers me, is they went without me while I was away for college, but they have this fake memory that I was with them. They are always talking about it! "Remember that BBQ place in Napa Valley? You've been there... you had the... what did you have?" Nothing! Because I wasn't there! But finally, I can say, YES I've had Buster's Southern BBQ and it was damn good! We drove out here on the Sunday following Valentine's, as our last stop in the wine country before going home. It was cold and rainy, which had changed a lot of our Sunday plans, and we debated driving all the way out to Calistoga for ribs. But our hearts were set on it, so we went. We decided to order the food (half rack of ribs, half tri-tip, and two orders of corn bread) to go. Our car smelled like ribs during the drive back to my place, and we were so tempted to pull of to the side of the road and eat. But we waited until we got back, and everything kept its heat, and it was a glorious meal. I live about an hour away from Busters, but the boyfriend and I both agreed it was worth a trip out JUST to visit this place again. I'm looking forward to making another trip, on a sunnier warmer weekend, so I can enjoy the ribs while they are still hot and freshly cooked. Mmmmm.
(5)
Christina D.
*Tri Tip was good *Hot Link was good *Sauce was spicy (and I'm not talking Gringo spicy) *Great summer lunch spot *Will definitely go back
(3)
Elizabeth F.
We loved this place! Their BBQ is gluten free (no soy sauce; just Worchestire sauce). I had 1/2 rack of ribs. I could have eaten a whole rack but stopped before I got ahead of myself! My husband said the Tri-tip sandwidch was the best he has ever had.
(5)
California R.
This outdoor patio BBQ place was ok but, Meh. Ive experienced better. This place is surrounded by Wineries in downtown Calistoga. I tried to Tri tip steak sandwich with Habanero hot sauce and garlic butter bread and it was a messy pleasure. The heat was on and my taste buds were confused on if they should scream for scorching enjoyment! I also tried the corn bread which was good too. Even though the bbq was good, this place did not have the ribs which was what I originally wanted to try. They were very misleading in how long it would take to have the ribs ready so I had to go with the Tri Tip. The customer service sucks and the asian cashier is obnoxiously loud and unprofessional. I will go back if I am in the area but only becaue they are the only bbq joint in Calistoga.
(3)
Jane V.
I came across this place while visiting the area...it was a very gloomy day and so lucky for me there was plenty of parking and no line. The food is indeed FABULOUS here!! I had the tri tip sandwich (mild) and my kids had the ribs and the hot link sandwich. Busters is definitely worth visiting while looking for a place to grub half way through your wine tasting and/or touring. Oh, and i'm not usually a fan of cole slaw all that much but it was dee-lish as well!
(5)
Kathleen B.
Um wow. I've died and gone to BBQ heaven. I've had this weird hankerin' for BBQ for the last month or so so when we came up here this last weekend and I smelled the sweet aroma of meat on a grill, I knew I had to have me some. The slightest taste of a delicious brisket can turn me on and it definitely got me going on Saturday. We pulled into this cool, nondescript joint and parked our asses under a huge shade tree next to the grill (as in BBQ, not the platinum mouth accessory). There's nothing that makes me happier than a cold beer, brisket and baked beans. I'm a simple creature. So that is exactly what I ordered. The brisket was incredibly tender and slathered with just the right amount of a sweet BBQ sauce and served over a huge crusty roll. The baked beans were INTENSELY amazing and I could have gone back for 2nds and probably 3rds had I not wolfed down the entire sandwich in less than 5 minutes. The prices were definitely reasonable (relatively speaking...SF bbq is way more pricey and definitely not the same level as this). I think my brisket, beer and 1 side came out to about $10. Beer was great, atmosphere was top-notch and Buster was tending the grill. Sounds like a damn near perfect Saturday to me.
(5)
Arturo R.
Best place to go eat if you're a cheap bastard like me. Tri tip dinner comes with a mountain of meat, two sides, and some bread. I usually get double baked beans and hot sauce on the meat. The beans are out of this world. (Really) the hot sauce is pretty hot, but I noticed its not the same every time. The heat ranges from tingly on the tongue all the way up to melt your butthole off. White people beware. They also do ice cream and shakes which is nice I guess. Another huge plus is that you get your food within 3 or 4 minutes of ordering so you're not Fucking around waiting for a waiter (even the fastest ones are too slow in my opinion.) +cheap +all the food is super tasty +the staff is really nice (keep it up ladies!) +portions are huge +sauce has really good flavor (don't like the taste of the mild... don't know why.) +++++++ #1 in CALISTOGA. -sometimes its way too crowded but on that note we just get our food to go. No big deal.
(5)
Amber S.
I would give this place a solid 4-5 Stars if it wasn't for the rude Thai lady screaming through the window, I did not try the tri-tip, but I heard it was great. We had the 2 way with chicken and hot link, they were both delicious. The macaroni salad wasn't that great, but the beans were really good. I suggest the woman taking the orders practice better communication and work on her people skills because you're really bringing some negative vibes to a great eating spot . I'll give this spot another try and we'll see if their people skills have improved .
(2)
Zoya z.
Yum Yum Yum! Came here twice in a 24 hour period, the meat was that good. 1/2 star off for the employee barely speaking English, other 1/2 for not having the heat lamps on. It was cooooold. You have 'em, use 'em! Tri tip, I miss you already.
(4)
Miguel L.
Very good BBQ.... way worth the Trip....
(5)
Becky M.
Mmmmmmmmm....MEAT!!!! I have said it before and I will say it again, I love me some dead animal to eat. I found Buster's on Yelp while looking for a laid back place to take my Pops to on Father's Day. He doesn't do fancy and his idea of good eats is Applebee's. Being morally opposed to eating anything that comes out of Applebee's kitchen these days, I have to be creative and trick my old man into eating ANYWHERE else! BBQ gets my Pops every time though :) Like father, like daughter I suppose... This place is a little hole in the wall joint right where Hwy 29 takes a right heading into downtown Callistoga from St. Helena. You can tell it is a local favorite according the line of folks waitin' to get their mouths on Buster's meat :-D Both my dad and I ordered the Tri Tip Supper Plate with 2 sides, garlic french toast and medium homemade lemonade. $26 for the two of us; on me of course...since I'm a baller and that's how I roll. The meat was good. Cooked well and tasty. The BBQ sauce was a bit bland, I would kick it up to hot next time, as the medium just seemed a bit boring. The garlic toast lacked butter and garlic as the spread boy was being all stingy. I almost said something while he prepared mine...but didn't speak up. Oh the remorse... I got the potato salad, which was alright, but nothing to write home to momma about and the coleslaw, which was pretty tasty and was made with pineapple for a sweet after taste. Buster's is a little roadside stop that would definitely quench your hunger, but I've had better kick ass BBQ in my day...like my dad's :)
(3)
Kamuela K.
~ Tastes so good make you wanna slap yo Mama! LOL =) Oh yeah baby! The hot links here are awesome. The ribs are tender & juicy. ***WARNING*** DO NOT let the girls try and talk you in to putting that hot sauce on your ribs. They were literally laughing at me when I went back to get something to extinguish the inferno that was burning in my mouth! Yep, tears in their eyes, LAUGHING at me!!! "Was that Hot enough for you Honey???" she said batting her eyelashes with that big pearly white smile... Don't miss this place if you are in Calistoga, they have beer too if you are brave enough to try the Hot Sauce. Just don't go back and order it after the fact! You really don't want to have to face that walk of shame!!! ***4 Stars!!!!
(4)
Jeff W.
the chili dog was NOT a chili dog. a small side of beans with a small side of bbq sauce does not equate to a real deal chili dog. in my book, the penultimate chili dog starts with a homemade chili con carne. REAL GROUND BEEF. there was no beef in sight. ultimate fail. the vanilla milkshake was super tasty though. and deserved a star. really disappointed though with dog though.
(2)
Sonal P.
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! So happy we stopped by to try their steak sandwich!! It's massive and if you enjoy spicy food definitely ask them for HALF AND HALF of the hot and mild sauce. It still adds the zing to each mouthful without making you look like a woos for choosing mild :) Perfect place to sit outside and enjoy getting your hands dirty with these delicious sandwiches!! Thankfully they have lots of napkin dispensers spread around the area and a sink to wash off later. Can't wait to go back for more!!!
(4)
Jeff T.
I first discovered Busters about 16 months ago and I was disappointed to learn that in my 24 yrs in the area, I had never known about this place until now. Best BBQ in Napa or Sonoma Counties! I get a sandwich every time(had the ribs once) and even though the sandwiches are extremely messy, they are worth every bite. Whether you order tri-tip, pork loin or chicken, it is sliced up in front of you, placed on the roll open faced with bbq sauce poured on top. The bbq sauce is the bomb. Not only is the meat good but the sauce makes every sandwich 10x better. The baked beans are good also. I've been going there once a month since I found them and I don't even live in Calistoga, the drive from SR is nothing when I'm thinking about what I'm going to be eating All seating is outdoors but most of it is in a covered patio that has ceiling fans for summer and patio heaters for winter.. I'd give 10 stars if yelp allowed it.
(5)
David M.
Solid no frills BBQ. Tri tip is super tender and BBQ sauce is the best! Mac salad was too salty, but refried beans made up for it as they were perfect. The chicken melted in my mouth. Wish I had some white rice to pair with this meal! Only complaint is way too many flies in the dining room, but you can't avoid that. Sheer perfection!
(5)
Roy M.
It goes without saying one doesn't come here for the vegetarian options. Out front sizzle great hunks of animal and good heavens to murgatroyd do they smell like sex of the most carnivorous kind. Oh, hello, wood fire... oh, hello man with bucket and brush, oh, hello walk-up window. Sure, I'll take a tri-tip sandwich. Oh, it's made with garlic bread? Superb. Would I like my mild sauce on the side? Indeed. Each bite is deep and merciless that way. Oh, I might prefer the pork loin? Why, friend... you must be mad. But he wasn't. Lord, that pork dandy-sandy was something that'll put the tension in ones britches. I've yet to try the ribs, but I intend on doing so one day soon... especially when I don't have to put my hands back in my Racer Multitops for the ride back. Yech. Again, spicy is spaaaaahsay! I get mild and I get it on the side. The place can fill up on nice days, the motorcycle community loves to roll up to this joint. Maybe it's because decent bee-bee-quay isn't on every corner in the Bay Area. Who knows. I'm stoked. This is a definite must for us when we head up to this neck of the woods.
(4)
Madelyn Y.
Yummy comfort BBQ in quaint Calistoga! Had a plate of ribs and cornbread muffin to hit the spot
(4)
Pamela B.
We tried 3 times in one day to make a phone order to go, she kept telling us she was too busy and to call back.. I was ordering for 4 people, not a small order... worth their time. Food is dry and very subpar... I would NEVER eat here again and I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy!
(1)
Jon T.
Best cheap eat in the Calstoga area if you are visiting one of the vineyards nearby including Sterling and Castello. I had the half rack of ribs with baked beans. Very tender and a great portion for a very fair price. Recommended to also try the lemonade.
(5)
Amy L.
Tri tip sandwich 5 stars! The baked beans are yum too! I have not tried anything else nor have I been brave enough to try the hot BBQ sauce. Maybe some day. This is my favorite place to go eat whenever we ride out to Calistoga on the motorcycle. It's a beautiful ride and it is the perfect stop to eat outside on a nice day and enjoy some super yummy- super messy food!
(5)
Pat C.
They put out pretty good Q here. Nice and smokey and they have a Hot sauce that is actually HOT! We stopped in on a trip we had to Calistoga. The GF said every time she goes by here there is always a line and it smells great so I said let's give it a try. First off the prices are excellent a sando and a side for $8 pork ribs, two sides, and garlic toast $10.50. Hard to beat! Overall the Q is good I would have liked the ribs to be a bit more tender. They had a great smokey flavor but were a little tough. The sides we had were all good we tried the baked beans, cole slaw, and potato salad. I must say the baked beans were hands down the best of the lot. They also have a few tables set up in the back where one can sit outside, enjoy the nice weather, and some decent Q. All in all we had a really good time as the weather was great , we got to sit out side, have some Q, and chase it down with an ice cold beer.
(3)
Lonnie S.
Casual But Taste Great ! Can't get enough for their tri tip. Just wondering how they fixed their BBQ sauce. The great taste BBQ experience ! It's so good, meat was tender and just perfect done. That's always my favorite place to stop by, every time I visited this town. Love their side dish as well, and their portion big. You got to try it ! No doubt about it !
(5)
Amber G.
Amazing tri tip sandwiches and baked beans! Pretty decent cornbread too although not always the same texture! If you are looking for good food and trying to find a place where you don't feel the need to dress up, Busters is the place for you!!!!
(4)
Kori M.
To sum it up, my 12+ years of continuous vegetarianism was brought to a screeching (temporary) halt after coming here. It was the smell. Having driven past Busters and seeing the smoking, sizzling meat on the grill earlier in the day, my car-mate insisted that I pull over on the way home later that night. I agreed. A southern boy (so he knows his BBQ!), he ordered the pork sandwich to go. They prepared the meal quickly, and left the BBQ sauce on the side (so as not to create soggy bread!). We got back in my vehicle, and my friend starting to chomp down on his meal while commenting on it's tastyness. It wasn't more than 5 minutes until I pulled over again, and embarrassed, asked for a bite. The meat was perfectly cooked, chewy but not too chewy. The sauce was amazing - sweet but not too sweet. Spicy but not too spicy. The proportion of flaky white bread to meat and sauce was flawless. And the service was incredible. We chatted with the two ladies behind the counter, and they informed us that their father was from Louisiana and brought the recipes from there. They were super friendly, and put extra meat on the sandwich since it was close to closing time. And when we were indecisive about which sides to order (2 came with the sandwich) they put one of each 6 choices into our bag. This won't stop me from being a vegetarian, but if I'm going to cheat every now and then, this is one place to do it.
(5)
John B.
It's local, it's fast food and if you are drowned out in wine - have a beer it goes better with Bar-B-Q, you do have a few choices. busterssouthernbbq.com The Tri-tip was good and not dry, but no choice on how cooked, offered. The Bar-B-Q beans were good, but to much juice and not enough beans on our dinner plate. Potato salad was good but they were insanely stingy with it - served in a condiment cup. Rob R is correct - it ain't Southern USA Bar-B-Q as I know it either. But, there are about 9 billion Bar-B-Q sauce recipes, nobody likes all of them... On the Sauce: Too much vinegar not enough sugar, - the mild sauce was indeed mild - the hot sauce is indeed spicy - mix 1 container of each together and you get about the right amount of fire in the Bar-B-Q sauce. The Pork Ribs were good, but a 1/2 rack is to small. The sourdough rolls were good, can't speak to the cornbread. On the upside we didn't spend over $100 bucks to feed ourselves dinner like we would have at many places in Calistoga either. I'll go back and try other stuff next time I'm there.
(2)
james a.
Living in Calistoga we eat here or get take out probably once every week or so. It is always really good, and I am glad to see Buster is successful because that location always has not been good. We love the pork loin sandwich, the tri-tip is not always med-rare but never dry. He dry smokes the ribs so do not expect the fall of the bone experience, but man are they good. One day I was there I saw someone order the tri-tip with hotlinks on it so I had to try it YUM be ready for a fulfilling meal! I like hot and the straight hot sauce gets me sweating. We love this place Thank Buster!! ps anyone who does not like the ladies there keep in mind they work hard and fast and have very little time for small talk.
(5)
Eric A.
Calistoga, ah, what an awesome city! The air is so clean and the people there are really friendly. I saw Busters as my friends and I were passing through, and being the BBQ lovers we are, we decided to give it a shot. I have to say, never have I ever been so underwhelmed after eating BBQ. Before I get to my critique, let me just say that the eating environs are really good. It's basically an outdoors place, though you do have a roof over your head. As such, you get to take in the nice smoky smells coming from the cooking. Besides that, the food was nothing spectacular. Being a BBQ enthusiast, I look for a nice smokey taste as well a good harmony of flavor in the meat. While the tri-tip and ribs both had an okay smoke and overall flavor to them, I didn't get that "wow" feeling that I usually get with really good, low and slow smoked BBQ. Another gripe of mine are the sauces. They are simply much too tangy and they overpower the meat. A good BBQer knows that the sauce shouldn't overpower or disguise the flavor that's in the meat, but yet the sauces at Busters does this in spades. Also be warned that there may be times where cornbread is not served. I find this to be a downfall as I (and many others I know) usually like to have a nice warm cornbread muffin to compliment the smokey BBQ flavor. I guess this place is ok to try once (and maybe if you seriously gotta have BBQ while you're in calistoga), but I know that I won't be coming back any time soon.
(3)
Veronica O.
We live in town and we ALWAYS take our guests here as an excuse to go ourselves! BBQ tri-tip sandwich is the best. Don't get the Hot unless you can handle it. It IS hot!
(5)
Michael C.
This used to be a great place for BBQ. There is am indian lady who is the cashier, not very friendly at all, seemed very put out that we were here. Portions used to be huge. We both ordered dinners one tri tip one pork loin, 5 thin slices of meat each for $11 each. A rip off for sure. No smokiness to the meat. The sauces were still delicious. The meat quantity, and taste sucked.
(1)
Ray C.
Still dream of this place once in a while... even though I go to Phil's BBQ on the total opposite point of California (SD). I miss seein' Buster and his crazy cataract-ed (?) eye. What a great guy! But what really did it was the BBQ... holy buhjaysus! I ordered tri-tip sandwich, ribs, all the fixins and the spiciest sauce (apologies to my other end) Out of that list: Must order: every damn thing that's on the menu, plus a tip of the hat to Buster. But BEWARE, the spiciest sauce is no joke! I do some of the spiciest sauces, but whoooo weeee! that was spicy. let's just say my shirt was a bit soaked. So-so order: This shouldn't even be listed. NO order: and definitely not this.
(5)
Pete B.
I'm not a pro when it comes to BBQ. I know people get serious about this stuff. What I can say is that everything was delicious. I loved the pork sandwich and beans.My friend told me stay away from the hot sauce.
(4)
Carmina B.
Buster's will satisfy any carnivore. If you're a newbie here, go for the tri- tip sandwich and baked beans. The macaroni salad is equally as satisfying. Don't expect the best beef quality, as you're not paying for fine dining here. The sandwich comes with a toasted bread with butter brushed on both sides piled high with hot tri-tip slices with your choice of mild or hot bbq sauce. The trip-tip dinner is pretty much the same thing, but comes with two sides and bread on the side. Casual seating under a hut with a much needed heater for the cold winter months!
(4)
Aneliese R.
It is a sweet place. I like the homey -local feel. The food is good and I would go back.
(3)
Matt S.
I have driven by this place several times for the past seven years or so. We finally decided to try it today. I come from a family of BBQ masters, so my standards are very high regarding BBQ. I'll give that caveat. I had the pork loin. I have to say, it was just average for a BBQ spot. The rub they used on the outside really did not sink into the meat at all. It was actually pretty bland. I ended up putting salt on it. The sauce couldn't make up for it. Some pieces were tender, some average, about half of them were slightly on the dry side (very slightly). The chili beans, however, were actually VERY GOOD. Definitely a different recipe. My wife and I both gave them a big thumbs up. Potato salad was good as well. My wife had the ribs. I had a quick taste of them. They were also a little on the dry side and a little bland. My wife said that they were just average. My son had the chicken and it was actually very good, so maybe it depends on what you get. Maybe next time I'll try the tri-tip. It seems to get decent reviews. Just my .02 cents.
(3)
Donald M.
Definitely stop by if you're running through Calistoga if the smell doesn't make you stop. Buster's is a hole-in-the-wall but they make excellent barbecue. Be aware even though you're not in the south hot here means HOT. I'd recommend getting the mild sauce unless you can stand sauce with habaneros in it.
(4)
Mikey P.
I am a Tri tip fan, and this was a great sandwich. many different sides are available, I had the potato salad (below average in my book).....But back to the real food, there were 18 of us and orders were from tri-tip to hot dogs, everyone seemed to like the food. the pork loin looked good, I'll ty it next time. If you are in Calistoga at lunch time, you should give Busters a try. Oh, and I love the fact that he cooks in the parking lot and is more than willing to talk with ya. Motorcycle Friendly
(4)
Bernard W.
Killer. The Hot is Hot, so mix the hot and the mild sauces to make Mot sauce. Delicious.
(5)
Raj S.
Buster you didn't do anything wrong and I'm not mad at ya. I am on vacation here with my girlfriend of six years and a local from one of the wineries recommended this place. I got the tri-tip meal and it was delicious. The meat was great and came with two slices of garlic bread with butter. Also, the bbq sauce was simply amazing. I would eat here again if I was in the area. The only reason why this place does not get five stars is because when I went there a very disgusting drunk woman was also eating lunch. She was so drunk, and so gross, she was coughing and talking at the same time. I think she had swine flu or at least bird flu. If she wasn't there I would give it 5 stars. Someone needs to spray her down with antibiotics from a fire hose.
(4)
Andrew Y.
I heard that this was voted best bbq in the area. however, I'm not sure of what type of competition they were up against. The outside has meat cooking over an open wood fire grill. Looks and smells great. They offer sandwiches, dinners, meat as sides, and your typical sides. I could have used larger portions, but it was enough. Here is the meat in order of amazingness, pork ribs, tri tip, links, chicken (of the items we ate). The ribs came off the bone easily. The tri tip was wondeful, juicy, moist, and tasty. We got the hot bbq sauce which wasn't really too hot so be brave. They accept visa and mastercard. The driveway is one way, enter on the righ, exit on the left. Anyway, if you're looking for bbq and you're in the area, then this place seems to be the best place to go (didn't see any of the others).
(3)
Audrey N.
Not a barbecue fan at all, but this was highly recommended by Matt at Honig Winery. Plus, I was outnumbered by barbecue fanatics. I got the tri tip sandwich, medium sauce? Or regular, forgot. But I should've gotten their spiciest since I'm asian and I can eat hot stuff because I listened to what others recommended, my sandwich was not spicy at all! The sauce was tangy and good. The meat was good as well, not much to say about it. I had their potato salad and their macaroni salad. Both were alright, their corn bread was definitely good though. Don't think I'd be back if I went to Napa again, only if I was once again outnumbered.
(3)
Tyrone L.
Me and the wife hopped on the Harley and took a ride out to Busters on 4th of July. The best and only good thing we experienced about Busters was the ride there!! We ordered a 3 way Rib, chicken and link. The funky little THREE ribs were tuff , the chicken was under cooked, the links had the quality of the 99 cent store links and were just terrible!! The sauce that was suppose to be mild was nasty and too spicy!! You cant order anything how YOU want it!! No option of just white meat for the chicken. We didn't even gIve the tri tip a try because we don't like bloody rare meat and that's the only way they serve it! The garlic bread would have been okay if they hadn't been so stingy with the garlic butter spread that they top it with! Buster wouldn't be able to get away with this crime if he were in a more urban area like Oakland, even Vallejo for that matter. The location and the fact that he mostly serves Caucasians and tourist is the other reason he's able to keep the doors open!!! You couldn't find a Black Man on planet earth that would like this BBQ!! If you want some great BBQ in Napa County, go to Bounty Hunters in Downtown Napa, or try Gracie's in Vallejo. Thanks for ruining our 4th Buster!!
(1)
Christina S.
I really wanted to like this place. It always smells so good! I had a Tri tip sandwich and a side of chili. The Tri tip was dry and void of flavor. The BBQ sauce on the side was ok but very runny. The chili was the most bland of any chili I have ever tasted! I also was not impressed with the cashier women at the counter. They were not friendly at all. Over all I did not find it to be impressive BBQ...sorry :(
(2)
Don S.
I had the tri-tip; delicious sandwich. Good BBQ sauce. Pork fillet was good too. Coleslaw was good, but comically small. Corn bread was ok, a bit too sweat for my taste. Asked for a cup of tap water, tasted like detergent.
(4)
Jim H.
I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with the hot sauce. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. I can usually handle very spicy foods and the hot sauce put me to the test. It was a great sandwich on toasted bread with a small container of good cole slaw. It was a great stop for lunch.
(4)
Peter L.
A great roadside food stand. BBQ sauce was so good, I bought both mild and spicy to take back home with me. Photos: lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR… lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR… lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR…
(5)
Will C.
+1 for roadside ambience and real smoke pit, +1 for good bread. However, the tri tips were fatty and the sauce smothered any smoke taste from the meat. This is a place that should be better. I'm afraid that in the desire to try something different in Napa
(2)
Victoria G.
If you're looking for delicious BBQ, or a reasonably priced place to dine in Calistoga without the word "Bistro" tacked onto the end of the name, then Buster's is for you. Tender meats, spicy sauce, friendly staff. A winner! P.S. - try the chili beans. You're welcome.
(5)
W B.
Tri-tip dinner meat is deliciously tender, the mild sauce is savory and not too spicy. The portion of meat was great and the two sides provided with the 'dinner' make it a great meal. The only drawback I found was that I couldn't taste the meat through the sauce
(3)
Craig I.
OK - two stars because the last time we were there in Sept 08 it was pretty good but today was HORRIBLE. The pork was so dry it was flakey and disgusting. The cole slaw was way below average, and the macaroni salad tasted like salty mayo. What happened to the place?!?! Buster -- if you're on vacation, you left your place in the wrong hands 'cause I'm not sure I want to go back with so many other good choices around. Bleh. Should have given 1 star.
(2)
D F.
Sliced pork and a habanero BBQ sauce. The pork had good smoke flavor and the sauce was was overpowering to the flavor. I like the concept, but it's not a hot wings place!
(2)
Bob M.
My wife, housemate, and I ate there today. Egad. The tri-tip was rare and chewy, the pork was dry, and neither of them tasted smoky or had a smoke ring on the outside. I do Texas and Carolina style barbecue at home using a smoker and wood chips, and if those meats had been done in the smoker Buster's prominently displays for the correct length of time at the right temperature, they would have been cooked through, moist, almost falling apart, and had a smoke ring. Oh, and everything was swimming in barbecue sauce. That's always a bad sign. If you go to the parts of the South where people take barbecue seriously, that never happens with tomato-based barbecue sauce, only with things like pulled-pork with vinegar or white sauce. Anybody who treats red barbecue sauce as something more than a light condiment is either trying to hide mediocre meat, or is an ignorant Yankee. (I'm not knocking Yankees, I originally hail from Cleveland myself.) Thanks to the almost-raw tri-tip, five hours later, our housemate is trying not to throw up, and I'm chomping Tums.
(1)
Norm D.
Would definitely go back again. We got there just before the rush of other visitors, bikers, and locals at about 12:15 pm. And thank goodness because the line got pretty long. The prices were reasonable, especially when purchasing the "whole" or "half" rack of ribs, tri-tip, or loin. We are "family style" and fed 9 adults, and 3 kids for just around $100. Not bad at all. The sandwiches seemed like the more popular choices, and for obvious reasons....the portions of meat were generous, with a couple sides. And I also want to mention...the food was pretty good. =)
(4)
Ramin R.
This is place seems to be busy all the time but they move the line quickly and serve up some big portions. Kinda hard to navigate their covered eating area with the big awkward chairs. But, if you wanna ruin your palette and enlarge your belly before wine tasting, you should go.
(4)
Ashlee W.
Great tasty BBQ! We had the half order of tri-tip & ribs, with the potato salad, grilled oysters, and a vanilla milk shake. Both meats had great flavor. Yummy potato salad, a little on the sweet side. The grilled oysters are big! I had three, with three different sauces/toppings: garlic butter, pesto, and zesty cocktail sauce. My favorite was the pesto. The milk shake was a great way to finish off an excellent lunch -not to thick and not to thin. It was not overly sweet either. :o) Needless to say we left with our bellies full. I will definitely eat there again when I am in the neighborhood.
(4)
Joyce M.
I haven't even eaten at Buster's yet, but intend to do so later this week when I'm in Calistoga, but the review by the person who wanted to be able to order his BBQ RARE, MEDIUM RARE or maybe alive, just needed a response. Is this your first BBQ experience? ALL BBQ is cooked all the way through! (I did the 4 stars just to counteract the anemic one star that person gave.)
(4)
Polly P.
I eat here often because it is probably the closest thing to "fast food" in Calistoga and I usually need to grab it on the lunch hour and run. Skip the chicken unless you're ok with it being dry as the Sahara. I consistently buy the tri-tip...which is cooked very inconsistently. 75% of the time it is dry and chewy. The bbq sauces make up for it a little but - if you feel extra sassy, try the hot one. The giant bread w/ butter/garlic sauce is hearty, adding to the filling factor - if you like bread. The sides are ok - 3 bean salad is a bit oily and too sweet, baked beans are good. Regular beans are ok and the cole slaw contains pineapple...which I have found fruited slaws tend to be loved or hated. Decent selections of beer and the patio is a nice touch. I will say that overall I feel California has no decent BBQ, but Buster's comes in 2nd to the only other BBQ I have found acceptable in the Golden State (1st is Woody's down in Watts). Happy eating!
(2)
Kellen E.
Buster's has the best BBQ in Sonoma County... unfortunatly that doesn't mean much (though, in this case, it does). Fabulous hot sauce. The hottest thing I have ever been sold from a restaurant. It's dirty BBQ. No sweet service, no glitsy condiments. Sandwich? Meat and bread. Sides? Crammed in plastic containers. Nothing fancy here but I think that only plays into the business: no fuss BBQ.
(4)
Tyson Q.
Best bbq on the west coast
(5)
Joe S.
Get the tri-tip sandwich. Busta Rhymes up in the place.
(5)
V N.
The BEST tri-tip sandwich for $7 you will EVER have. Its a sandwich you will crave for. The tri tip is super tender and bbq sauce YUMMM.... and the side of coleslaw.. mmm-mmm gooood... *BURP* I'm not even embarrassed. It's that GOOOOOD.
(5)
vinh p.
I went here because of all the Yelp reviews, and I was extremely disappointed. The pork did not taste very good, and the staff was rude.
(1)
Danielle N.
Word of caution. Hot means hot. But delicious nonetheless. Shared the tri tip sandwich with the hubby with a side of baked beans. Both were solid.
(4)
Ivan B.
I had the tri tip steak sandwich with mild sauce with garlic toast. The sauce was very savory. I gotta say the garlic toast was buttery good too! I had a coleslaw on the side and it was very good. It has this pineapple like taste and it definitle made it very tasty. I will definitely come back here when I am in the area.
(4)
Mike M.
This is a really good place. I had the tri tip and found the entire sandwich excellent. Sauce was just right.Wish the had fries .
(4)
alyson w.
i enjoyed my food and so did everyone else at my table. the sandwiches are all served on "garlic toast" which is a toasted roll that is then dunked in melted garlic butter. when i asked for chicken sandwich to be on the roll sans butter the woman behind the counter looked at me like i was a puppy killer. it was still a tasty sandwich though, even without the butter. nice that there's a sink outdoors in the back so you can wash your hands before you head to the wineries. difficult to hide BBQ sauce when picking up wine glasses.
(4)
Emily W.
I love Memphis Minnie's in SF, it is still my fav but this was worth the 2 hr drive just for the scenery. I had the tri-tip which was delicious I prefer the sides at M. M.'s but the meat here was excellent. Not as smokey as I like but I'm very particular about BBQ. I agree that it was the best place to get a reasonably priced meal in Calistoga. I was a little worried that it would be too cold as all their seating is outdoors, but they have big heaters, so it was fine!
(4)
Ann H.
While on a mini vacation to Calistoga with my mother, I wanted something cheap and meaty so I yelped one-dollar-sign restaurants in Calistoga - Buster's came up...and boy am I glad it did! The portions were HUGE, I got the tri-tip and it was nice and tender =) mmmm meat =D Anyways it cost us only 10 bucks for a large amt of meat, HUGE piece of garlic bread and 2 sides (mac salad n potato salad). We split the meal and were both stuffed afterwards! (that's how huge the portions were!) This place is pretty self-serve, u grab your own napkins, find a bench area to sit, eat off your paper plate with your plastic utensils. Not super duper fancy but I'd come back!
(5)
Nick S.
Don't waste your time on the brisket or chicken, go with the tri-tip sandwich. It's out of this world and the only reason my wife and I drive 60+ miles to Calistoga once a month. Do yourself a favor and buy some of Buster's BBQ sauce to take home. Warning, hot means HOT!
(5)
Jim C.
Damn. That was good. Hot means HOT! 4.5 stars
(4)
Alia D.
I discovered this little gem on a motorcycle ride. My friends and I usually eat at one of the "main" restaurants. I guess one of my friends had eaten there and as we pulled in to park I saw the mound of meat on the outdoor grill and I was instantly impressed. I had the tri-tip and was very VERY please with the quality of the meat. On this hot weekend the outdoor seating was perfect. The tables are made out of split logs and it is in the shade. I wasn't so happy with the sides, I was expecting more based on the quality of meat. But a super duper 5 star thumbs up for the garlic bread. I mean any place that has a bucket of hot melted garlic butter with a paintbrush to paint the goodness on a roll is my instant hero. I would definitely stop here again.
(4)
Anna W.
with the help from Yelp, BF n i found this place to eat during out mini vacation to calistoga. for under $20 (for 2) you can have 2 sandwhiches and a large drink. i wouldn't say it can fill you up if u're a big eater, for someone like myself, i was satisfied. we had the tri tip sandwhich like everyone else did, it was tender tasty. the toasted butter bread that came with it was really good. i think its the SAUCE that made this sandwhich taste even better. the baked beans and coleslaw was good. mac salad/chili beans u can skip.. one was bland the other was too salty. got the ribs and it was alright. i would come back because its one of the cheaper place to grab some quick food. tip: get the sauce on the side. HOT is REALLY HOT.
(4)
Tyler G.
Great inexpensive place to get some great BBQ! I recommend the tri-tip sandwich. It comes in mild or spicy. I usually get the mild, the spicy is really spicy.
(4)
Drexel S.
Apparently Californians know nothing about BBQ. Seemed as though the membrane had not been removed from the ribs. This prevents smoke from getting in the bone and adding flavor as well as allowing the meat to reach its desired tenderness. Ribs are not supposed to be chewy! Arghhh! They are supposed to fall off the bone not give my jaws a work out. These ribs were awful. The garlic bread is painfully bad. The beans were ok and thats the best thing I can say about the whole experience. Im from N.C and I know what good BBQ is and this definitely not it.Its actually real upsetting that I waited in line for 3o minutes and payed 20$ for what people around here call good. Its ridiculous to look around and hear people talking about how good it is,I asked the lady what kind of BBQ it was and she said southern, I knew right then they were imposters. I dont know how they do BBQ in Louisiana but I gotta believe Busters is a poor example considering some of the best food in the world is there.
(1)
Andy B.
This is a no nonsense great BBQ joint. You know it's good from the heap of oak wood out front, and smoke billowing. Quaint picnic seating. Get the trip-tip. It's awesome.
(5)
Gary T.
I'm obviously in the minority on this one but I'm just not feeling it at Buster's. I'll admit I've only been there once but after reading a lot of the other reviews one would think this place is the be all end all to bbq. It simply isn't, or at least it wasn't for me, the one time I was there. I've had a lot of good bbq in a lot of different places and maybe my standards have just gotten out of hand... I dunno... but while this place was ok, it wasn't superb or anywhere close to it. I went there with my wife and mother. We all felt the same. Service was great but the food was just ok. Maybe I'll have to give the place a second chance. Could have just been an off day I guess.
(3)
Matt M.
After loading up on Zinfandel at Storybook Mountain, we needed huge slabs of meat prepared in the most primal fashion to soak up some wine. We cruised past Buster's, did a double take, and quickly found a place to park. Waiting in line, we noticed Buster not only smoked the meat, he comes in to slice it and serve it up. I had a sublime beef tri-tip sandwich with a mix of hot and mild sauce. It's served on toasted sourdough brushed with melted butter... need I say more? Yes- on the side was perfectly barbecued baked beans. I was even able to get a nice big iced fresh brewed iced tea. Sublime.
(5)
Lorraine T.
If you have a hankering for some laid back man food and some good ol comfort food this is the place to go in the Napa area. Busters is a lil shack on the main street of Calistoga and has the best bbq. Amazing Bbq sauce and the best baked beans i have ever tasted and trust you me i dont like baked beans. I recommend the trip tip sandwich super tender and dripping with sauce talk about mouth watering. Prices are low and food is great so definately worth the visit if you are near by.
(4)
Benjamin N.
Buster's has long been a favorite place for us to eat anytime we head up the Napa Valley. My partner practically drools when we pull into the parking lot. The smoker is outside and you can see the meat being cooked... not to mention the wonderful smell of the BBQ. The meat is always tender and delicious!!! One frustration I have is this place has no air conditioning. That means for several months of the summer, it's very unpleasantly hot. Check it out, you'll be glad you did!
(4)
Alex D.
Best BBQ around the Santa Rosa area(within 40 min drive). Love the Hot BBQ sauce! Bring a jacket sometimes it gets cold in the covered outside eating area.
(4)
Mrs P.
Oh my, really great barbecue sauce and great bread-especially with the garlic on it, yum! Meat is tender and juicy, beans are super too,
(5)
Jess L.
I am a barbecue SNOB. Seriously. Note my tagline. And Buster's is pretty darn good grilled meat. Definitely decent. I'm giving them 4 stars because around here (i.e., Northern California) this seems about the best you can do in a restaurant. Probably I'd give it 3.5 if yelp allowed, but I'll happily bump it up because it was Napa-cheap, well portioned, and the sauce was very nice indeed. I didn't detect any real smoke flavor, though, which I admit was a little disappointing. Fortunately, the Thanksgiving goose and capon leftovers from my own smoker have sated me... FOR NOW.
(4)
Sherry S.
Very very good food. I take 1 star off only because I am a comfort-seeking yuppy and didn't quite fit in the down-to-earth, no A/C, bike-gang frequent place. But I am defenitely going back when I visit Calistoga!
(4)
Justin L.
Fantastic food, however I just wish they were open later :(
(4)
Maria M.
Go to Busters on an empty stomach. I usually go for the ribs dinner (2 sides + buttery french roll) ask for medium when they ask what sauce you want, they mix the two together (its just right)... as for the sides, forget about the mac salad, its no bueno.The chili beans lack a certain something. Baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw are your best bets. Bring some moist wipes with you, your sticky face and hands will thank you.
(4)
Powell Y.
Not a bad place, been here couple of times. First visit was bringing back some BBQ ribs for the crew at the winery. Tasty, good spicy hot sauce. Went back the other day for lunch, ordered the tri-tip sandwich, the meat was definitely on the dry side. Think I'll stick with pork products on my next visit.
(2)
Sherry S.
I Love Buster's BBQ. I live in Napa and drive to Buster's all the time.It's the best BBQ around this valley.It's a great place to hang out get some great food and enjoy your meal. Oh and the HOT sauce is flippin HOT so watch out...Its gets all five stars from me and everyone ive ever taken their to eat with me...
(5)
Dirty Dingus McGee ..
barbeque in northern california? that's nonsense! buster's though is no joke. this place has a line for bbq worth waiting in. these guys in the line said they come there 2 or 3 times a week. they warned me off of the hot sauce, saying it was "really hot...painful!" i told them they didn't know who they didn't know who they were dealing with and they sould step their sissy california asses aside. the sauce was hot but nothing a little black diamond amber ale couldn't control. this place is right in the middle of all the wineries in the area. the bbq probably doesn't do well for your mouth before going on wine tastings, but i'll take good bbq and good beer over a half a swallow of wine any day.
(4)
Phillip W.
meh...this place is overhyped like crazy. I don't see how they have a such a high average. the food is actually very subpar. We ordered a tri-tip sandwich as well as a pork sandwich. Very bad. The sides are pretty terrible as well.
(2)
Jhoe G.
I had never heard of this place but then the second I get there I realize that I belong here. Barbecue Tri-Tip sandwiches with coleslaw and macaroni salad and Sierra Nevada from the tap? This was just what me and the wife need post-hike. Hiking up to the top of Mt St Helena wasn't exhausting but it took some calories out of us and the sandwiches were the best way to refuel and reward ourselves. Oh ya..be careful about ordering the "Hot Sauce"; It's really hot. I had a taste of my wife's pork sandwich with Hot Sauce and even a beer and a half couldn't cool me down. And I usually like hot stuff. You're warned. I hear this place is kind of famous and Buster is quite the character and I guess we just missed him. Next time...next hike. A mud bath and some bbbq go hand in hand.
(4)
Mary P.
Tri-tip all the way. I like the mild sauce with a dash of the hot. Minus one star for the surly service.
(4)
Josh M.
Great place at the end of the main road, right off of 29. For the price, well worth it. We had the tri-tip sandwhich and the pork loin dinner. Tri - tip = awesome. Juicy, tasty, and messy. Couldnt ask for more. Pork Loin = Pretty good. But it just didn't excite me as much as I thought it would. These guys lose a star for their lack of side dishes, not to mention they are pretty small. I want some mashed taters with all that sauce!
(4)
Gerard G.
Fantastic and very unexpected. My wife and I been driving all day and did not feel like doing a formal sit down dinner because it was late. Found this place on Yelp. Drove up and had second thoughts based on the looks of the place, but the reviews were good so we pressed on. Had the tri-tip and it was some of the better BBQ I have had anywhere. Could be I was really hungry that day but I still have craving for this place after the one time, too bad it is 600 miles away . . .
(5)
Dana J.
WOW! There's no way this place gets more than 2 stars.... maybe if we would have gotten tri-tip like most of the other yelpers I'd be writing different. But we didn't so I'm not. Either way the staff was not very friendly, there was no one near the BBQ, but the microwave was working overtime. Every order that we witnessed was reheated in the microwave. Yes, the spicy sauce is SPICY, but not a good spicy. Overall, the meat was bland and dry. Maybe if you actually saw someone working the BBQ you'd consider eating here, otherwise I'd eat down the street (to the south) at the little Mexican market, major hole in the wall, but said to be the best Mexican food in town.
(2)
Rosie G.
Hubby and I stopped by Busters on a Friday. Wow!! Finally, some very decent BBQ food!! We order the tri-tip sandwich and pork spareribs. Delicious to sum up this review. We also had the potato salad, coleslaw and bbq beans. Very fresh and above average quality. Love it!!!
(5)
Mandy D.
This place is fantastic. I've had BBQ in the South and this place has the best tri-tip anywhere. I wasn't so hot on the potato salad (too much mayo and I like mine lightly dressed) but the meat was perfectly cooked. I got the mild sauce since we were wine tasting and the last thing you want to do is wreck your palate with too many peppers. My dad got the tri-tip sandwich with the hot sauce. He couldn't taste anything for an hour (which wrecked his tasting experience later in the day). His side was baked beans which he devoured. I'm gluten-free so I gave the garlic toast to my dad. It seems to be a french roll brushed with garlic butter. Though I got a lot of the aroma, he said he couldn't really taste garlic (see above comment). If I'm in Napa and looking for a quick lunch under $10, this is my go-to place. BEWARE! The bathroom is the smallest in history so it's wise to go at a winery if you're tasting before or after you eat lunch.
(5)
sklabahula X.
It is really is just the best BBQ I have ever tasted! And I sooo love BBQ. Better than Flint's or E&J in Oakland. Better than anything else in in the North Bay. Even better than (my now 2nd) favorite, Big Bubba's Barbecue. Even better than mine!!! The ribs are so tender and flavorful, not too fatty and no burned edges. The pork loin was so tender and juicy I couldn't believe it, it was a joyous surprise! Even the sides are good, which I usually find lacking at other establishments. Tasty macaroni salad. Mmmm...the cornbread....had to get extra! It is casual and reasonably priced. Quick service too. Don't let the roadhouse look of it keep you away. It is soooooo worth it!
(5)
Eric J.
Best tri tip sandwiches this side of texas. And no, I've never been to texas, but it HAS to be true. You cannot go wrong with a tri-tip sandwich at busters. The hot means hot, for real. even if you get mild with a splash of hot, you might regret it. The mild sauce is extremely flavorful anyway. If you are looking for 100% ass kicking barbecue, Busters is the freaking spot.
(5)
Clarence B.
I was going to give this place 3 stars but I read some other reviews I agree with, this place has potientail to be a great BBQ spot but everything there was pre-cooked and re-heated (like I came late to the BBQ) the sides all made much earlier sweet potatos were ok, but for the most part this place just needs the big fat black dude in front cue'n it up in front and someone in back making fresh sides.
(2)
Christopher S.
Good BBQ, reasonable prices, great location in calistoga. The only thing I didn't like is the garlic bread that was basically melted butter on bread. Great little BBQ shack though!
(4)
Peter B.
Great BBQ! Get the tri-tip sandwich.
(5)
Adam C.
The BBQ was delicious. So why a 2 star review? One word: Barbara. Buster's girlfriend, Barbara, was running the register. Snippy and rude. When we took our plastic silverware, she snatched it out of my uncle's hand, and snips "you already have enough forks!" There were 5 in our party. She only allowed us 4 forks. We then asked for two extra paper plates, since we only ordered three entrees and a few sides to split. She refused the plates! We then said "1 order of BBQ oysters.". She hands us a ticket and points to the area to pick up the oysters. The lovely young ladies serving and cooking the oysters took my ticket, and asked, "why would you only order one oyster!?!?" Barbara neglected to tell me that oysters are served individually, a la carte. At that point, the line was too long, and the rest of the food was getting cold. Luckily, the oyster girls were nice enough to accept my money and serve me additional oysters. This would get 5 stars had Barbara not been the world's most crotchety restaurant manager.
(2)
Chloe S.
Absolutely great food! This is one of the best finds I have gotten off of Yelp. I had the Hot Links sandwich with the hot barbeque sauce and it was definetly hot, but amazing. The baked beans were great too. My boyfriend had the tri-tip sandwich with the mild sauce and it was fantastic as well. If I find myself in Calistoga again I will go back!
(5)
Jay C.
I was looking forward to trying this place after reading all the reviews. Are you kidding me?? Three "B's" to describe their pork ribs and the pork loin sandwich: Boiled-Boring- Bland. If you like smoked meats and only expect the real deal, save yourself the disappointment.
(2)
A B H.
Yum! I had the bbq chicken sandwich and my husband had the pork loin. It was deish. Beware the hot sauce is crazy hot.
(5)
Wesley S.
Everything was great! the BBQ sauce has a unique flavor, the tri tip was excellent, and the macaroni salad even had cayenne in it! The cornbread didn't even need butter. A great alternative to the snooty "wine country cuisine" that is all over the place around here.
(4)
Erin A.
While wine tasting with the fam, we stopped in here for a quick lunch. It was the best BBQ I've had in ages - very simple, yet absolutely delicious. We had brisket, tri-tip and hot-link sandwiches. Simple, perfectly BBQed meats with the most exquisite habanero sauce I've ever tasted. This isn't for the faint of stomach - I'm pretty sure it put some hair on my chest. I'm also sure that it left my lips burning for at least an hour after I finished eating. Ahhh, but it hurt soooo good... The mixture of spicy hotness and ice cold beer created a feeling of euphoria that I didn't want to end (until I could no longer feel my face). For the wimps out there (and my sister and father), there is a not-so-spicy option, too, which is equally as scrumptious. Cozy, family style, covered outdoor seating with big picnic tables and heat lamps were ideal for our group of 6. It was a perfect side-trip in an area that can, at times, be a bit pretentious. Not this place - not at all. If you're in the area, stop in and burn your mouth off. You'll be glad you did!
(5)
Gail S.
My mouth starts to salivate and I break out into a sweat just thinking about this place! My family loves hot spicy food but this is ridiculous. Just believe the sign when it says that the spicy sauce is spicy. The last time we ate at Buster's we decided t mix 1/2 and 1/2 the sauces and that turned out to be perfect for us. You are served an ample amount of tri tip and a side and some butter grilled bread. The meat is tender and tasty. You might want to start out with the regular sauce and then proceed at your own risk. Or better yet, ask for a little taste of the spicy on the side. The seating is in a covered patio area. There is no inside so you probably don't want to go if it is really cool and damp. Just bring the food home or back to wherever you are staying and enjoy. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about warming up if you opt for some of the spicy sauce.
(5)
Jorge H.
Best BBQ I've EVER HAD. I drive from the East Bay just to eat this BBQ.
(5)
lindsey l.
Buster's is definitely one of the less assuming places in the valley. It is a modest shack-type bbq joint with some pretty amazing bbq. Get the tri-tip sandwich - so yummy! They have hot and regular sauce-- the hot is pretty hot so I always ask for a mix of both. And everytime I come here, I'm not hungry again for hours and hours.
(4)
Brian H.
We have went through wine country, stopped no where, ate at Buster's and then come home (couple hours each way). Best tri-tip bbq. If you like spicy the hot bbq is great (warning, the sauce is handmade and the heat can vary). Friends have ordered the ribs and chicken and say they are great too. They also make a great mini sweet potato pie.
(5)
dario s.
Greasy crappy food. Noisy and ugly surroundings. If the food doesn't make you sick, the noise from all of the motorcycles will be enough to make you puke. This place is owned by a black man, but is white trash food prepared by HIspanic people And the ambiance of a motorcycle parking lot doesn't help things.
(2)
Sam L.
I'm always out for treats that are found in unassuming places and this place fits perfectly. It looks like a dive barbeque place until you see the line out front. Their tri-tip sandwiches can't be beat. The meat is carved in front of you and their sauce is finger licking. Also, try the hot links (and get 'em hot). Best place I've found up there. Beats the pants off of any of the fancy restaurants in wine country.
(5)
Mehmet F.
Paid $24 for a meal for two plus a lemonade The meat itself does not taste that good but this place has an excellent bbq sauce. I could probably eat my shoe with this sauce. The lemonade was superb. It is the real stuff. The potato salad and cole slaw were both bad. Old, soggy and cold. Baked beans are excellent. Way too many tendons in the ribs. Get the tri-tip instead.
(4)
Carol D.
Buster's is always a great lunch stop during my Napa Valley wine tasting excursions. I love BBQ and this casual eatery never disappoints. If you are looking for a quick, reasonably priced stop in Napa, give Buster's a try . This place is easy to miss but it's a little shack on St. Helena Highway across the street from the Wine Garage.
(5)
Alicia J.
Num-O. Best BBQ that I have had in the Bay Area. The meat is hearty, the portions large and the meal delicious. Get the pork ribs. Tender and cooked to perfection on the outside grill. A true hole in the wall worth discovering. I will be back after many adventures in wine country.
(5)
Ashleigh Q.
Awesome! We were on vacation and this place was great. Good prices, great food, especially the pulled pork, and every side dish from potato salad to greens. Incredible setting, and there's not a bad seat in the house. Buster is a super cool guy too!
(5)
Ken H.
I'm nostalgically writing this review... 2,500 miles away from my favorite barbecue restaurant. Nostalgic, because I just had a friend tell me they were going on vacation in Napa... and I recommended Buster's for about the millionth time. I have completely re-planned my days in wine country around a lunch stop at Buster's for their chicken BBQ (1/2 spicy, 1/2 mild) on toasted garlic bread and spicy pasta salad. Forget the fancy napkins, cheeses & wine country picnic baskets... Buster's is how you do lunch in wine country!
(5)
Joe R.
Whoa doggie! I got the tri-tip sandwich, and it damn near killed me with its excellence. This place is quickly become a must-see stop for any wine country trip. It's the type of place where you actually get served by Buster, who's been grilling meat in the same spot for 40-ish years. A warning, though: the hot sauce is not messing around. You should be Indian or have had your heat-sensing tastebuds removed if you want to eat it.
(5)
Heidi C.
First time vistor after reading the reviews. I laughed when I got there because the rude thai lady was still working the window. She wasn't that bad, but I did have to tell her no ice in my drinks like 4 times and she still snuck a couple cubes in one of them! The food was good. We tried the tri-tip, hot links, and the beans were good. The macaroni salad was nasty, no taste and all spice. The potato salad wasn't that great either. I actually liked the coleslaw. I love thai food and sweet stuff, so maybe that's why i liked that and the beans. :) Cornbread was okay and the bread was just buttered french bread not really garlic toast. They serve it up pretty messy if you get it to eat there.A young man just slapped everything on the plate, beans and all running into my bread. I think it was worth the drive though to try something new. Too bad I don't get paid for this. Just beware,its on a hill, so the tables and such are on a slant, but the atmosphere is great on a sunny day. There are even nested tables in the back among big fruit trees. I would like to sit out there next time. Enjoy! (I even got a glimpse of buster himself when he was directing me not to park in the stall next to the handicap parking) lol
(4)
Bob G.
it is no longer owned by a southern family....it is owned by asians that speak really harshly..."YOU WANT SAUCE"OK i give you sauce....they dont cook on the bbq......i seen the girl take semi-raw chicken..and put it in the microwave , to cook it...so did others....it is not "busters" anymore... it is someone using the name to keep it real....taste is bad also..ohh well...everything has to go downhill sometime !
(1)
Rowzbud R.
Tri-tip sandwich and chili beans were delish! Would def go back.
(5)
Tess C.
I LOVE BBQ!!!... My husband and I ate here after our spa treatment @ lavender hill... the place is literally next door to our spa, oh so yummy! BBQ is cooked to perfection. AHHHH... !!!! Heaven
(5)
Richard G.
Hands down the best damn tri-tip anywhere in Norcal, maybe even the WORLD! Notice I said tri-tip because that's exactly what I meant. Don't try to get inventive and say, "hmm... I wonder what the ribs are like, or maybe the pork loin?". You WILL be sorry. The pork loin is dry & unexciting, the ribs uninspiring, the hotlinks & chicken are both good and if you really must be difficult, go ahead and get those. BUT I'm not giving Buster's 5 stars for anything other than their tri-tip and their sauce! Their sauce is indescribably delicious. I'm huge BBQ fan and I have never found a better place or a better value.
(5)
Jenn C.
Wow. I thought nothing could compare to Memphis Minnie's in the city. Ok well this still doesn't compare - but it is coming in a very close 2nd. My friends go to Busters alot - and they told me about a little trick - order the sandwich instead of the meal - you get the same amount of meat, less one side and its about $2 cheaper. If you still need that extra side, you throw down $1.50 and your still up fitftycent. We like to call this the ole 'fitty fiddy" trick. The Tri Tip sandwich is fab - just the tttttiiiiiiiippppp!!
(5)
Eric X.
F**K yeah! After walking down the strip seeing all the overpriced yuppified joints to eat at, I was feeling like the quintessential trapped tourist. Fortunately a fellow guest at golden haven told us about this BBQ place, so we trekked past the obvious end of the strip to what seemed like a townie bar. However, what was found was a delightful outdoor bbq place -- a place locals go, a place with hot sauce that knows how to bite back, with succulent meats and wonderful sides. Affordable and authentic local culture. It's all I ever ask for...
(5)
Megan H.
Great spot for lunch. Hearty MEAT.
(4)
S. Y.
Go there for their delicious tri tip sandwiches!
(4)
Thomas L.
Buster is the man the myth of Calistoga and has the best BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich around. When I met Buster 2004 I had heard from local B&B owner at "The Bear Flag Inn" (a great little place to stay by the way) he was stonewalled by Calistoga's local business association in making improvements to his business. A property that had a long history of turnover and was in dire need of change. Buster filed all the proper paper work to make several improvements to the property, fixing the old building, adding a new structure, more room for tables, parking etc. So the story goes he just decided to go ahead and make all the improvements without final approval. Basically saying screw-em since he knew he needed to make the changes for the business to survive. Keep in mind Calistoga is still in the dark ages and as white as wonder bread with a long history of being extremely difficult with newer small business's. Not sure why that is as tourism is vital to that economy, but Buster the only African American business owner (Buster) in Calistoga was about to change all that with or without there blessing. His thought " what will they do sue me? The only African American Business in town?"......and just so you know Buster couldn't be further from being racist but as for the small business association in Calistoga that's still up for debate! So the final result was a huge win for all local business owners as he forced the approval. Its a great story that I'll always remember and if you get the chance to chat with him by the BBQ...beware he will talk your ear off. Great guy with lots of passion and have always wished him much success. Looks like he continues to thrive in Calistoga. Again, he does have the best Tri-Tip sandwich around and better be prepared for the hot sauce cause its legit!
(5)
Samantha M.
you are an elitist ass if you go up into the heart of wine country and eat anywhere else but here. ok, i could cut some slack if you made reservations a year in advance to the french laundry, but really... go here for amazing, simple, feel-good food. delicious every time! don't let the long line scare you, it moves along as they deliver hot steamy meaty plates at warp speed. buster is a doll! thanks for the yummy sweet burn!!!
(5)
Quailty P.
got 2 items, ribs and tri tip with mac potato and beans. ribs were dry, not good needs lots of sauce, was not smoked too long, the tri tip was very good, mild sauce. 5 stars. sides were ok, but small. but 3 couples in front of me ordered the vanilla ice cream...did i miss something there?
(2)
Louis B.
I was a bit disappointed after reading all the reviews. Maybe I didn't get the right stuff. I got the pork loin sandwich and my girlfriend got the chicken breast sandwich. There wasn't any pulled pork to be found on the menu, and for me, that's a must! The pork loin was good, but it was just like regular pork loin sliced up with bbq sauce on it. Same can be said for the chicken breast. The beans were pretty good, as was the cornbread. Wasn't as fantastic as everybody seems to say. Maybe I should have gotten the tri-tip sandwich as everyone says, but I wasn't really up for a sliced steak sandwich at a bbq joint.
(3)
Maida L.
nice place to stop when you're really hungry and want some quick, good old fashioned bbq and don't want a fancy, expensive meal. located right off of 29 in calistoga. my favorite item here is the tri tip sandwich. they take toasted garlic bread, brush on butter, pile on tender sliced tri tip and then top it all with a tangy bbq sauce. the mild is too mild and the hot is really hot.. i suggest asking for 1/2 mild and 1/2 hot bbq sauce. the sides are okay. they have the usuals - chili beans, baked beans, potato salad, corn bread.. wish that they had some type of green salad. would also like to see a combo plate (tri tip/chicken, ribs/chicken, etc.) so that you can taste a few items. outdoor seating and you can bring your own wine!
(4)
Lucy A.
Sorry, folks, I do not see what all the fuss is about. We ordered take-out: a half chicken and a pork loin sandwich. The chicken was good, the pork loin moist. However, I had potato salad as a "side" which was about 1/8 a cup of underdone potato in a rather bland mayonnaise base. The garlic toast was a hoagie roll brushed with garlic butter to the point of sogginess and was supposed to be toasted but looked more like they had passed it over a match or a cigarette lighter or sometihng. Hardly even warm. The barbecue sauce WAS pretty good. It's a chili powder base from what I can taste and sort of greasy, but tasty. The kitchen seemed messy and could have used a good cleanp-up. I won't be returning. I've had much better barbecue.
(2)
Gabe G.
Delicious perfect barbeque food! Yes, hot means HOT people, but it is still delicious!!!
(5)
Lil S.
Oh, my friends, you did not steer me astray!!! Not much to say that has not been said -- this place is amazing, worth a visit, and if I ever end up on death row, it just might be my last meal. 'nuff said.
(5)
Jay S.
I was born in Mississippi,raised in New Orleans and I know good Bar B Que when I taste it,and man oh man does Buster know his BBQ! You can smell the place when ya drive into town,situated at the junction of 29 and the Main Street in Calistoga,Lincoln ave. Set beneath some large shade trees,with a covered screened patio area,as well as some table scattered about,you will see the BBQ grills and large stacks of wood when ya drive into the place.The ladies inside know how to hustle the food out quickly,you just pick the meat and the sides. My sweet heart and I split one rib dinner for lunch before getting a mud bath and boy,was it was delicious. The ribs were meaty,not too fatty but just enough to add great flavor.Cooked to perfection,not chard in any way, as Dane can't stand the taste of anything BURNT! The sauce was sweet ,tasty and HOT,I mean Louisiana Tabasco HOT. Next time I'll get the milder one. Macaroni salad tasted a bit like the Hawaiian version,really good, didn't care for the bland beans. Beer was cold and refreshing. This is he best BBQ I have had in northern California since Vick & Betty's BBQ went out of business in San Francisco. If ya like BBQ,get yourself there for some good lickin's!
(5)
Bryan M.
Great BBQ, one of my favorite places to eat ever. Tri-tip sandwich, baked beans, mild sauce (sometimes half-and-half if i feel like it). Great lemonade. Great price, tender meat, even the bread on the sandwich tastes amazing. Very very affordable.
(5)
Bryce K.
food taste = 3.5 price / value = 3.5 service = 3.5 environment = 3 unless you love spicy sauce, i would go with the mild and ask for a bit of the spicy on the side (in a small container). the taste was pretty good. our group had a half portion of tri-tip, half-rack of ribs, and some garlic and corn bread. decently priced. i actually felt we got more bang for our buck by doing it that way and sharing (ask for the tri-tip and ribs to be cut) than by ordering separate sandwiches. bunch of flies and dogs here, but it's an outdoor establishment, so what can you expect? it looks like a live band was starting up as we started to leave, so that would've made for some good entertainment. just watching the meat being grilled will make your mouth water. doesn't quite reach a four for me, but this is a very high three.
(3)
Clarke J.
Busters is great. Although a bit pricey, the food is down home good. The tri-tip sandwich with a couple of sides is a full meal. The hot beans are good, the cole slaw a bit dry, but it's all about the meat. Their "hot" sauce is just that, and you'd better have a deep soft drink or a smoothie to put out the fire. The BBQ is outside, and you can find Buster putting real split wood on the fire and turning the meat. The seating is camping style plain, but who cares? This is one of the most unpretentious eateries in the Napa Valley, and worth the ride to Calistoga to check it out. Great motorcycle ride destination from the Bay Area. Busters can get busy, and the gals in the kitchen wield knives with skill and crank 'em out. Highly recommended to folks wanting a solid meal in an environment the kids can enjoy and you don't need to dress up. The "other" side of California Cuisine. Love It. Will be back again, no doubt!
(5)
Stan E.
Good, plain honest food. Try one of his Tri-tip sandwiches and you'll never be able to drive by again without stopping.
(5)
Amy B.
We were in Calistoga on 6/3/09 and decided to try Buster's for lunch based on the reviews on Yelp. It was ok but nothing to write home about. We tried the tri tip sandwich and the BBQ ribs. Neither dish were particularly flavorful. We ended up eating the tri tip not as a sandwich because we cannot bite thru the meat. The ribs were blend and greasy. We had the hot sauce on the the side. They were hot but not tasty. Don't think we will be back.
(2)
Sherie J.
Damn, this is good barbeque! The Tri-tip is tender and delicate. No knife needed it's extremely tender. The HOT BBQ sauce is WICKED HOT@#)$). !!!! Skip the potato salad. Much better than any of the chi-chi places on the way through St. Helena.
(4)
Jim S.
As an Innkeeper in Napa Valley for the last 34 years I have really eaten around, but when food is really good, nothing else matters. I am addicted to Buster's BBQ. I plan my trips to Santa Rosa around stopping there for lunch and I always pick up a little sauce to go. I can cook a mean Tri-Tip, but I can't beat the sauce. Hint: if you like your BBQ sauce HOT, ask for 50/50 of their hot and mild sauce. 100% hot will burn your face off.
(5)
Yaniv L.
simple and to the point - great bbq pork ribs, wonderful tri tip!
(4)
M. W.
AWESOME BBQ! I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the 'Yelpers Love Us' sticker at the counter. Just thinking about that Tri-tip with hot sauce is making my mouth water right now! You can see and smell huge slabs of meat grilling outside. Semi outdoor seating adds a rustic feel. Everything is perfect except for the flies buzzing around. They are not kidding when they say the hot sauce is HOT! There is even a friendly dog who will clean up your leftovers if you can't handle the huge portions. Wish they would open one up closer to SF...
(4)
Lil G.
I LOVE Buster's Grill! Buster is the nicest guy you'll ever meet, and his sweet potatoe pie is to die for!
(5)
Marla S.
You would think that 353 four star reviews would be some indication of the quality of food. I guess that is faulty thinking....the tri tip was dry, the chicken even drier, the Cole slaw, baked beans and potato salad were pedestrian...like something you would get pre-packaged from Safe Way and the corn muffin was well...sweetly disappointing. I guess when you have had the best BBQ Oakland has to offer you expect more. Buster's is not that place...Buster I am sorry...saw pictures of what I guess was you with a smile and a BBQ....where were you!!!
(2)
Gary V.
Busters.... I really wanted to love the place after all the hype. I have traveled across the country and tasted "real" southern cooking, along with the best in Reno championship rib cook off and expected something comparable. What I got was semi-warm beef ribs and just okay beans. The ratings just do not match the food. I've had really good ribs and these were less than. The service was ambivalent... No thank you or any common curtesy when you patronize a business or tip well. Just a blank stare. I really wanted to love this place, but I likely will not return again... A shame.
(2)
Steve F.
The BBQ is average at the best. We stopped by this place while visiting some vineries. Heard it is so awesome. It is very easy to find and the menu is very simple. Ordered a 2 way combo and a half rack of pork ribs. The meat itself is more or less tasteless. Only with sauce, it is ok. I bake and BBQ ribs better than this. For $14, you can get 2 full racks for raw ribs and here only for 1/2 rack. The service and speed are ok. 50 cents soda refills. I think the sandwich can be a better choice.
(2)
Sandy F.
The spicy BBQ sauce is dynamite!! I had to buy a jar to take home. Loved my pulled pork sandwich and beans. The sweet potatoe pie and corn bread were absolutely delicious. Very reasonable prices. Close to spas and makes for fun day trip from SF
(5)
Nonya B.
My husband and I have driven by many times as the restaurant is right off the hwy. We got curious one day and decided to stop and try the food. We walked up to the window and the older lady running the counter was nice at first and answered all the questions we had about the food as we were getting ready to order. Not once did she mention until the end, that all the food had been put away!!! She couldn't say when we first walked up that they decided to close?! By the way, nowhere in front, on the door, or any of the windows has hours of operation! So what they decided to close. I'm not bothered by that. I'm bothered that she couldn't tell us they were closed until we were drooling over the food we had just asked about. The lady answered all of our questions as if she was selling us the food. Oh well!
(1)
Nathan W.
Awesome pulled pork. Coleslaw was a little too sweet for me, but who goes to a BBQ place for coleslaw. Great pre-winery snack
(5)
Lisa T.
A friendly local pointed us here and boy were we happy! We had a tri-tip sandwich (only $7.50, with one side, I had excellent cole slaw) and some ribs (under $11, including 2 sides), and junior had a hot dog and a corn muffin. It was so delicious that we stopped by the next day to pick up more BBQ for the drive home. Check out the weird abandoned structure behind this place. No idea what it is, but it's neat to explore.
(4)
Steven F.
Wow, I've eaten at busters for years the quality of the food the quantity of the food and the professionalism of the workers has went downhill so bad that I don't think I'll ever go back. I called Buster tonight after I ate there and was so disappointed with the food and I was so disappointed with the conversation that I had with him. His words were he doesn't read yelp doesn't care too and doesn't care what people think. Call him yourself and complain and see what you get. I was blown away if I ran my business like that I would be out of business. I know the food there is good four days a week you just have to figure out which four days it is.
(1)
Hector G.
This little diner or drive in or dive (hint hint Guy) is nestled just at the edge of lovely and impressive Calistoga. If not for the smoke bellowing off of the giant grills outside and the delicious scent of Cow and Pig cookin, you could miss it. Let's get something important out of the way first. They have a sign on the window that is staring you in the face. It reads as follows : "Hot means HOT!" and there is a picture of a devil with steam escaping his ears on it. This is not to discourage you from ordering the super hot habanero BBQ sauce you read about on Yelp. It's simply stating the facts. Allow me to explain. As a man who loves fire hitting his tongue, I ignored this sign or shall I say my lovely 100% Mexican girlfriend ignored the sign, despite my index finger pointing at the aforementioned warning label. She asked them for spicy and they don't put a tiny amount in a tiny cup for you. They slather your entire meal with the fiery sauce and it's ridiculous burn-a-hole-in-your-stomach-lining HOT!! That said, the tri tip is delicious. It's moist, cooked all the way through and the bark is just crispy and crunchy enough that your taste buds are asking for more. The pork ribs are not the fall off the bone the moment you touch them variety that everyone talks about, but they are succulent and moist and very good. The chili beans are pretty good but let's talk turkey. You don't show up to a BBQ spot for beans do you? Nor do you show up for the potato salad, which in my opinion was worthy of not having at all. When I order BBQ, I want meat! BUT, b/c of the story I told above about the super spicy habanero BBQ sauce, the chili beans and potato salad were used as an extinguisher to put out the damn fire spreading across every square inch of my tongue! Definitely worth a try and for the record, it's a bit on the expensive side for BBQ. But, if I owned a restaurant located within the same zip code as a store that sells red bottom shoes, I'd overcharge too.
(3)
Tamara D.
I loved the pulled pork, baked beans and potato salad. My son got a hot dog and it was very good. I liked sitting outside at the picnic tables. In my opinion, you have to eat here if you are in Calistoga.
(4)
Jacquelyn S.
Tasty bbq, no attitude. It became a running joke with one of our consultants that his mouth start watering every time we got within two blocks of the place. Honestly enjoyed this more than a couple of the upscale California cuisine celebrity chef spots we ate. Highly recommend when you just want to relax and enjoy. Even better was when we sent the salivator to pick up to go for all of us back at the hotel. Awesome meal, BBQ chicken, best Pinot in years and compatriots in adirondack chairs on the lawn.
(5)
Vickeisy A.
The gentleman that attended to us wasn't the biggest people person but was straight and to the point. Absolutely amazing food. We had the pork ribs, beef ribs, chicken, coleslaw and potato Salad and it was all delicious. I liked the pork more than the beef but that's just my preference. We had the mild bbq sauce which was yummy! Will probably stop by before going back home to NYC!
(5)
Nanci L.
Our daughter, son-in-law, two grand girls and Papa & Nini listened to the reviews and got an early 11:00am arrival. I (Nini) had read most all of the reviews. Some of the reviews mentioned that we should bundled up because there was no warm place to eat. Au contraire. There was an enormous room, warm and cozy. When we arrived and went up to the window, I joked with the young man about how I had read a few bad reviews which said the "Mexican gentleman and the lady " were rude and "crabby." We both laughed at the reviews, and I found him to be a friendly, smiling young man. As was the lady who gave us our beverages. (And he gave us a marvelous sweet potato pie for all of us! I guess because we all had a laugh together.) We dove into the ribs, macaroni, corn muffins, beans, (yum), .. and fantastic hot (very) and sweet bbq.sauces. Everything was wonderful, as all of the food was perfect! We finished just in time for the long, long lines at the windows. Isn't it funny how there is always someone(s) who can't just enjoy what everyone else raves about the food and service.
(5)
Reena R.
Not bad at all! Had the tritip sando based on the yelpers recommendation... it was good. Just some nice quality tender tri tip with BBQ sauce on a soft roll (their Garlic Toast, I guess... though felt like a basic soft roll to me). I chose potato salad as my side... not bad, either. 5 Stars for the AWESOME lemonade, though! :) And those girls running the place are fantastic! My dude got the pork loin dinner - came with 2 sides... he chose slaw and potato salad. Also real basic, no frills meal. All good! Nothing fancy, and that's just good by me. Was this the best BBQ I've had?? Nope - my dad IS king of the grill. But this worked for us. With all the fancy restaurants in Calistoga, I am thankful for this place! I could wear Daisy Dukes, tee shirt and ball cap - and I'm still welcome here. Actually... it kind of reminds me of the Boar's Nest in a way. One thing, though... I came here initially 'cause Yelpers gave it "$." I thought it was a little more expensive than that. Came to $31 for us... TriTip Sando, 1 small Lemonade, 1 Draft Beer, Pork Loin Dinner... still not bad, though.
(4)
Fernand G.
Usually very good, sometimes portions are not all that you expect for the price. The sauce is the bomb. I used to just get the sauce and cook my own food. now I have duplicated the sauce and have not been there in over two years. If your looking for a quick stop for some good grub, you cant beat busters joint.
(5)
Sarah-Lynn B.
This place is uhhh-mazing!! Ya gotta get the tri-tip sandwich! So good. And it comes serves on garlic bread with a side. I tried both the baked beans and potato salad.. Can't go wrong with either one.
(4)
John H.
No frills, but a seriously good tri-tip sandwich. Their hot BBQ sauce is extremely HOT!!! Awesome coleslaw too.
(5)
Ube Z.
My wife and I stopped here for lunch before our wine tasting at Castello Di Amorosa. When you first pull up you see a giant pit with a massive amount of meat being cook on it. The smell is amazing. We both ordered the TriTip sandwich with a side of potato salad and got the spicy sauce. The meat was so amazing delicious. It was one of the best Tri Tips that I have ever had. The Spicy BBQ sauce is amazing! It has a great BBQ taste and then you get a kick of spice. The potato salad was pretty good. It helped claim down the heat of the BBQ sauce. I would highly recommend this to anyone that loves BBQ! Once you try it I guarantee you will be hooked!
(5)
Kate J.
Buster's is a penny-pinching business. Their portion sizes are very small compared to most bbq joints. Price point is a little high for the portions as well. It cost $18 for a tri-tip sandwich, bbq sauce, macaroni salad, cornbread muffin, a beer, and a lemonade. They put the macaroni salad and bbq sauce in small containers that are about 1.5 ounces. And then there's the customer service. Everyone who works here acts like someone just killed their cat...what happened to small town friendliness? A pet peeve of mine: If I order an alcoholic drink and you're wondering if I am 21, don't ask me "Are you over 21?" just card me! What's the point of just asking? You wouldn't be asking if you didn't think I was. Three stars because after the poor customer service, the food tastes good! Also-- they have a $7 minimum on credit card purchases and charge $1 if you use your card for an order that's below $7. There's an ATM at the gas station across the street.
(3)
Amanda C.
So yummy! Everything is delicious! The hot sauce is super hot, but has great flavor. The mind sauce is perfect. The baked beans we sweet and had a great taste. My husband loved his pork loin and my tri tip was amazing! Best barbeque ever. So coming back when. We come to town again!!!!!
(5)
Debora L.
Just OK. Found the tri tip a bit dry but portions are definitely large. Hot is definitely HOT - we got the 50/50 split for hot sauce and it was still way too hot. Cole slaw was pretty good, but I wouldn't go back. Seems to be a popular biker pit stop. Felt out of place without my Harley...
(3)
Dan H.
Hey! Surprisingly good BBQ in a prefab shack in Napa Valley. Who the hell knew? After a days worth of wine tasting and rubbing elbows with tourists of like mind, we just didn't want to put up with a normal bustling resto with all of the inherent pomp and circumstance. Called on my Yelp app to see what the what and found this 'lil gem. Ribs, not the best I have ever had, but very meaty with a nice smokey taste. I requested the spicy sauce and spicy it was. As in..."Damn this shit is hot" spicy. Mi lady got the tri tip and we were amazed at how tender and flavorful it was in this humble operation. The sides were uninspired (baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw). The garlic bread was huge, soft/spongy, with little detectable garlic whatsoever. But the mains made it worth the few pennies they charge. Service was friendly, and the tall white dude was very comical asking for a $10 deposit for the "fine crystal glasses" he handed us for the wine we brought ourselves. They were your typical clear plastic beer glasses...hehehe. Oh, btw, the corkage is also a comical $3. Yep, $3. Gotta love dining in the country eh? And if you are wondering about the sign announcing "Blues and Jazz." I got the lowdown on that. They recently got their beer and wine license and the Calistoga city fathers decreed that they now needed a cabaret license to have live music..?? What the hell, is this Irvine? Idiots.
(4)
Gloria N.
Yum! Their tri tip is definitely worth a try if you're in the area. But just a word of caution that their hot sauce is indeed very hot. Most of the time, I feel like restaurants' make their hot sauces are disappointingly mild because they are trying to the majority of their customers. I was pleasantly surpirsed here, though next time I'd take some of the other reviewers' suggestion of doing half regular and half hot sauce. The tri tip sandwich was so good that I ordered a tri-tip plate to go and ate it for dinner the next day. The prices are very reasonable ($10 for a sandwich, side of delicious baked beans, and soda) and there is plenty of seating - perfect if you're looking for a very casual lunch spot. Would definitely recommend this to any of my meat-eating friends.
(5)
Kelly O.
Ordered the tri-tip sandwich with a half and half of the hot/mild BBQ sauce and potato salad. The sandwich was AWESOME- meat was juice and tender even though the slices were thick, the sauce was good and spicy...the potato salad had a "funky" smell to it so I only had one bite but I really didn't need it anyway since the sandwich was plenty. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Tony K.
Not the best BBQ I've ever had but not the worst either , it was little pricey for the amounts but remember this is Yuppieville !
(3)
Neil P.
Looking for a quick service lunch...pleasantly surprised. They have a smoker/bbq pit outside...full of tri tip and pork. Awesome! We ordered a tri tip sandwich and a chili dog. Both very good. I was a bit skittish of a plastic fork and knife for tri tip...but it worked out just fine. Meat was super tender and the sauce was added after cooking, so it wasn't overwhelming. The restaurant is counter service and has some outdoor picnic tables and a covered area with tables/chairs. Not a super fancy place, but a definite return next time we're in the area.
(5)
Ken A.
Busters, Busters, Busters. That's what everyone in the office chants when I tell them I'm making the 3 hour round trip for lunch. It's a little expensive, the guy behind the counter is a little short tempered ( I once had a guy in a Texas BBQ joint wave a knife at me for asking too many questions) the sides are too small (but they are great) and it's not "hot off the grill" I do buy several jars of sauce to ship to friends that are out of the area, I don't get some of the negative comments about the sauce. Busters, since 1964. It must be good.
(5)
Jennifer C.
The meats are great. The tri trip was delicious...but not straight off the grill. It was served lukewarm. The sides are ridiculous. The "garlic" bread was not flavored at all. The chilli beans didn't taste like chilli. Worst of all, the macaroni salad tasted old and rotten. We both got stomach aches + food poisoning that night right after. I'm not for certain it is the mac salad but I would think it was. There's not many choices near Calistoga but I wouldn't go here again. Sorry Buster...you busted!
(2)
Jordan K.
Yum.
(5)
Steph S.
Two stars because the bbq sauce is ok. This is good pork loin, but it just ain't bbq. Southern folks beware. No pulled pork here. Beans seem to be canned and pineapple slaw just don't cut it.
(2)
Ashley F.
The food was good, but definitely not the best BBQ I've had. Hot sauce was just like they stated on the warning board by the cash register....HOOOOOT. Go here if you want a decent, fast, cheap priced meal without all the Napa fuss one normally finds in the area.
(3)
Emily S.
Nice place. Great garlic bread for the sandwiches. However the BBQ sauce was too vinegar-y, not enough flavors. The sides are a little weak for a BBQ joint. The location site is ok but there are a lot of flies bc of the flap type doors to go in and out.
(3)
Alameda L.
I thought I had no limit for spice tolerance until I tried their super spicy BBQ sauce. It burned my mouth out. It made my boyfriend cry. We just laughed the whole time because we had never experienced such a thing. The sides were just OK, I thought the garlic bread would be amazing because they brush the melted butter on but alas, no garlic. Where's the cornbread? I love cornbread... So the spice was enjoyable, albeit hard to enjoy. The chicken was super tender. The seating is a little sketch, and I like sketch, but I don't like flies around my face and a strange empty echo inside a room with cheap benches. I won't be going back because I love Everett and Jones (and I don't live in Calistoga) - but it's a good cheap meal in a region of expensive not necessarily great meals.
(3)
Julius H.
Drove by here and saw some guy barbecuing out back. Checked Yelp and decided to go on a lark. Tritip and pulled pork. Tasty. Sauce was spicy so we did it half mild. Baked beans were also great. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Chris W.
OMG, I pitty those that think this is good BBQ. I had dinner there last night based on the Yelp reviews. I know BBQ is a touchy topic, but with many positive reviews, I figured let's try it. I ordered the pork rib dinner. 4 Ribs and 2 sides. Sounded good. What I got was 4 dry bony pork jerky, and 2 sides (potato & mac salad) of about 4 tablespoons each. The ribs were dry (the sauce was in a container) and very tough and the sides were over salted. All this was tossed in a to go box with a buttered roll they called garlic toast. Maybe it was a bad night. But after looking at the pics posted, it seems the ribs are not too popular. But if you can't do ribs right, don't do them. Next time I am in town I will check out the taco truck that had 5 Yelp stars.
(1)
Issac V.
Busters used to be good but now they raised their prices and the quality of the food went down hill and the meat is cold and dry , they also cut back on their portions . Avoid this place if you can
(1)
Leah S.
I went to college just up the hill, and even though I ate here all the time in the years I was at college, my mouth still waters when I think of Buster's Tri tip..... I know you're watching your girlish figure, I know you're trying to keep your cholesterol down, I know it's swimsuit season, but whatever you do, DON'T GET THE CHICKEN! GET THE TRI TIP!!!! Sides are great, my favorite is the corn bread, but the beans are pretty swell too. The hot hot bbq sauce can't be missed, regardless that you'll be looking like you bathed in it by the time you're done. It's ALLL good.
(5)
Michelle T.
A little bit expensive for simple BBQ sandwiches and very small sides, but pretty good tasting. The menu was a little confusing (didn't explain what two-way combo was), and the staff wasn't the most polite when we tried to inquire. Not too bad overall though.
(3)
Nathan M.
Best tri-tip sandwich I've ever had. Yum.
(5)
Mike P.
BBQ is BBQ. Atmosphere is what you pay for and here your wasting your money unless your starved. The woman who own/manages the place Is lacking some serious customer service skills. What a "B"!
(1)
Rob R.
Definitely false advertising here - the Southern should be yanked out of their name and quickly! There was no hospitality and definitely no brown sugar in Buster's BBQ sauce. The tritip wasn't available in medium rare and was definitely overcooked and dry. Side items didn't fare much better: the coleslaw was oddly sweet and the potato salad was too creamy. Head down the road to Gott's or Rutherford Grill for a meal to enjoy.
(1)
Ivan S.
Do you know how many times on Yelp I've had to read, "Well, I'm from the Bay Area so I KNOW my _____!" Doesn't matter what that filled-in blank is, bahn mi, foie gras, a damn turducken shoved into an ostrich wrapped up in a unicorn, they always seem to know better. But, HA Bitches, I'm from the South and I know my BBQ and this, Yelpers, ain't Southern BBQ. Tri-tip? WTF? That's KAH-LI-FORNIA BBQ. Doesn't matter though. That stuff was goooood. Four stars.
(4)
Wendy L.
Pick a different place to eat. Not the best bbq by any standards. No meat on ribs, beans taste like they are from a can. Overpriced and small portions. Pass this place by.
(1)
Ilene B.
Yum. That is all.
(4)
sasha h.
5 stars for the sides - cornbread, baked beans (amazing) and potato salad (this is less good than the others). The beans are also vegetarian 4 stars for the tri-tip sandwich and the bbq sauce. Note the hot is actually spicy 3 stars for the garlic bread the sandwich comes on, it's pretty good 2 stars for the chicken sandwich. It was completely overcooked. I barely ate one bite of chicken because i couldn't find pieces that were soft enough to chew cheap, fast service, totally casual. I don't think it tastes like the south but i might go again if i were told the chicken was properly cooked this time around
(3)
Tina L.
Hm, I guess I'm not a big fan of Southern BBQ? I ordered the Tri-Tip sandwich, and it had an amazing amount of BBQ on it, and I was like hm, interesting. Their dining area had a large amount of flies and I was totally grossed out. We sat at the corner, and there were plenty of those dead thingies just.. dangling off the side. Ew. I was staring out the window and saw a guy on a bike, and a lady wearing a bandana with him. I totally felt like I was in some kind of redneck movie. HAHA. Food is okay, dining area not so much.
(3)
ChickaPea P.
4 years later and the BBQ is still delish! One of our fav stops when in the Napa area for tri-tip and pulled pork. The baked beans are great , and the only side that was a disappointment was the potato salad other than that it is all finger lickin goodness especially to refuel between tastings.
(5)
Shayenne G.
Went here twice. One after wine tasting and then the morning after. SO FREAKIN GOOD each time. my mouth is watering just thinking about the combo plate with hot link and tri tips we had with a side of macaroni salad and beans. It also comes with the yummiest toasted garlic bread. THeir chai latte was the best chai latte I have ever had because I swear this guy made it with love. He was singing while making my simple chai latte with oregon chai. it is so relaxing and cabin like there, it felt like i was at a family bbq. cant wait to come back
(5)
Barbara L.
Went there because of the great reviews. Happy Happy Happy!! My husband had the ribs with half and half sauce and I had the chicken with the mild sauce. Be careful the HOT sauce is very Hot but WOW good!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Richard C.
I am a fan of hot. Busters warns you that their barbecue sauce is extremely hot. But you have no idea! I ordered a hotlink sandwich but I couldn't say whether the links themselves were hot because I chose to let them smother them with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is the ABSOLUTE hottest I have ever had in my life and I've had a lot of hot. Loved it!! Took two bottles and a jar of their rub home with me. (Oh yes. They do have milder sauce for you pus***s.)
(4)
Karen P.
Ohhhhhh - I'm such a fan! There isnt a lot to Busters except the food. Yhe bbq is cooked over an open grill that is located in the parking lot. The "counter" is covered but open to the elements. The "dining room" is also open and graced with paper towel rolls that serve as napkins. The place is 'da bomb" My favorite is the pork but other friends are fans of the tri-tip and the chicken. One word of caution: beware of the hot sauce. I always get the mild wirh a side of hot so i can mixthem together for a tolerable heat. Sides are so-so. Cole slaw has an interesting sweetened fruit taste (pineapple?). Beans are okay. It's all abput the meat! And check out the hords of cyclists - motorcyclists - on the weekend. I dpnt know who recruits them but you'll find a lot of 40-somethings dressed up in their duds, pretending to be cool.
(4)
Eric H.
Dear Buster, Ya know, all my friends think you're SOOO great... but I just don't know what they see. I like you, you're good and all... but I just dont see a future with you. I enjoy tasting what you've got to offer once a year, but I cant force myself to come back for seconds. Thanks for making my friends happy though. Sincerely, Eric
(3)
Hoover C.
Alright, just visited again. Used to be better. Now the portions are kind of cheap. The food is not as good. Sorry, for twenty bucks, I expect more from a combo than 2 ribs and a bit of tri tip. Mostly the side of beans on the plate. Not a very good value anymore. Sorry, I want to love it too. That's napa valley for you though. Just a big rip off nowadays.
(3)
Nicoletta K.
As good as it gets. I'm confused as to why it's called a bakery too. There's no bakery ??? At any rate, Busters BBQ in Calistoga has great tri tip sandwiches. We go whenever we're in the area.
(5)
J C.
Excellent pulled pork sandwich, great roll, nice portion. Service was efficient, friendly, and fast - no issues. Highly recommended for a quick bite to eat - outdoor seating area is great.
(4)
Haziel P.
Best Barbecue Place in the valley. Especially for it's price, tri tip is always great but you cant go wrong with anything. BBQ sauce is their secret Hot is hot but I love the kick. Baked beans are awesome. Quick and cheap.
(5)
M.D. C.
What a BBQ should be. I work in Calistoga and every morning I can smell the woods-a-smokin' -- Authentic and mouth watering! Great meal for the price. Be careful, the hot BBQ sauce is super hot - I recommend blending it 50/50 hot to mild. Nice outdoor tables as well as covered casual dining.
(4)
Steve C.
Delicious Tri-Tip and baked beans!!! If your hungry and you like southern style bbq, this is the place to eat!
(5)
Brian f.
I wanted to Like this place..... People been talking about how great it is etc etc.... Im Sorry but its not great at all..... Lets start with the food line, your outside and you stand in a line while they slop your food on a paper plate.... The girls that work there arent exactly the friendlest bunch to say the least.... The Tri Tip only comes one way and thats which ever way they cooked it, you get no option for rare or well done or anything... The sauce is VERY RUNNY and WATERY..... They give you a small portion of triTip on a piece of bread and then splash runny sauce all over it..... The sides where the biggest joke of all......I asked for potato salad and I recieved a small tiny little sauce cup with potato salad in it...... LOL REALLY?? thats the size of my side?? wow thats a freakin joke...... Look through the pics people posted you can see how small the cups for the sides are..... I asked for cheese on my tri tip sandwhich and of course they have no cheese all you get is one kind of tripip cooked the way they want and some runny sauce and a sauce cup for a side, all on a paper plate and this is for 10 bucks?? no bread no drink no salad or soup all i got was overpriced picnic food......... P.S you wash your hands outside and the bathroom is so small that when i close the door my elbows hit the inside walls while i pee..... lol i just dont understand all these 5 star reviews there was NOTHING 5 star about it ....... i mean NOTHING!!
(1)
Ronda L.
BBQ was ok the tri tip was the best there mild sauce is too hot and the beans were mushy. The beef ribs didn't have much meat and the pull pork too dry. The Mac salad was a little spicy. Potato salad was the best side.
(3)
Alexander S.
After a relaxing Hot Spring...my wife went over to Busters BBQ! This was our first time food was great! Maybe not traditional southern BBQ but tasty! The spicy sauce is flaming hot!!!! Beware!!! Goodness but burning!!!!
(4)
Edi G.
If you're looking for hospitality this is not the place for you. They have the best southern BBQ in napa valley. I highly recommend the tri tip sandwich with medium BBQ sauce. I wish the place was just a little cleaner. If you're looking for a great tri tip this is the place.
(4)
James D.
Service was horrible. The elderly, obese, Caucasian lady that was working the cashier was extremely rude. She has been rude every time I have been there. They also charge $1.65 for about 1oz of extra sauce. Food is alright, but does not make up for the lack of service.
(1)
Christina L.
Maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of BBQ food, but I wasn't too impressed. Even the tritip, which is supposed to be amazing wasn't. For me, it was overcooked and dry. In fact, most of the various cuts of meat we got to share were dry. Even though the spicy BBQ sauce had my tongue and mouth burning in a good way, it didn't make up for the lackluster, disappointing meats.
(2)
Alex C.
See everyone else's reviews. This place is Bomb! The sides were too small though, and only average in flavor. Next time I'm just getting the tri-tip and ribs and taking it home and make my own sides. Other than the sides, they know how to make the best BBQ. I love the hot BBQ sauce. The outdoor sink is convenient so you can wash your hands without touching any door handles or making a mess everywhere. Customer service can be better, but I'm still giving it 4 stars because the meat is soooo good and makes up for it.
(4)
Keith A.
This place is AWESOME!!!!! The sauce is superb and the service is super duper fast. The ribs and hot links are so dang good. I wish I had two stomachs LOL. Lemonade is a bit too sweet, but I really didn't care. It's worth the trip to go up there for me!
(5)
Diane C.
What a divine find this place is for down home southern barbeque. I loved the tri tip dinner that was served with crunchy gooey buttery garlicky toast. The tri tip was juicy, heavenly seasoned, close your eyes and drool - GOOD. I had both barbeque sauces- regular and habenero...YESSS! My side dishes were the cole slaw which had a secret ingredient of pineapple...nicely done and chili beans. I loved the clientele- bikers, college students, yuppie, preppie, wine tasters, locals, and folks like me...LOL...What a joyful meal it was in more ways than one. Wear jeans, bring an empty tummy and be prepared to share a table with perhaps your next new friend! Yummy yum yum. *s*
(4)
Gary A.
The Tri tip sandwich is wonderful, I got half regular and half hot sauce on mine, it was perfect. The meat was tender and the combination of the sauce made for a great sandwich. I got beans for my side, very average. It's a small place and you stand in line to order, the service was excellent. Take this place for what it is, a BBQ joint, don't expect fancy plates and lots of condiments. Also, I came here for the food not to examine the bathroom like some people! I'd give it 5 stars but the price is a little high. If you are in the area check it out.
(4)
Tiffany N.
Buster's BBQ is so not the kind of place I picture eating at in Napa. It's essentially a walk-up window where you order your BBQ and then wait. Once you're called you take your (delicious) food to a wooden table and eat up. If the weather is nice you can sit by the windows. If the day is cold you can cozy up to the outdoor heaters and sit under the roof closer to the center. A word of warning here, spicy is ridiculously spicy. I recommend asking for half spicy and half mild so you can enjoy the flavor of the meat you choose. Three bean salad, baked beans, pork, and beef are all fantastic choices that I've personally had the pleasure of eating. And no BBQ meal is complete without cornbread so make sure you get some of that too.
(4)
Carolyn D.
Our noses led us to Busters! Heading through Calistoga on the way to Sonoma, we smelled heaven and had to give it a try. To be perfectly honest, is it the best BBQ in the universe? No. Is it a bargain? No (you're in WINE country). But it is completely unpretentious, delicious, home style BBQ. I'm not a fan of saucy BBQ (daughter of a Texan and from SoCal), so the super tender dry rubbed tri tip was delicious to me. BBQ sides are all up to individual interpretation--as many ways to make beans and coleslaw as there are people making them. Totally decent. We have talked about it all year, and its definitely on the list for this years' trip. Kinda fun to taste at Chateau Montelena with a belly full of Busters!
(4)
Seth S.
I worked in Calistoga on and off for two years. Every time I was in town, Buster's was mandatory. I gave Busters five stars, but please do not think this is a Three Star Michelin restaurant or a fancy sit down white cloth dining venue. This is BBQ, without pretension. When you walk up you are greeted by the smell of burning oak and meat grilling. The place is a shack and parking can be challenging at times. The eating area is an open space with large long tables, almost like picnic benches, but the chairs pull out and are very stout. You line up at one end like a cafeteria, tell them the meat you want, they cut it, pile it high, and pass it on to the next server. Then you choose your sides, your drinks, and desert. I've had BBQ in Memphis, Santa Maria, South Carolina, and Texas. For my personal taste I like Busters the best. Also, for the beginner, if you like it spicy get your sauce half and half. Spicy is truly spicy. Try and get there by 11 am. All the local construction and road crews know about this place and it's packed at noon. Lastly, in the winter it's chilly. Bring a coat as the heaters don't always keep the dining area/patio warm.
(5)
Julian P.
There really is no question about it and I will argue with anyone that tries to say differently about the fact that Buster's is the best bbq in Napa Valley and quite possibly the North Bay. Their ribs are fall off the bone tender, and California's favorite tri-tip is slow smoked and one of the juiciest, tastiest, most tender tri-tips I have ever tasted. You can get it as a sandwich, or as a meal with beans or cole slow and a piece of fresh baked bread. Their bbq and hot sauces are all house made and can be bought in individual bottles. WARNING: when they say the hot sauce is hot, THEY MEAN THE HOT SAUCE IS HOT!! I would recommend trying it before having them smother your meal in it as they can cut it with regular bbq sauce and make it more bearable. Or if you feel like being risky or showing off, then go for it! From Napa, it is a bit of a drive, but it is absolutely beautiful on the way up and when you get there you will not be disappointed. Get there a little early as space for parking and sitting is limited and it gets realllly busy at lunch. They serve out of basically a double wide trailer so the whole place is small but there is outdoor covered seating. If you want real bbq Southern style with a California twist, come to Busters!!
(5)
TJ J.
Buster's Southern BBQ & Bakery. Is there any long time resident of Napa Valley who has not heard of Buster's or seen him out there doing BBQ? For many years I've seen him out there with the smoke and picnic tables but never got around to stopping in. When we finally made it we found a new restaurant of sorts, something enclosed, where you order at the counter. The BBQ is still there and so are the picnic tables but Buster's now has shelter for winter weather. Buster's is famous for its Tri-Tip Sandwich, although the pork loin has its fans. Baked beans as a side are always recommended and we recommend them too. The cole slaw is good but sweet, with pineapple. I would try something else next time, but you might really like it. You can also order two way dishes with two sides, a huge meal for $16 if you don't want just a sandwich and one side for about $8.50. Oysters are also highly recommended but seasonal so I did not get to try them. I'll be back in the summer, though. If you read the other Yelp reviews, you will find some that say the hot sauce is really hot. You can order it mild or hot. Half-and-half was not very hot. If you are a chili head or use to Dave's Insanity then even the hot will not be hot enough for you and you might want to bring more heat along. I could easily have had only hot. My friend preferred half-and-half. If you do not like any heat then opt for the mild, but it is super mild. The hot is only hot if you are not into hot sauces. If you are, then it will be rather mild compared to real hot sauces. It just depends on where you are on hot sauces. If you live in Napa Valley and have not visited Buster's then you have missed a Valley landmark. If you are visiting, then I'd encourage you to visit some of the really fine Calistoga wineries and take in Buster's at the same time. Being no expert, by any means, on BBQ, I cannot attest to whether Buster's is real Southern, Texan, Louisiana or whatever. If you are a real BBQ expert, then you know much more than I do. My friend and I can only say that for the average person, Buster's is necessary visit. We thought the food was very good. I just wish I could have met Buster himself. He was there earlier in the day, but we missed him.
(4)
Star G.
My tri-tip sandwich was decent but nothing that will make me want to go back. The sauce was different for Southern. Most Southern sauces are really sweet. This one seemed heavy on chili powder. ...Not the cleanest place either.
(2)
Daniel G.
Stopped here on a ride through town. Food was't bad. Pretty much what I expected but nothing spectacular. There spicy BBQ sauce is pretty good and they are sure to remind you that it is real hot. Nice place.... I'm glad we stopped and tried it. I may go again but I wouldn't go out of my way. Next time through town We will probably try something else.
(4)
Dustin P.
Hot means HOT!!! They have this posted next to the order window, I strongly recommend you pay attention as their "hot" bbq sauce is HOT!!! Tri-tip sandwich was great and the meat was tender. Defently will stop by again next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Rebecca P.
First time there and the prices seemed a little high but after eating the pulled pork sandwich it was well worth it. I was a little hesitant about the pineapple in the coleslaw because I tend to like it not so sweet but it was absolutely delicious. I like the slaw on my pulled pork sandwich and all the flavor combinations melded perfectly. I also tried the macaroni salad and it was very good, close to how I make it at home. A little disappointed that the sides are all extra but they're very tasty. Don't forget to try the corn muffin. The portions were not huge but plenty and I left quite satisfied. I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)
Victoria Putri T.
This place is the most delicious spot for tri-tip. I have tried tri-tip all over cities in Norcal and Socal. Buster's is seriously the most tasty and salivating place to get a tri-tip. Their sauce is one of a kind, half and half is the perfffect amount a spice for a fellow spicy-kick lover for your meat! Sides are delicious! I am not a beans person at all, but for some reason Buster's baked beans are to die for! The corn bread is the best corn bread I've ever tasted in my life. Words can't describe how amazing Buster's is. The value is totally worth it. Highly recommended.Buster's will never get old. Love this place to death! A tri-tip meal for under $10? Just amazing! I love it so much it makes me want to cry.
(5)
Richard M.
I would rate six stars if I could. I've been eating here for a few years now, and they've never let me down.
(5)
Eric S.
The Holy Grail of BBQ My first week I worked in the area I went to lunch there 4 out of 5 days. Everything I have eaten there is amazing. My favorite is the Tri Tip, its sooooooooo good. Ribs are fall off the bone, Pulled pork is perfect, Chicken is very moist, Beans a great, Slaw is one of the best i've every had, Mac Salad taste like my moms. (PERFECT) I recommend EVERYTHING Oh Ya....The hot BBQ sauce is well HHHHOOOOTTTT
(5)
Erich V.
When I bit into my first beef rib I had the thought, "These aren't that good. They're a just a little bit too tough and stringy." Then after I finished the second one I realized that for the past five minutes all linguistic thoughts had shut off and I was focused solely on the physical task and enjoyment of eating those ribs as efficiently as possible. The meat wasn't falling off the bone, it needed to be bitten off and I was deriving a distinct animalistic pleasure doing so. I put down the second rib and thought, "These are really good." Then I made sure to slow down and savor the rest. Afterwards I had a short chat with the eponymous Buster and he confirmed that the dogs chilling outside do not want for their fill of beef rib bones. According to him one of the dogs eats enough to live, but the other lives to eat. I think I'm on Dog #2's side.
(5)
Dirk W.
One of the best ways to end a day of wine tasting in Napa/St Helena/Yountville/Calistoga. Right here at Buster's. Whether it's ribs, pork or beef . . . or tri-tip . . . and the sides of beans, cole slaw, macaroni or potato salads, it is a meat-lovers BBQ paradise. And nice to eat outdoors or in their air conditioned dining room. Remember to bring your bib. The BIG one.
(4)
Carl L.
This place has some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The hot links were flavorfully crafted, the hot sauce is the hottest hot sauce I've enjoyed in BBQ, and the pulled pork is perfectly marinated, NOT drowned in sauce. You can tell its authentic by the fact it's an open pit BBQ, a shack where they cut and serve the meat, and a covered porch to sit under. Comes with a garlic-butter slathered bread roll that perfectly absorbs the hot sauce as well as the meat flavor as you make your own sandwich. If I'm ever within 20 miles of this place, I'll be checking in for lunch.
(5)
Patricia Z.
It is very hard to resist meat, especially after wine tasting in Napa. I ordered a rack of beef ribs with a corn muffin, and it was amazing. Pros: -Full rack of beef means FULL RACK. None of those small bones with meager scraps of meat that you have to gnaw at -Mild BBQ sauce is tangy and is not overly sweet -Corn muffin. Not too dense, not too airy. Pairs well with meat! -There were enough leftovers to last me another meal (or two) Cons: -I prefer my ribs to be tender to the point where they fall off the bone. These ribs were slightly too tough in certain areas -I wish I asked for sauce on the side, because I also don't like my ribs being drenched in sauce
(5)
Patricia R.
Best southern barbecue in the heart of Napa valley!!! This place must be illegal, the food is amazing. Perfect place to finish a good wine tasting during the summer time. As a local, I love to stop by and get some BBQ to take home or just to simple eat it there with a good beer. My favorite are the brisket and the pork sandwiches. They get little messy when you eat them, but it so good that makes suck your fingers. The meat is really tender, fresh and with a great BBQ flavor. The beans and the beer are also really good, great flavor. This is a place that you must go and don't miss from your visit. This place demonstrate that Napa Valley is not only wine.
(5)
Sue L.
As we passed this place on the way to the wineries we saw that it was a bit busy so made the mental note that if we were still hungry on the way back we would call in. It was a mixed experience. The hot dogs were nothing to write home about but the pulled pork sandwich with the "no refund" hot sauce was pretty good and messy. There is a sink, towels and soap near the kitchen for before and after. The coleslaw was a bit sweet but OK and prob caters to the locals. The hot sauce....it was bloody hot...but I ate it.
(4)
Ben M.
This spot has been a longtime staple at the main intersection in Calistoga. i have never been disappointed!
(5)
Jackeline H.
I came here with 3 friends, we didn't know where to eat near the last winery we visited in Napa, and we yelped , we discover this awesome place :) the food was super tasty, tri tip was juicy and really yumi, bbq sauce awesome !! highly recomend this place :)
(5)
Justin G.
This won't be one of my go to BBQ spots. After highly anticipating some delicious BBQ , I was disappointed... I thought everything was dry, the bread was not Southern BBQ bread, the side of Mac Salad didn't taste good at all, the servers were not polite. The side of beans were the best part! The savior of the meal were the beans. I smothered the chicken and ribs in the beans for moisturization. Needless to say, I won't be recommending this one. Next time I wouldn't call this Southern BBQ, I would call it Calistoga roadside BBQ .. Perhaps if "Buster", the owner, was here it would be a different story, so please come back Buster and re-teach your staff how to cook. I bet you can cook up some mean BBQ.
(2)
Angelica C.
3 beef ribs, 2 sides, garlic bread, and medium lemonade cost 15.60usd Line can be long on the weekends, even for a late lunch. There's indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit outside, cars from the lot drive right by you and you'll end up smelling like bbq. Food is excellent and worth the wait.
(5)
Luka T.
This was the worst experience I had with my family.. We went there yesterday and I ordered the half chicken baked beans and potato salad.. And it was the worst experience chicken was so dry I couldn't even eat it..my daughter ended up throwing her chicken on the floor because it wasn't good..flies and bees all over by the trash and where people prefer there food and the floor was wet and slippery .. Tri tip no flavor and ribs wasn't all that...for the price it's not worth it... This place sucks can't even give the a star...customers service was not even good they don't even look happy to be there
(1)
Diane V.
This is THE place for BBQ! Stopped here for lunch & can't wait to come back! Got the Pulled Pork sandwich with mild sauce, potato salad for my side & water to drink, is very "warm" today & the only thing wrong with my meal... not enough room left for some Sweet Potato Pie.
(4)
Marshall H.
We visited Busters today and all I can say is, Busters should be busted. I had a 1/2 slab of Salt pork Jerky, that he sells as Ribs. I had 2 sides, Chile beans ( right from the can) and some other indescribable noodle, tasteless, store-bought crap. This isn't Barbecue, the meat is salted and thrown into a dehumidifying electric smoker, that he forgot to put wood in. Save your money and keep driving.
(1)
Melissa H.
The meat here is okay but it's the supporting cast that threw me off. I have yet to find a BBQ place in this area that satisfies my expectations. Maybe my expectations are too high? We ARE in California not Texas. I got a tri-tip sandwich with baked beans and an extra side of Macaroni Salad. Tri-Tip - Good, moist, tender Sauce - Not my style of BBQ sauce, I expect more tanginess and sweetness Macaroni Salad - Terrible and really salty, I felt like I was eating a glob of pasta with mayo and salt. Yuck! No flavor at all besides the mayo and salt. I never thought somebody could actually mess up Mac Salad, what the heck? Bread - Non-descript. It also appears their garlic bread is simply white bread with flavored melted butter. What a dishonor to garlic bread everywhere! Baked Beans - Standard, no complaints Now, I got violently ill after I started eating. I won't say that it was the food that made me ill because it appeared I was dehydrated but it certainly didn't help make the experience a positive memory. I wouldn't be opposed to giving this place a second chance. Maybe next time I can bring my own BBQ Sauce (kidding.. maybe) and the meal won't be half bad.
(2)
Tiffany S.
The food was excellent, the ordering process went fast and it was very easy to find! 5 stars for this one! The baked beans have some sort of flavor that I can't quite figure out but it's so great! The mild sauce has a bold smokey twang to it that makes me want more and more. So apparently their sides are all unique in their own flavorful way. The coleslaw has a sweet fresh taste to it which is also fabulous. I had the tri tip dinner which was $12 and came with a ton of meat and two sides along with two pieces of buttered garlic bread that you can make into a tri tip sandwich. The trip tip looked a little dry and I was worried it would taste that way but when I took a bite without sauce of course it was perfect! I could have eaten it without the sauce but once I dipped it I couldn't stop dipping it! The sauce is bomb!! Oh I just had another bite of the coleslaw and I figured out the sweetness!! It's pineapple!! Pineapples in coleslaw, yum!! So you order at this little window and ten pay at the other one. They have a covered porch type area to sit and eat at. For a little off the beaten path find, I'm a fan!!
(5)
Jason G.
If you are ever in Calistoga it's a must I just murdered a combination plate, half chicken half tri tip , the spicy sauce is somethin else so be ready for it The tri tip is world class and i would put,it up against any i have tried My only complaint was the elevator music they play is terrible, play some rock and roll buster! ! Cant wait to get back to Busters i can smell it from miles away Yummmmm
(5)
Mike M.
Fantastic BBQ Beef Ribs! It is getting more and more difficult to find a place that serves BBQ BEEF Ribs. This place offers delicious BBQ BEEF Ribs. They are to be applauded for having BEEF ribs and for preparing them so deliciously! You order at a window and then when it is ready, you take your plates to an outdoor table or to a table in an adjacent indoor structure. Low on ambiance, but high on terrific flavor!
(5)
Vicky H.
Three words: BUSTER'S HOT SAUCE! It is addictive-ly spicy. Pairs amazing with their bbq meat. I've only tried the tri-tip but apparently the racks are amazing as well. I come here every time I'm in town. Must get the beans!!!
(5)
Samantha L.
My new go to spot when visiting Calistoga. Great little spot right off the main street. The line went quick and the food was fabulous. Perfect for a quick stop in between wine tastings.
(5)
Angela J.
The BBQ rib is a highlight! Long line waiting but food was served very fast. Corn bread as side order was also good. Only drawback is that you have to either take to go or sit outside where a lot of flies come after your food.
(3)
Daniel W.
When you get a hankering for good old fashioned barbecue, and you're in the famous Napa Valley, tired of all the fancy shmancy restaurants, then head your motorcycle or car over to Busters! This is a real good old fashioned barbecue place, where they smoke then meet outside on hardwood Tellme you order at the window and watch and put everything together, and you can either eat outside, or if it's a hot day in there air conditioned dining room. Everything simple, straightforward, delicious, and even reasonably priced. for a quick snack, the chili dogs are excellent, and only $6
(4)
Tiffany M.
Finer licking good is all I can say or post about their pork ribs! Husband got pulled pork on garlic toast and was also just as pleased!
(4)
Mike F.
A person in Napa advised me of this place because I was camping nearby... It was a Monday afternoon (5pm'ish) and I wasn't quite sure if it was open but I parked anyway & walked up to the counter. The counter attendant was pleasant and I ordered a hot link sandwich with potato salad ($10.50), she asked if I wanted regular or spicy BBQ sauce and I replied "spicy". She warned me that it was really hot but being a lover of spicy I said absolutely... It was really hot & I loved it but wish the potato salad had been really cold to offset it instead of just cool. There was just outside seating on a really hot day and lots of flies (not their fault but still annoying), the napkins are at the tables with a fast food feel where you dispose of your trash but the sausage & sauce were delicious. I want to again say that I love spicy food, I'm a top tier heat level at Thai restaurants and it was hot so be warned. I would definitely come back and have the same meal with the same heat... Thank you Busters
(5)
Ann V.
Best place to go and have a tri tip sandwich. It is the best I have had in years. Always tastes amazing. Must go when in Calistoga.
(5)
Justyn W.
This little spot in Napa Valley was a sick find. I have a friend who used to live in the area for a couple of years and reached out to her to find out where I should consider grabbing a bite after a long, arduous day touring wineries and sipping the finest nectars they had to offer. It just so happened my friend and I had a hankering for some BBQ after heading out of Castello Di Amorosa so we decided to head to Buster's, which was one of my friend's suggestions. It's located right on the corner of a small intersection, but can't really be missed because of the constant flow of people that seemed to be coming in and out of the place. The line moved relatively quick and they have some solid offerings for tri-tip, pulled pork, chicken, sausage and other meats. If you're not one for beans or some variation of slaw/macaroni salad then you MIGHT not find a side that suits you because thats mostly what they offer. I wills say, though, that their french bread is DELICIOUS and you can either get a sandwich or order a full plate and get the bread on the side. I opted for pulled pork, tri-tip, chili beans, cornbread and the french bread. I was not at all disappointed. The meat was extremely moist and flavorful. I kind of regretted having gotten BBQ sauce poured directly on my meat instead of just on the side so I could fully taste the meat and dip as I pleased if needed. I don't think the meat needed any dipping. Be careful because the sauce is quite spicy. They also have some classic American beer options for those who so choose. Overall, if in the area I'd consider going again. But probably not because I'd want to try another new food place during a visit. If you feel like BBQ, though, then def do this!
(4)
Kerry H.
Highly recommend. Love the simplicity of the menu and the place. I had Buster's for the first time yesterday. Very impressed with the quality of meat and style of BBQ. The sauce is definitely HOT so proceed accordingly. But DO PROCEED! A fixture in Calistoga for nearly 2 decades now, I've driven by it 1,000 times and I'm really glad I finally decided to check it out. Tri-tip is to die for!
(5)
Regina C.
droolworthy BBQ all the way in Calistoga. it makes me want to cry that it's allllll the waaaaay in calistoga. y'know, really, the sides are just okay...nothing to rave about there. but the MEATS! if i am ever to have a full on episode of the meat sweats, i want it to be because i've eaten an absurd amount of BBQ from Buster's. i had the beef ribs and the hot link and good god were they delicious. the beef ribs are massive, fatty, meaty, smoky, gut bombing and what dreams are made of. good bbq is hard to find in northern california so i'd say Buster's ranks preTTy high up there in bbq for these parts. if you're in the area, absolutely make your way to busters. sometimes you can catch him bbqing like a boss. also, there's a black dog that roams around who's belly is growing steadily from all the scraps he gets on a daily basis. it's cute.
(4)
Maegan V.
My family drove all the way to Calistoga to try out this BBQ spot. We ordered a large rack of ribs and a few sides, and I must say I've tasted better. The ribs were dry which made the meat chewy and hard to peal off of the bone. Then, their macaroni salad was oddly spicy. It's hard to explain but it tasted a lot like pepper. To top it off, we paid over $120!! For me it definitely wasn't worth the drive or the money..
(2)
Rew C.
Me and a buddy stopped in for something to eat after tasting wine that day. we both had pulled pork sandwiches. The pulled pork was a little dry but was served separate of the bread in a Styrofoam container so you can put as much or little on as you wanted and the serving was hearty. I liked the sauce - kind of a sweet tomato vinegar sauce on a good crusty roll. The Potato Salad - eh, not great, but everyone has there own that they like. I don't find a many that I like as much as my Mom's - it's always high expectations with a low appreciation in the end.
(4)
Luster C.
One of the worst bbq plates I've ever had. Totally dry pork ribs, so they smother it with sauce to hide the fact the meat is not cooked properly. Prepare to tear your teeth out gnawing on the meat. The cole slaw is sweet syrupy finely chopped generic mess, and the potato salad is just a mush of mayo and relish. The three bean salad is just canned, rinsed then reloaded with a spicy Italian dressing. The bread is great fluffy and toasted good until they dunk it in the butter, now you have a sponge sop to eat. Even the bbq chicken and pork loin were dry and chewy. The cashiers are so rushed they don't take the time to listen to you when you order so you have try several times just to complete the process, then the line staff divide the food onto different plates without clear communication, so be careful because our entire plate of meat went missing. This place has so much potential with the facility being great, if they cared about the food and ordering process with improvements all the way around I would think this place could be turned into top notch someday. Don't go unless you're desperate for some kind of lousy bbq.
(1)
SzuYu L.
I like their tri-tip and pork ribs. Best southern style BBQ in Bay Area!
(4)
Crystal H.
Get the pork ribs! The beef ribs are too fatty and tri tip is kind of dry. Coleslaw tasted fruity and Potatoes salad was sour for me.
(3)
Corey J.
If I could give it zero I would. Customer service was non-existent. The ribs looked like they were cooked in a microwave with no evidence of being smoked. The sauce was bitter,store bought bbq sauce would have been a huge improvement. Save yourself the time - don't bother with this place.
(1)
Oleksandr R.
I probably had high expectations after all these reviews and rating... Ribs are not good, portions are small, and in general place is not impressive. Cannot recommend.
(3)
Glen G.
I'm giving Buster's BBQ a 3 stars and that's a bit of a stretch. The food is luke warm and could be more tender. It was tough and at times chewy (had the ribs, pulled pork and tri tip). The flavor is okay, but nothing to scream about. The sides (potatoes salad, baked beans) were the highlight of the meal and even they were too small. The pulled pork was more of a Mexican Stewed pork, not flattering at all. If you just like bbq no matter if it's good or not, try it. But chances are I wouldn't go back... so I'd better adjust to a two stars.
(2)
Chris M.
This might be the best BBQ nearby... But IMO it isn't exceptional BBQ. Been here twice now. Ribs are not fall off the bone tender... Texture was like they were cooked too fast. Taste was decent but could use more bark. Tri tip doesn't have much taste. Would prefer it to be just grilled. Pulled pork was served way past its time - had been sitting in a warmer too long Chicken was pretty good Beans could be from a can but I'm not 100% on that Cole slaw was nice - the apple was a good touch Potato salad not that great Sauce was very smoky and different. I could see how adding the sauce to any of the meats might make them more appealing - I tried everything without sauce. didn't see buster there either time but it was later in day when I went. I think someone trained in the ways of BBQ could crank out much better!!!
(3)
David H.
BBQ and Wine tasting in the Napa Valley !!! Yum !! The pork is great !! The Tri Tip is killer !!!! All are sides were wonderful it was s great lunch !!
(5)
Denny T.
Located at the intersection at the main road into town. This place is hustling busy and for a good delicious barbecue. The location isn't too large but gets plenty enough of patrons as the restaurant appears to have had several expanded sections. The menu is quite extensive for barbecue fair including brisket, pork, chicken and the accompaniments of Mac, Cole slaw, potato salad, beans and the likes. Staff was friendly and helpful. Order was taken and prepared without much delay to enjoy. Flavors and heat were spot on for the several meat plate I ordered. Rubs on the smoke meat were complimentary respect the time and meats for the process. Barbecue sauce choices to add were on point for sweet to the spicier options for items ordered. Good: small shop, great flavors, friendly efficient service. Bad: nothing at this time. Four stars. I'll be back someday.
(4)
Joanna S.
The trip tip sandwich is amazing!!!! I could eat two of those. The lady standing in front of me in line was a local, and said that was the local's favorite as well. I also tried the beef ribs and pork loin. They were good, but not as good as the tri tip sandwich. If you get the plate, it comes with the same garlic toast they use as the sandwich so you can make a sandwich on your own. I think next time, I would get a 2 item plate, with tri tip (to make my own sandwich) and pork ribs. The cole slaw and baked beans were good. But boy oh boy, I love that bbq sauce they use!
(5)
Fred B.
Really, really, REALLY f'ing good barbecue. Need I say more?!? Well, apparently yes, because Yelp insists on more words, so... Great ribs. Great pork loin. Great chicken. Delicious. Fantastic. Wonderful. A carnivore's wet dream (by wet, of course, I mean the mild and hot BBQ sauces...). BTW, when they say "the hot sauce is HOT", they mean it. Great, long tongue burn... :-)
(5)
Vicky S.
There is a reason why they have a sign that says no refunds on the hot sauce. My hubby and friend who are a hot sauce afficianados both agreed that it was really, really hot. So hot that he started hiccuping! The pulled pork and tri tip were excellent the hot links weren't hot but that could be because he ate it after tasting the hot sauce. Baked beans were pretty sweet but not just sweet for sweet sake. Corn bread was good not outstanding. Arnold Palmer was heavy on the lemonade. The inside seating area was cool but if you sit near the windows, the flies are aggressive. Overall great casual dining, a delicious place to refuel for more wine tasting!
(4)
J G.
Highly disappointed. While on a wine trip in the area, we decided to stop by Busters to grab a bite to eat-especially after viewing the positive Yelp reviews. Unfortunately, Yelp set us up for failure. The tri-tip and pork ribs were just ok, the bbq sauce was sub-par, and the bread was forgettable. The below average potato salad was only a pinch better than the store-bought coleslaw. The worst part was the sweet potato pie. Plain horrible. Being from the south, we were expecting some decent Southern BBQ. Maybe our expectations were too high, I don't know. What I do know is we definitely will not be returning here.
(2)
Bradley N.
One of the best things about Buster's BBQ - other than the excellent tri tip and pork loin combo - is the fact that simply by being there it reminds you that Napa Valley is flesh-and-blood real rather than some wine-soaked fantasy land. In just thirty minutes of relaxing and refreshing outdoor dining here, you're likely to encounter more diversity in terms of class, culture, and age range than in a whole day's worth of wine and cheese tastings in Rutherford or Yountville. Buster's is the kind of place that I'll bet President Obama would love for a drive-by lunch if he weren't already booked for a round of fund-raising dinners in Marin County instead (and his Secret Service detail would be happier, too). To accompany your tri-tip and pork loin combo, order a Sierra Nevada on tap and ask for the fresh-made cornbread for $1 extra (instead of the garlic bread), plus some coleslaw and potato salad as sides and - presto! - you've got a $30 meal for two made in open pit BBQ smoked heaven. I'll bet that a lot of Napa wineries in the area rely on Buster's for filling up before or after a long shift in the fields or cellars. We overheard more than one conversation between wine workers and out-of-town visitors to this effect. It's simply hard to argue with a conveniently located, fairly priced, well executed BBQ set-up with ample outdoor seating, clean tables, and cold drinks. A good wine country experience is about livening things up with non-wine related activities: hikes, beer and BBQ, morning coffee and fresh baked goods, evening meals by the campfire, morning walks in the park, maybe a dip in a public swimming pool or visit to a local library. Why not? It's Napa, not Never-Never Land. What the Oxbow Public Market is for the lower end of the valley, Buster's (along with Yo El Rey down the street and around the corner) is for the upper end: a place to hang out, get a good bite to eat that doesn't involve wine pairings or cave tours, and absorb a little local flavor - along with a healthy dose of old fashioned American wood smoke rather than a whiff of air-dried French oak. Thank goodness for that!
(4)
Sean L.
This place is amazing! Great spot if you are in the Calistoga area! Hands down the best tri-tip sandwich I have ever had! This is as authentic as it gets! Must try it whenever possible!
(5)
Amy C.
If instant gratification in the form of salty pork ribs, non garlicky garlic bread and skippable sides is your thing, Buster's is your huckleberry.
(3)
Ted L.
Definitely one of my fav BBQ spots in the Bay Area so far. The meat was certainly the highlight of the place and the sauce just made my mouth water uncontrollably. I think the price is on the higher side which may be the only complaint I have. I got the 2-item plate which runs you $20 but comes with garlic bread and choice of 2 sides. I got the potato salad and chili beans which were both good. If you're in the Calistoga area, I'd say this is definitely a must!!
(4)
Diego M.
What can be said about Buster's that hasn't already been said about Sofia Vergara? Delicious. If you love spicy BBQ Sauce you will love this. They offer varying degrees of heat if you aren't up for the 'Hot'. You can see the meat cooking on the grill outside and you can smell the aroma from a few blocks away in all directions. Warning: you'll want to take a nap after this feast.
(5)
Conlan R.
This place is a must visit when in Calistoga. The sides are pretty decent but the pork ribs are out of this world.
(4)
Dominic Y.
I mean, it's an okay BBQ place. They're tri-tip is a little dry. They sometimes skip out on portions. For being the only place that really serves BBQ around Calistoga and St Helena its okay. Pretty pricey, but not as pricey as other places in the area. But hey, its more of an experience.
(3)
Nancy R.
This throw back setting in Sonoma is a just stop. Open pit barbecue of massive haunches of meat rent the air with oak-fired smoke. Fresh beef and pork, chicken, spicy sausage and hotdogs too! Spicy on fire sauce and home made macaroni salad, cole slaw and all the fixings you want. As you slide down to pay low and behold Sonoma wines, local brews and water and soda! Enjoy!
(5)
Al W.
The best barbecue in the area. Whenever we are in the area, we like to stop by and get their tri-tip sandwiches. They're always busy; but it's worth the wait. Make sure you pickup a bottle of barbecue sauce to bring home and their cornbread.
(4)
J C.
Amazingly delicious! This place is 5 stars for a reason. Stopped in on a saturday afternoon, and while they were busy, they were also really quick with the food. we had the tri tip and the pulled pork; both were delicious; the "hot" barbeque sauce has a warning posted on the window about the heat, and while it didn't disappoint on that aspect, it also had great flavor as well. the baked beans were very tasty as well. my only regret is how far away from home buster's is, as it may be awhile before i make it back. however, next time i'm in the area, i WILL be back, and might have to go out of my way if i'm anywhere close.
(5)
Heather L.
Oh Buster's I really wanted to love you. A good BBQ place is so very hard to find in California. It seemed so promising to see the meat actually being made outside. This was my first experience at Buster's. I live only a couple hours away and I am unlikely to give it another try because there are so many great places to eat in Calistoga. It's Sunday afternoon - still a couple hours to closing time. We order at a window and we opted "to-go" to take back to the Cottages were were staying at just a few hundred feet down the road. The husband orders a Hot Link dinner with 2 sides ( baked beans and potato salad) and it comes with Garlic Bread. I order a 2 item combo - I want beef ribs and a half chicken with chili beans and potato salad - we also order 2 corn breads ( it does say BBQ & Bakery) they are out of Beef ribs so I opt for pork. Why not? The service at the window was not great, the lady helping me apparently had a "day that would never end" and they were training someone new which I am really patient with - because everyone needs a fair shot. We get back to our cottages and set up a nice dinner pour a glass of wine and prepare to open up our boxes of goodness. Disappointment #1 First I notice my ribs are completely missing. Eh - I am really hungry because we didn't have lunch. So I first open up the "garlic toast" which - Disappinemt#2 - is basically a packaged sandwich roll ( something I can buy at Costco) slapped with some ( a little?) melted butter and garlic? I mean didn't it say "Bakery" on the sign? And looking through other Yelp pictures was a completely different bread that is served at other times. So I move on to the Potato salad - Disappointment#3 a which was mayonnaise with some grainy potatoes and crunchy celery thrown in. Nothin' but mayo flavor. Chili beans (#4) - soupy canned beans with a little ground meat and pepper thrown in. Tried the husbands baked beans and they seem like the same beans with way too much brown sugar thrown in. When I finally tried the chicken AT LEAST it was moist. The breast piece at least! But I'm not sure I could recognize the other quarter of the chicken. Maybe some skin, bones and tendon. The HOT BBQ sauce was Spicy and I love hot - but I love hot with flavor and this was just all heat - no taste. The hot link was completely unremarkable. I crossed my fingers that the cornbread redeems this place (Bakery on the sign - remember?) The cornbread was like biting into a sweet sponge-y hockey puck. I guess I just prefer a more grainy, less sweet, pillowy fall apart corn bread. The was just dense and sweet and not my style. The 2 stars is strictly for the fact that the few bites of chicken breast were flavorful and moist and were the best part of the whole $40 ( 2 people) meal.
(2)
Rob D.
This is a good destination for motorcycle riders. It's near the Silverado Trail and other good riding roads in Napa County. The food is real good.
(4)
Matt M.
Decent place for a lunch stop. I got a brisket sandwich, if I remember correctly. The meat was cooked really well, and the sauce on it I found just to be ok. Gotta love these little mom and pop BBQ/comfort food places. That's what I live for. Didn't see the big 4-star yelp hype, but it's a good place to try.
(3)
Erika D.
My family and I tried the pork lion sandwich , pulled pork sandwich, macaroni salad, coleslaw, baked beans, chicken breast sandwich! Everyone enjoyed there meal the food was so yummy for such a little place!!
(4)
Michael B.
I MUST stop here every time I am in Calistoga. The hot BBQ sauce is the hottest and most flavorful you will find anywhere unless you make it yourself. The trip tip is always juicy and the baked bean are great, especially with some of that hot BBQ sauce mixed in. A draft beer on the side and I am in heaven! If you are expecting pretentious Napa dining, keep on moving. This is down home, great food.
(5)
Veronica D.
This place was really good. We stopped by for lunch. Wish they would add tomato and lettuce for the sandwiches.
(4)
Marlene B.
My friend and I ordered the 3 meat combo and shared. Chicken was dry and chewy, not even the sauce could moisten this petrified half chicken. The pork ribs were unseasoned and chewy. Tri-tip was the better of the meats. Well seasoned and medium cooked. Not sure I would go back again since there are many places in town to eat.
(2)
Steven D.
Well, One star for showing up for the parade... Original southern BBQ? I think not. I had pork ribs and chicken, beans and slaw. The meat appeared to be grilled and not smoked, overcooked and dry. No amount of sauce can fix that. It appears to me they are just going thru the motions with no real commitment to quality. I guess it helps that there's no real competition. Fuck 'em!
(1)
Chad G.
You must stop here. Bbq. If that sweet smell of deliciousness didn't get you to lift up your phone from your face, while driving I'm sure, then Something is wrong with you. As you get to the end if the main drag in Calistoga this parking lot full of meat nirvana is there to tempt your senses and fill your belly. Long lines beware, but it goes fast. Tip. Beat the Lunch crowd and finish that 11am tasting faster to get in before 11:45. You should be fine either way, but if you're like me, noon means feeding time and fast. This big guy needs constant feeding. I swear I may be Asian internally. Honestly there is nothing bad on the menu here and pricing is great when comparing to your other Calistoga alternatives. Price is really driven by how much you want to eat, or your pal says they can eat. We also get extras and midnight is another time the stomach calls. And meat leftovers fit that bill nicely. Also, tons of tables to eat outdoors and people watch
(4)
Kim H.
My husband, mother & I got the combos of beef & pork ribs. They were all great. Warning Hot sauce is hot but flavorful!
(5)
Margie D.
Another hidden bbq gem discovered! Those of you who follow me know that I am Southern, and therefore a bbq snob, lol. If there's no smoke, it's not bbq! On our way to St. Helena to visit our daughter at culinary school when we smelled the smoke pouring from Buster's outdoor pits. My wife told it's been there forever and that she used to stop there when the kids were little. This is a small roadside place that reminds me a lot of bbq joints in N. GA. Your order at the first window and pay/pick up at the 2nd window. Prices are a little high IMO but the food was fresh and delicious. I prefer my bbq with the sauce on the side. The regular sauce is zesty an dnot too sweet . The hot bbq sauce is SEARING hot, so don't even go there if you're not willing to sweat a little bit, lol. Actually the saice is so good, I bought two jars to bring home. Not sharing this good stuff with friends who don't know the difference between homemade with love and the bottled crap from Costco ; ) Loses one star for pricing and parking situation (small and tight; lots of huge trucks pull in there for lunch and leave nothing for cars).
(4)
Stephanie M.
Ate here for the first time yesterday. We both had pulled pork sandwiches with mild sauce and they were delicious! I wanted to try the hot sauce, but I wasn't sure how hot it was after I saw the warning signs! Meat is served on buttered garlic bread (not like small crunchy garlic bread served with spaghetti, more like a long roll cut open, slightly toasted, and spread with melted garlic butter). Sandwiches come with one side and we tried the baked beans (good) and 3-bean salad (decent) as our sides. You can get BBQ sauce as a side, which I didn't understand at first, but I saw other customers go with this option and they dipped their sandwiches in it. Saw lots of people get the tri-tip. Might have to try that next time. The place runs smoothly and the setup works well, but it isn't fancy. You order at a window and then go into a separate building to eat or choose a a spot outside. Saw big hunks of meat being cooked outside. Smallest bathroom ever, but has an extra big sink outside to wash the BBQ goodness off.
(4)
Elizabeth Y.
Driving into Calistoga I passed this place, saw the smoke, rolled down my car windows and it smelled amazing. So the next day, after a wine tasting, my group stopped in for a late lunch. It's good ol' casual California bbq. You order at the window and wait for your food, then eat in a semi-open picnic table setting. There is also outdoor seating in the back area, which we didn't see until we were leaving, so they may want to add more signage so customers know. The food is reasonably priced and the sides are tasty. My mother and I split the tri-tip sandwich (she was visiting from the Midwest and tri-tip is rare there so it was a treat for her.) My mother-in-law ordered a sandwich as well, but being gluten-free she asked for no bread. They still gave her the bread so she just set it aside. My 1-year-old niece even liked the meat. Overall, worth it if you want to make a quick stop for lunch that isn't pretentious, super casual and not overpriced like some of the cafes in downtown Calistoga.
(4)
Jo A.
Oh my! Best pulled pork ever! And fabulous lemonade as well! But the pulled pork on garlic roll with your choice of BBQ sauces; regular or nuclear, and cole slaw is just To. Die. For! Tender and juicy, the Hot sauce is REALLY hot, but De-lish!
(5)
Chloe C.
I live in LA - where bbq is aplenty and Phil's BBQ is only a 2 hour drive away, 4 stars for bbq near Napa Valley is quite good! : ) You have to line up outside to order your food. A rack of pork baby back ribs can cost around $29. We tried the rack of pork rips, 1/2 rack of tri-tip, 2 pints of potato/macaroni salad, 2 corn breads, total about $70-$80 for 4 people. It was already enough : ) If you are on a budget you may just order their sandwich, the meat is still cut from the rack and placed into your "torta-looking" bread : ). The meat is cooked outside on a grill, so it is legit BBQ. The meat was very tender and even without the BBQ sauce they give you on the sides, the meat was salted well! The bbq sauce was more tangy but quite good if you want to dip the meat in (or even pour onto your salad)! The sides were ok, but the winners were the meat! Oh yes, they give you two cups of bbq sauce, one "regular" and one "super spicy" - and it is VERY spicy! I wish the seating was open air but they seemed to built a little dining area where the air-conditioning was turned up high! If they had more open-outdoor seating I think this would make it feel more BBQ-ish! : )
(4)
Helen T.
We ordered a combo with pork ribs and tri tip to share. The food was decent and a perfect starter to help us absorb all the wine we were about to have. The macaroni salad comes with cayenne pepper which is delicious! Good place for lunch with some tables on the premises to eat with a large group.
(3)
Kymberley T.
This place is good but has changed thru the years..the tri tip is good an so are the ribs..try corn muffin..it's must not be owned by buster anymore cause I've came here for yrs an you'd usually see buster bbqibg outside but haven't seen that in 5 yrs..but all in all its good
(3)
Mina C.
Stopped off in here on the way to Napa from Calistoga. Winery trip made better by the BBQ. There was a line, and it was long. The seating is limited to inside a tented area with some tables, and some benches outside. If its cold or raining, I might skip this place. The bathroom was small, but clean so I appreciated that, especially after having a couple tastings of wine ;). I would definitely recommend the tri-tips everyone is recommending. I also enjoyed the ribs. The hot sauce had a kick, but it wasn't as spicy as I expected. I was told by the others it was spicy for them, but my tolerance is pretty high, so maybe you should be careful. Baked beans were GOOD. I'd skip the macaroni salad.
(4)
William F.
I stopped here for lunch a couple of days ago because my wife and I were in the area for some wine tasting and wanted a good hearty lunch. We saw that the place had good reviews on Yelp and 1 "$" for price, so we decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed. From the minute you pull into the parking lot of this place, the delicious barbeque smell just hits you in the face, inviting you in. I got the hot links dinner plate, which came with two sides (I chose macaroni salad and cole slaw). All three were delicious. The hot links came slathered in barbeque sauce, had a nice kick to them, and were a tasty meal. The macaroni salad was a little heavy (lots of mayo), but it had a decent flavor, and was only a couple of bites anyway. The cole slaw was run-of-the-mill and pretty tasty. My wife went with the two-item combination plate, choosing beef ribs and pulled pork, which also came with two sides, and she chose baked beans and potato salad. I tried everything except the potato salad. The beef ribs were a little bit tough and chewy; they were decent but the worst part of the meal. The pulled pork was tangy and delicious and the baked beans were pretty standard. As far as price goes, I don't think I would call one dollar sign accurate. It wasn't super pricey, but it definitely wasn't dirt cheap either. All in all, it was a good dining experience, and is definitely a place I would go back to/recommend to someone to try. The hot links were probably the highlight of the meal for me; they were superb.
(4)
V M.
Saw this place on a travel show and wanted to try it out. We came here on a Sunday after it had opened for the day and were the only ones there. We both ordered the bbq pulled pork sandwich. It was really messy (as should be expected) but I didn't care too much for it. The bbq was too steong for me and it kind of ruined the sandwich. The meat was very tasty! Buster was there with his dogs and we watched the staff grill up the meat...smelled delicious! Would come back to try the other items on the menu if we're in the area.
(3)
JR B.
Went on Friday night around closing, we asked if they were open, they said yes. We ordered pork ribs cause they ran out of beef. They served us ice cold ribs, ice cold beans (even though we ordered chili), the macaroni salad was salty and the potatoe salad was horrible. They charged us full price for ribs that have been sitting around in a bucket for hours. At 7:30 they left, we were still eating so they asked us to turn lights out. This just shows me that there is no focus on the quality of their food. To serve this crap that has been sitting around without even bothering to warm it up. No respect for customers, no return visit from me. Horrible.
(1)
Jessie L.
This is our favorite place to go for lunch when we are up in the Calistoga area. I'm always too eager to start stuffing my face to pause and take a picture of the food, so I don't have any pictures to share. You'll have to take my word for it: the BBQ is delicious. We've had the baby back ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ chicken sandwich, baked beans, and corn bread. It is all fantastic. My favorite is the baby back ribs with both the spicy BBQ sauce and the mild BBQ sauce. The spicy sauce is really spicy, so I alternate dips between the two. I usually get everything to go, so they give you the sauces on the side. I love that it's just a humble, honest BBQ joint with nice people behind the counter. You order at the window, pay at the next window, and be on your merry way. The place is really busy, so be prepared for a line because the food is that good.
(5)
Bigg M.
This place is amazing. I've tried the pull pork sandwich and the sweet potato pie is a must!
(5)
Guy P.
This is a fast food place. You order on one place , take the good and sit nearby . Food is reasonable. We try all types , the preferred was pulled pork sandwich and tri tip meal . The cashier made few mistake on the bill , so pay attention !
(3)
Emily K.
Hungry after a long hike, we wanted BBQ. UPDATE! After posting this review, loud drilling began next to us where they were removing a seating area. Couldn't be done in the morning instead? According to Barbara, the owner, no. Pluses- Tender meats(if you can get over the sauce flavor - see below), friendly staff, nice outdoor ambience. Minuses- -No garlic on garlic bread, just plain butter on store-bought hoagie rolls. -BBQ sauce looks scrumptious but is overwhelmingly cumin-y -potato and macaroni salads had a creepy mystery flavor I can't compare to anything. Overall not palatable -baked beans filled me up and were generally ok but I've had tastier from a quality brand can
(2)
Lisa F.
Great BBQ. Large portions. We shared a 3 combo plate and had leftovers. Cole slaw and baked beans were delicious. Their hot sauce is really hot -- and I like spicy! Get the mild sauce and ask for a small cup of the hot sauce on the side. Only downside was the bread -- it's not as good as everything else. We'll definitely return!
(4)
Daniel F.
Awesome BBQ! Be warned, the hot sauce is actually hot! Great spot in a small town in walking distance to many shops.
(5)
Steven F.
Wow, I've eaten at busters for years the quality of the food the quantity of the food and the professionalism of the workers has went downhill so bad that I don't think I'll ever go back. I called Buster tonight after I ate there and was so disappointed with the food and I was so disappointed with the conversation that I had with him. His words were he doesn't read yelp doesn't care too and doesn't care what people think. Call him yourself and complain and see what you get. I was blown away if I ran my business like that I would be out of business. I know the food there is good four days a week you just have to figure out which four days it is.
(1)
Nathan M.
Best tri-tip sandwich I've ever had. Yum.
(5)
sasha h.
5 stars for the sides - cornbread, baked beans (amazing) and potato salad (this is less good than the others). The beans are also vegetarian 4 stars for the tri-tip sandwich and the bbq sauce. Note the hot is actually spicy 3 stars for the garlic bread the sandwich comes on, it's pretty good 2 stars for the chicken sandwich. It was completely overcooked. I barely ate one bite of chicken because i couldn't find pieces that were soft enough to chew cheap, fast service, totally casual. I don't think it tastes like the south but i might go again if i were told the chicken was properly cooked this time around
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Amanda C.
If you need a casual meal in the Napa Valley, I usually recommend Buster's or Taylor's. Both are terrific and yet very different from one another. Buster's (thankfully) escapes the masses because it's in sleepy Calistoga, whereas it's possible for pregnant women to give birth in the line at Taylor's and still not have food by the kid's first birthday. For a real "no fuss" dining experience, Buster's is the best bet. The food at Buster's is satisfying, though admittedly not earth-shattering. Part of my problem is that the pork and the tri-tip can be (almost always are) overcooked. It's a total bummer because the food is delicious when cooked perfectly. Also, I never eat here since we live close by, but the seating area is meh. If you can take the food to a sunny location or home, I'd recommend that instead. Besides the dryness/overcooked issue, I've got few complaints. The ribs, chicken, hot links (my favorite), the mac salad, potato salad, baked beans, garlic toast, and cole slaw are all AMAZing. The BBQ sauce is killer, but be warned- when they say "hot," they mean HOT. Even the mild sauce is hot for someone like my dad. Go with mild unless you like to be in pain after your meal... the mild sauce is by no means any less flavorful or fantastic. Buster's mild sauce = slice of heaven. It's not dirt cheap here, but compared to all the expensive eateries in the Napa Valley, Buster's is a steal. Hours can be sketchy, so call ahead and make sure they're open!
(4)Rick B.
Tasty and affordable. Easy to find right on Hwy 29 with ample parking and seating. Their "keep it simple" approach is part of the reason people keep coming back.
(4)Bryan M.
Bomb. Tri Tip tasty. Hot link yummy. Beans mmm. Lemonade woo hoo. Price right.
(5)William M.
This is some of the best BBQ I've had. The hot BBQ sauce was in fact very hot, but it was also very good. I definitely preferred it over the mild. I had the tri-tip sandwich with the baked beans and both items were spectacular. The homemade lemonade just made the dish complete. This was definitely well worth the drive, and we'll be going back again.
(5)Wendy D.
Stopped for lunch and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Disappointed in the amount of meat on the roll. Brushing a roll with butter does not make it garlic toast ( plus no flavor of garlic at all) too much juice in the meat so the roll started falling apart and about 2 tbsp of coleslaw. With a small soda, $12; a bit too pricey for what you get. The flavor of the pork was good and very tender. I think if they just paid a little more attention to how they serve their food it could be really good.
(2)Raymond L V.
Had lunch here with some friends yesterday. I had the tri-tip sandwich with hot bbq sauce and a side of slaw. I really enjoyed it but be careful ordering the hot sauce. They are not kidding it is flaming hot! I am okay with heat but I can see how that average person would leave with their mouth on fire! I would recommend ordering your sauce half regular and half hot. The slaw was a perfect foil to the heat. I will be back!
(4)Rory H.
Texans and the other Southerners on vacation this is where you can find refuge. Big picnic tables, lots of napkins and some messy barbeque. The sauce is the dark maroon stuff and a lil tangy sweet. The spicy sauce will lite you up with plenty of pepper so make sure you got lots of drink. The meat is nice and smokey, I don't think you could order something wrong here just whatever you get make sure its smothered in sauce. Then all you need is some cold shiner bock and Texas Country Music playing and this place could be somewhere down in the Hill Country.
(4)Andrew G.
The solid BBQ corner stone of Calistoga CA. The wafting scent of hardwood BBQ is unavoidable to hungry travelers passing through. On a warm spring day there's nothing better than getting elbow deep in a BBQ pork loin sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans and a ice cold lemonade. I save this meal as a ritual treat as the prices is rather high and the distance makes the stomach grow fonder.
(4)JP M.
This was my secret BBQ Hideaway over the last several months. I could just shoot in for a great tri-tip sandwich and head back to work. Now it seems that everybody has discovered it, since they did a remodel to the outdoor seating area. Now I find a line every time I go there. Ummm....stay away....the food is awful....yeah....it's is NOT GOOD at all. Stay away especially on Fridays between 11:30 and Noon when I am trying to grab a quick sandwich.
(5)Lisa J.
All you really need to know is that seconds before you approach the driveway you will smell the heavenly aroma coming from the smoker. This is the best kind of BBQ joint -- no pretentious, overdone, stuffy restaurant here. Just a counter with quick service and a seat-yourself lunchroom-style dining area. We ordered the tri-tip sandwich with potato salad side, and the Pork Ribs meal with baked beans and cole slaw. You have an option of medium or hot sauce and I had seen other reviewers notes about the hot so we both played it safe. The sauce is AMAZING. Lightly spiced, a bit of sweet and a bit of vinegar. The tri-tip was perfectly cooked, very tender. Served plainly on garlic toast with plenty of sauce sopped all over it, sloppy-joe style. My husband thought that the portion was a little on the small size but both of our tummies were happy when we walked out, so maybe this is like "I could have eaten that till I was sick" too small. He loved the potato salad -- not too mayonnaisy and very flavorful. I loved mine, but have to admit I have had better pork ribs before. They did not quite fall off the bone. But the smoky flavor was awesome with the sauce and I ate every last morsel. The baked beans are yummy but the cole slaw was just okay. We stuck with soda's but they did have bottle and draft beer and a few wines. If you are in the mood for BBQ, this is well worth the stop.
(4)Plus U.
Got a tip from a local at Old Faithful to give Buster's a try. It was 100% worth the visit. Tri tip sandwich was outstanding with sides, cornbread and the infamous hot sauce. Next time I'd go 1/2 hot 1/2 regular on the sauce - don't forget this next time you visit. We'll be back someday, thanks for some sweet Southern cooking, Napa style.
(4)Jess T.
The boyfriend bought me some Valentine's Day BBQ. Flowers and chocolates don't got nothing on a solid tri-tip sandwich. And this, my friends, is a solid tri-tip sandwich.
(4)Edward C.
went here about two years ago, it got a lot of hype from all the locals we met. it was really good and hit the spot after some wine tasting. looking forward to visiting again when i ride though...
(5)Julie F.
Who would have known that Buster's existed on the way to Calistoga! We drove by and saw all the meats smoking outside and we knew had to stop and try it and apparently so did everyone else! Buster's was pretty packed, I guess considering it was lunch time there was a long line! Good thing for the line because it took us forever to decide what to order. We finally settled on the "dinner menu" tri tip sirloin in hot bbq sauce and pork ribs with sides of beans, potato salad, mac salad and of course their YUMMY texas toast. The food was excellent and devoured completely! Seems like Busters is the place to go on a bike or in a car!
(4)Stacey R.
Top of the line BBQ joint! Smokes out the intersection daily! You cant miss it. Friendly staff and Buster is the BBQ master.
(5)Kevin A.
Amazing bbq! Although the quality has gone down this place is still my favorite bbq place to go. If you haven't tried it you must! Just be careful the hot sauce is extremely hot!!!!!!!
(5)C. L. B.
I don't think about this place often enough. The BBQ is good, consistent, and flavorful. Every time I am here I promise myself that I will eat here more often. To make a perfect world I would change two things - I think the sides are limited, and I like to have pickles and onions with my BBQ. Also, the staff is always cordial, attentive, and quick with your order, and the place is always clean. Definitely the best place in Napa Valley to eat BBQ! See my BarberQ review.
(4)Joel A.
Shuckin and jiven abound. One of the last customers on the close of a busy day. Staff was as good as the food, tri tip sandwich one of the best in the west. Don't change anything and I'll be back more than once or twice.
(4)Claire G.
Hands-down our favorite roadside barbecue in the Napa Valley. Cannot beat their fresh and delicious tri tip sandwiches with their homemade barbecue sauce and beans. It's a do not miss while in Calistoga. PS gets very busy on the weekends!
(4)Tracy B.
We ate here for the first time today. We so wanted to love it, but there just wasn't anything special about. The meat was decent (a little fatty, a little chewy) quality but tasteless by itself. The sauce was the only flavor and it tasted like canned chili dog seasoning. The two sides we tried were not any better. The coleslaw wasn't bad but a little fruity for my taste. Speaking of taste, the macaroni had one taste, Salty, with no other flavor, unless you count the cayenne after-burn. Perhaps our BBQ taste leans more towards Kansas City-style, than southern style. But, for us, this was a miss.
(2)Gina L.
Incredible barbecue! I had the pork ribs(delicious!) and the pork loin(great flavor, better with the sauce) with hot sauce on the side, they are not kidding when they say the hot sauce is HOT! The boyfriend got the pork ribs and tri tip(amazing! I was jealous I didn't get it myself) with the medium sauce on the side(just the right amount of spice). The garlic bread was really tasty as we're the macaroni and potato salad sides. Coleslaw was a little sweet for my taste but still a solid 5 stars. A must try if you're in the area!
(5)David W.
havent been here in years, but me and lady were visiting good ol napa valley this weekend and I gotta say, Buster's still got it! Had my usual, tri-tip sandwich w hot bbq sauce and a side of baked beans. I mean whats not to love? this place gets busy fast, something to keep in mind during lunch time. Also the chicken sandwich is on point!
(5)Sharon K.
Discovered this as I was driving in Calistoga. Smelled this from the road and immediately did a u turn to try them. OMG insanely delicious!!!!! Everything was perfect! Not overly salty but with big flavors. Their hot sauce was SPICY!!!! Just awesome!!!! MUST MUST try!!!!!
(5)Derek S.
Great little spot that really hit the spot. I had the bbq chicken sandwich with baked beans and a corn bread muffin. The lady had the pulled pork sandwich. Both were excellent. the BBQ sauce they use is perfectly sweet and tangy but not too spicy. The lemonade was way too sugary but overall the food was great!
(4)Charmaine S.
10/19/13 Comatose!! This place is so GOOD!! The portions are amazing and the BBQ is authentic and delicious. Small spot near Napa. Definitely a hidden gem. Definitely find this spot to sober up and soak up some of that wine before heading back out for tastings.
(4)Paul C.
First of all, Buster's saved my day. On our trip back from San Francisco to Reno I had planned to take the long way up 101 and stop off at a "trendy" country restaurant that has become quite popular from what I understand. But, alas, they were closed (don't know how I didn't see that on their website) so we were in wine country with no plan at all. BUT, this is how my wife and I have found some of the best food in our travels. So, off I went winding through the back roads and enjoying the lovely scenery. We found a place to pull over and become oriented and, one quick check of Yelp later, my wife mentions Buster's. BBQ is NEVER a bad idea if done right (I am from Texas so biased) so I thought that may be a good option since we were only a couple of miles away. She read a couple of reviews and I couldn't get there quick enough as this fit our IDEAL location. 1. Hole in the wall? Yep, a shack is more like it 2. Open pit bbq with a pit master present? Yep, right off the main road and a huge grin on his face 3. All sorts of meat and side selections? Yep and yep 4. Reasonably priced? That is an understatement - VERY affordable I had the pulled pork and hot link with the spicy bbq sauce (yes, I was sure I wanted spicy and no it did not disappoint - don't get spicy unless you REALLY like spicy). I had sides of potato salad and bbq beans......WHAT AN AWESOME MEAL!!!! Tender, flavorful, so perfectly on point. I am always disappointed in the lack of links on the west coast but this link was so juicy and you could see the smoke ring. My wife had the tri-tip and pork ribs - the tri-tip was perfectly cooked, so tender and was one of the best we have ever had. She said the ribs were just as good. So, I went from a zero for the closed restaurant to a hero for the beautiful wine valley tour complete with bbq from the "shack".
(5)L.B. M.
Ribs here are definitely the highlight of the place.They're also good with their baked beans and coleslaw. They're always super busy, but they still make the food quickly enough. Soda here is good.
(4)Eric C.
Food was ok and the sandwiches were very bread heavy. IMHO not true southern style BBQ for my tastes. Sauce is different and not your typical Carolina style sauce or Kentucky sweet which is more traditional. Almost overpriced for the quality. Also the chili dogs had no chili, only pinto beans which they call chili. Would avoid the chili dog if you want chili.
(3)Scott S.
I was forced to come to this place while while on a limo wine tasting tour on a friends birthday. At first I was skeptical. I mean who in their right mind would open a southern bbq place in Napa? Well excuse me as I remove my head from my ass. This place is absolutely amazing! This may be.... no wait it is my new favorite place to get quality bbq. Now it is possible that the 7 or 8 glasses of wine I had prior to coming here influenced my opinion, but the tri-tip sandwich I had was quite possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever had period. The meat was so tender if I had no teeth I would have had no problem. Now since they have a warning sign about their HOT sauce I had their regular bbq sauce and was not disappointed. The sauce was perfect. I would swim in it if I could. The potato salad was ok., but not perfect. But I would recommend the corn bread. Omg.... it was great. Thank you guys the food was outstanding.
(5)Mike A.
I recommend the Tri tip. It is really good here. The ribs are full of fat and not enough meat. Chili beans lacked meat. It just taste like regular beans. But the pork beans were on point.
(4)K J.
Love this place. Love the trip tip sandwich with extra hot sauce and the macaroni salad!
(5)Rachel H.
My friends and I came here before going to a winery because we got hungry after driving from San Francisco. It's a very casual place, and the meat on the BBQ pit looked so good! I wasn't too hungry, so I just got a hotdog. But it wasn't an ordinary hotdog! It was more like a wurst, which made this BBQ place seem so legit! And the bun was great! It was perfectly toasted and nice and buttery and garlicky inside! BTW, you order at the window, which is in a separate building behind the dining area.
(4)Janet S.
Great hole in the wall bbq stand. Wanted something substantial to fill our bellies before we went wine tasting. Had the pulled pork which was so tender. Hubby had the hot link sandwich, in which they put two links. Just the right amount of heat. I heeded their warning about the hotness of their sauce and ordered it on the side. The hubby, who has a high tolerance for heat, said it was hot, so I didnt even try. Reasonably priced, it will satisfy your craving for bbq.
(3)Brendan P.
This was our second trip here. On the first time is when I discovered California try tip and fell in love. Since that time I have made it several times at home and feel that I have perfected it. I was very happy to return to the site of my first tri tip. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Maybe it's because I have gotten so good at making it but the second time around was just not as good. In fact I showed up around 6 o'clock and they tried to serve me a very overdone piece of meat. We were purchasing the half tri tip for $26 so I felt this was unacceptable and asked for a more rare cut. Of course they did not have it but asked me to come back 45 minutes later. Because I was so desperate to have it I did this. It was indeed more rare but was still not as tender or delicious as I remember it being as I make it at home. In summary if you are unfamiliar with the California tri tip I would recommend going and trying it for yourself. But if you are in aficionado I think he will be disappointed
(3)Allan A.
One of the best BBQ place ive been in norcal my favorite are tri tip and bbq beef ribs that fall from the bone top it with half hot and half mild of their home made bbq sauce.
(5)Tara M.
We had the trip tip sandwich which was very good. they have HOT and mild sauces. The HOT is EXTREMELY HOT. My husband ended up getting the 50/50 sauce, half hot and half mild. It was very good! The side dishes i could have done without. I had the chili which i didn't care for and my husband had the baked beans which were good. Staff was very nice and quick, however they always have a line! definitely a nice little lunch spot.
(4)Candy G.
If you love BBQ, you must visit Buster's while in Napa. The tri-trip with the spicy sauce and baked beans is a winning combination. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)Mo G.
Buster's is a casual joint right on Highway 29 as you enter Calistoga. You'll see the smoke rising from the huge grill outside. It claims to be Southern, and the sauce is definitely tangy and sweet (that's the mild sauce), but they have California Tri-Tip instead of the usual southern brisket. A bit of a western twist, if you ask me. I tried the pulled pork sandwich and baked beans. The pork was succulent and delicious and the sauce was a perfect complement. The beans were tender. The sandwich weighed about 3 pounds and when I finished, I immediately wanted another one. Service is counter-style, but friendly and fast. There are indoor and outdoor tables and a counter to sit at. You'll need a lot of napkins - thankfully, they have industrial sized dispensers. There's a great beer and wine selection, but since I went at 11 AM, I did not partake. I think I'm going back tomorrow. How do I hide this habit from my wife???
(4)Cristina Z.
Brisket is so tender and the ribs are to die for! That sauce is what makes it! There is a line so prepare to have someone sit at a table for you. Very casual, clean. Good service. You can smell the BBQ from miles away! Definitely worth the drive. Lucille's got competition!
(5)Juan V.
Omg.. Amazing. It's a must stop location. Pulled pork and chili is to die for...
(5)Meg N.
So this is one of those places you either have to be on a mission to get to or happen to be in the area and make plans for lunch. If you get a chance though I would make this the lunch choice. Absolutely mouth watering is a great way to describe it. This is comfort BBQ at its best. Huge portions so if you don't eat a ton like me you will either have left overs or choose the route I went and share dishes with the group. We went for the ribs and the pulled pork sandwhich, you can do a la carte or get the meal so that also helps with how long you want your food coma to be. Their macaroni salad side is actually quite light on the mayo so I found it delicious. They have a variety of suaces ranging from mild to spicy. I am the first one to go for spicy but their hot sauce would put me on my arse. Ask to try before you smother your food in it because it has a huge kick! The meat on the ribs basically slid off the bone if you tapped it on the table and the huge chunks of pulled pork were thankfully gristle free. I have to give props to the bread as well that was used for the pulled pork because it stood up to the mounds of meat and sauce without getting soggy but was suprisingly soft. I love how they have a huge outdoor washbin too so the unavoidable mess you make eating this is easly washed off. I also highly suggest going for the housemade lemonade. It is the perfect combo of lemony and sweet without leaving you feeling like you've been eating sugar. Vey refreshing!
(4)Alice C.
I didn't realize there are hole-in-the-wall places near Calistoga, which offer good food at good value. We stumbled into here after a wine tasting trip, and hearty BBQ is great after getting a bit too happy on wine. You order at a window of the kitchen, and eat at a separate hut which is a makeshift dining room. The dining room is not air-conditioned, of course, but it works. I got the tri-tip plate with baked beans and potato salad. They have 2 types of BBQ sauce -- regular (mostly sweet) and spicy. They are really strict on no refunds if the spicy sauce is too spicy, but it's also impossible to get them to put some sauce in a little cup to try, so there's no way to know if the sauce is too spicy or not. Definitely feeling the sauce-nazi vibe there. However! The tri-tip was amazing. It was juicy, tender, and flavourful. I really like the baked beans as well -- it was on the sweet side, just the way I like it. I'm not too keen on the big slab of garlic bread though -- it was not toasted through and I couldn't taste the garlic in the garlic butter. Overall it's a nice place to stop by in Napa Valley, especially for those who wants yummy food on a tighter budget.
(4)Chang Soo K.
I tried here because of many reviews of yelp. I had two combo which are tri tip(5 slices), baby back rib (3 pcs), beer, and soda. It cost me $28. It was extremely expensive for quality and it's taste. I would not write further because I do not feel like it.
(2)Joshua W.
Haven't had the pleasure of trying the BBQ here yet, but I was recently given a jar of Buster's hot BBQ sauce and I've got to say I was blown away. I'm a 7th generation Texan who takes his BBQ seriously, and the sauce from this place stands up to any I've had. Simply outstanding with the perfect amount of heat to balance out the sweet.
(5)Jo W.
Hours of drinking led to hunger so afterwards we headed to Buster's Southern BBQ for some well, BBQ. We got the works; ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, mac and cheese, coleslaw and cornbread. The corn was moist and very good but way too sweet and the food as a whole was pretty cold.
(3)Justin C.
Food seems inconsistent, with sometimes delicious, sometimes not so great meat. Their sauce is the only thing going for them, so buy the hot sauce! But keep in mind when they say hot, they mean burn-your-lips-off hot! Prices also seem to have risen in the past few years. They have good baked beans, cold slaw with pineapple I think, and pasta salad is ok. Get the tri-tip sandwich or dinner if you must eat there, and ask for half and half hot/mild. -1 star for price -1star for inconsistent cooked meat
(3)Darcy R.
We made the drive to Calistoga to try this place for lunch. We ordered the tri-tip and pulled pork sandwiches. The bread was smothered in butter and too soggy to eat. The meat was good, but not sure about the sauce? We chose the baked beans for the side dishes and they were super sweet! Cornbread was an extra $2 Overall the food was fine, but probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Tara S.
If you've ever had real BBQ this isn't it. It might be California good, but it ranks among any other raodside west coast BBQ in quality, but with wine country prices. I showed up at 6PM on a Friday and it was dumping rain so it wasn't crowded. Dark chicken was dry and seemed like it had been sitting out for hours. pulled pork was boiled in a gray liquid (my biggest BBQ peve), tri tip was tough and fatty and spare ribs were dry and over cooked. Sauce was decent but honestly my spouce and I had to try both hot and regular to find out which was which. Hot had a little back of the mouth Cayenne heat but not HOT!! by any means. Rub was mostly salt and wasn't noteworthy. I'm pickey about BBQ so maybe don't read too much into this review, but don't expect to be wowed. The sandwiches are a good value, but if you're buying meat samplers or by the pound you'll pay close to the same prices as the bistro fare downtown.
(3)jeff e.
We happened upon this incredible bbq place after visiting Napa and Calistoga. My wife and I split the 3 item combo. We got the pulled pork, pork ribs and chicken. We ordered the mild sauce. So good! Everything was so tender and flavorful. We didn't need the bbq sauce, but we used it anyways for added spice. Potato salad and baked beans rounded out our meal. We ended up buying 2 jars of sauce to take home. Spicy for me and mild for my wife. This place rocks!
(5)PuNkrAwKpUrL g.
The Tri tip was amazing! Super tender meat, very little fat, and really great flavorful sauce. I was so tempted to try the Hot, but felt like using my taste buds later in the day! (when I see a sign saying "The Hot sauce is VERY HOT, no refunds!"... I tend to believe it.). a BBQ joint should have amazing meat. And Buster's sure does! But lets chat about the sides.... Potato Salad: it was creamy and delicious. Not sugary, no icky black olives or weird veggies added. Just potatoes and a heaping dose of yummm! Baked Beans: I'm not a huge baked beans junky, but based on the reviews I decided to give em a go. OMG.... These beans were so good that we were fighting over them & I wanted to take a pint home! Cole Slaw: I typically shudder at the mere mention of it. But the dude loves it & it's a BBQ staple for him. I tried it & it was super yummy. Bright crisp flavors and textures... no soggy limp cabbage here. Also... a hint of pineapple juice methinks. The beers were ice cold and the patio was shady with the aroma of BBQ wafting all around! Who needs wine in Wine Country?! I'll be back for Buster's BBQ!
(4)Michella T.
Surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting much being where it's at, but I was wrong. It was fantastic tasting. The sausage and ribs were outstanding. Nice and spicy if you so choose. Not much of a place, but it's BBQ. Kinda pricey to me, but right in line with most things in this area. Definitely go and enjoy some good BBQ
(4)Karen N.
We were here for an extended weekend getaway and had Buster's twice. Buster's is a nice alternative from all the fancy schmancy restaurants around here. As we just can't do fine dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we decided to give it a try based on the reviews. Our first visit was around 4pm on a Friday evening. There were only a few locals there at that time. We ordered the three combo: tri tip, pulled pork, and chicken with cole slaw and baked beans as sides. The tri tip and pulled pork were great, but the chicken was dry and hard as rock. Perhaps they had grilled the chicken during the lunch rush and it was just sitting in the kitchen for a couple of hours... so one star less for that... The baked beans was the bomb! So creamy and "buttery" and delicious! We went back 2 days later and got the three combo again, this time replacing the chicken with pork ribs. The ribs were nice and juicy, and we got an extra side of baked beans!! Buster's definitely serves authentic southern BBQ, and is a must-try place if you are visiting Napa Valley.
(4)Ryan D.
Tri-tip sandwich...Everything else is great, but I come for the Tri-Tip...mild sauce...if Ya get the hot, well...you'll find out...staff is friendly, usually run in to Buster himself...place is clean and more than likely playing some light jazz...easy motorcycle parking...a great stop before heading out or heading home!
(5)Randy R.
Smells nice. That is when I decided to try the BBQ. The line was long so I really thought this was the place to be. I got the combination plate to go. Tri-Tip with pork ribs. Very disappointed with the Tri-tip. The Tri-Tip had too much fat around the edges. We didn't get a knife in our container so I had to take a bite of the Tri-Tip to bite it off. Ribs were OK. My wife didn't even finish hers because it was hard to get the meat off. Little plastic cup of BBQ sauce, not enough to make a good BBQ. You could pay $1.75 for an extra cup. Not impressed with the coleslaw or potato salad, also in just a small plastic cup. $20.00 plus tax for a so so meal. Glad others enjoyed. My last time there.
(2)David B.
Quirky roadside BBQ favored by bikers. The tri-tip and ribs were good, but the baked beans, cole slaw, and cornbread were all surprisingly delicious (small portions though). Walk up window ordering and small, indoor table setting worked well enough. Certainly not high end. The BBQ sauce was too much vinegar for my taste (I prefer North Carolina style sweet) and all the warnings scared me away from the hot and spicy. I would go again just to try the pulled pork. They were still cooking it in the parking lot on our visit. NOTE. Do not order the iced tea. I expected more than a flat, metallic taste but probably should not have been surprised when it was poured out of an ancient plastic pitcher.
(4)J. Randy G.
Stumbled upon this place as we were turning around. For a roadside, this was pretty decent. Warm sunny day, line was a about 6 people deep. A nice surprise to find the dining area to be air conditioned. Food ~ had the Tri-tip sandwich with coleslaw and a side of cornbread. The meat was tasty and not too fatty. I like hot or spicy food and found the sauce to be flavorful with a bit of a kick. I went with about 50/50 Mild/Hot combo.
(4)Aine F.
NOT the best barbecue I have tasted. The barbecues are not hot off the grill, just lukewarm. We ordered the 2 meat combo - tri tip and pork ribs: 3pcs of dry & chewy Tri tip, and 2pcs of pork ribs. The pork ribs I was able to eat since it's passable, but not tasty at all. The tri tip... Naaaahh! ... The coleslaw side dish is actually good. But side dishes are very small, placed in a litte sauce cup. Maybe the reason why i gave this joint an extra star - due to coleslaw. Totally NOT worth it for $20 worth of lunch/meal. We could have gone somewhere else better if not for the 4 star reviews. Will NEVER come back here at all....
(2)SARA E.
Clint is such a polite gentleman. Made my experience @ busters, will come back!
(5)Linda M.
Finger lickin' good. For casual picnic table fare in this area...I'll take Buster's over Taylors Refresher any day. Their tri-tip sandwiches are very yummy. I got the "mild" sauce and it was amazing with a nice zing of spicy that wasn't overpowering. My macaroni salad side was good...not real heavy on the mayo, which I like. Washed down with a Sierra Nevada. And they've got hotdogs for the kiddies. Plus milkshakes and ice cream cones. I can't believe I've driven by this place hundreds of times and never really taken much notice. Thank you yelpers for showing me the way to a little slice of BBQ heaven. I will be back...again...and again.
(5)John S.
Yahoo, hot BBQ sauce that can hold it's own! As others have said, really good tri-tip sandwich, and the hot BBQ sauce was actually hot. Nose-wateringly hot! Perfect! It's a must stop, but if you're not big into hot sauce, go for the mild. For me, the hot was just right...
(5)Kira R.
Any sandwich that requires a minimum of four napkins to finish means serious business! My second time here and I found myself smiling at the "People Love Us on Yelp" sticker on the window, holding my steaming hot pork loin sandwich drenched in BBQ sauce and thinking, "I gotta post something when I get home!" I just visited Buster's on a freakin freezin day that totally screamed for a hot meal instead of my lonely cold chicken sandwich in the car. Sitting under a heat lamp with my face warm and my stomach happy was the best thing ever! My only regret -- I should have ordered the Hot BBQ sauce so my mouth would be on fire too! (Good tip: You can order half mild/half hot if you're not sure you can handle the nuclear heat!) Yea, you could opt for fancy white tablecloth dining as there is plenty of that in Calistoga, but this is one place that rocks when you want a down home meal: three bean salad, baked beans, homemade buttery corn bread, potato salad, tender pork loin, it couldn't get better! Grab yourself a wad of napkins (trust me, you'll need it!) and pull up a picnic bench. I love the simplicity of Buster's. It has the ambiance of a random roadside bit of heaven that you, and only you, just happened to stumble upon along the road to wine country.
(5)K. D.
Meat quality good, Tri-Tip was tender, side dishes good, hot links meaty and not fatty. Mild sauce had good fire without being overwhelming. Service was fast and efficient. Walk up to order, no table service, but side room to sit and eat. Corn bread was extra and not as delicious as other yelp reviews claimed.
(4)maranda w.
Buster's is GREAT BBQ! My personal notes on a fine establishment: THE GOOD 1. The tri-tip sandwich is the one YOU WANT. This should be the first thing you try there. The bread smothered in Garlic Butter is enough to make me weak in the knees thinking about it! 2. the sides are reasonable portions. I know that's not what every guy wants to hear-- but i really appreciate them! They're around 4oz-- just the right size to try the beans, the potato salad, etc... without feeling terrible about it. 3. Plenty of seating inside--which is a little bare bones, self serve style-- which is fine by me! You can also sit outside easily, and there is even a hitching post for your dog! A bowl of water is there as well. They also have a little side-seating area that might be good for louder groups of families. 4. the prices are SUPER reasonable for BBQ. I think any bay area dweller would agree, BBQ is expensive... Buster's prices are awesome. A big dinner for 2 is around $20. 5. Finally, TRY THE LEMONADE. amazing! THE BAD 1. the smallest bathroom i have EVER seen. I'm not kidding. I could barely close the door. I was probably a little obscene. 2. Its right off the main drag in Calistoga so I feel a little 'tourist trapped'... but the food is so good there I am most definitely going back.
(4)Jeremy L.
Southern BBQ...not even close... The lady taking our order was super rude and really treated everyone in line like a second class citizen. I live in the Napa Valley and will tell everyone I know not to go to this place because of this rude old hag....whiskey tango to say the least. Memo- If you work at a BBQ place don't think you are better than everyone...just shut your mouth and refill my ice tea...oh' yeah, that will be an extra $.50 a cup. RIP OFF....GO TO GOTT"S and don't waste your time.
(1)Heidi C.
Their BBQ sauce is BOMB. I only tried MILD. I think I will try the HOT next time but since it was 100+degrees out this past wknd, I didn't need to sweat anymore. Just to get it out of the way, I'm taking off 1 star for the amount of flies that were hover over and around us as we sat and ate our delicious tri-tip. GRR In any case, I opted for just straight up meat: half tri-tip for $11ish I believe. The sandwich ($7-8) looked good but since the garlic bread was brushed a few times with glistening butter, I passed immediately. I was also able to try the pork loin which was a bit on the dry side but nonetheless good. Their mac salad is delicious too and has a hint of chili spice -- oo wee! Their hot links were spicyyyyyyyyyyyy. I had about an inch of it and I wanted to die. Buster's is now definitely my go-to place in Napa Valley to get some food in between winery hopping. I love tri-tip!!
(4)Randy V.
OMG. The best BBQ I have ever tasted. Would be 5 stars but dining area is a little "rustic". Don't let that stop you from trying, absolutely delicious. Try the Tri Tip sand.
(4)Craig S.
A friend at work told me about this place and I couldn't wait to check it out. It surpassed my expectations. I was going to order the ribs, but then I saw the tri'tip sandwich...o'boy was this baby good. Tons of meat, fresh bread, BBQ sauce flowing, baked beans...hold on...I need a moment. My wife had the hot link sandwich and said it was great. It had 5 large chunks of hot link and was smothered in BBQ sauce. Needless to say I loved it. We brought our kids as well and there was a ton of outside seating. Cant wait to go back. One Tip: Be Aware of the "HOT" BBQ Sauce. I love hot stuff, but this was beyond hot. You don't want to ruin your experience by thinking you can handle the heat. My advice, get the hot BBQ sauce on the side and add as much as you like.
(5)Angie Q.
We visited this BBQ joint after a sparking wine tasting. Grabbing a bite here is super easy and quick, we ordered ribs, tri tip sandwich, and potato salad. The meat was tender and juicy, the sauces were tasty. Definitely a place worth visiting. Seems like a lot of locals frequent this place.
(3)Tasha V.
Love this place. A regular stop on the way from the lake back to the Bay Area. YUMMMMM. Like it all, especially the trip tip sandwich with extra dippin sauce! OMG, late night craving!
(5)Susan G.
What a disappointment! We had been looking forward to visiting Buster's for some fantastic BBQ. The portion sizes are large and filling. That is probably the best I can say. I really wanted to ask the woman behind the counter if "Buster" was still cooking because I find it hard to believe someone with any BBQ experience made the food we ate. Really, the BBQ Beans were like VanKamps with a little brown sugar tossed in. The Hot BBQ Sauce was indeed HOT. However not flavorful. The meat did not taste smokey. I did feel the BBQ on the way out, it was warm, but probably not from cooking. I've had much better from my own backyard BBQ.
(1)Deserei P.
Tri tip sammie is a must :) with mild sauce. I get the hot sauce on the side so I can control it but my hubs goes all out and just slathers it all over his meat ;) As much as I like the sandwich, I dislike the sides and never order them.
(3)Cynthia B.
Good BBQ but not the best I've ever had. The service was fast and very pleasant. The sandwich roll was fresh but the sides served in little plastic containers left much to be desired. I'll probably skip it next time I'm in the area.
(3)Rebeca R.
This place is just what we needed after a day of wine tasting and driving around. The meat was cooked just perfectly, the spicy sauce was HOT (thank you!), and the crowd was fun to watch. I do not give them 5 stars because of the "cafeteria" environment where you order and pay first and have to go back in line to get an extra beer, but do not be misled, this place is great!
(4)Kaliko L.
Tri-tip sandwich is amazing!!! This place is so bomb!! Yummmm.. If you've never tried it, you will not be disappointed!!
(5)Rachelle V.
We stayed in Calistoga with the kids when we decided to make my husband's business trip into a little family vacation. There are not many options of family friendly places to eat so we were excited when we saw Busters and the good reviews. However this place left us very disappointed. We thought they use way too much cayenne pepper in their sauces both mild and spicy. We love spicy, but a ton of cayenne pepper just leaves a long last taste in your mouth and is just gross. They even put it in their macaroni salad, enough that the salad is almost red. The pork ribs were cooked decent. The beef ribs left a lot to be desired. The chicken was okay. The coleslaw was sweet and OK. If you are like us and find yourself with your family in the land of fancy restaurants then I guess it is an okay option but otherwise there is just too much good food just down the street to waste a meal here
(2)Loc N.
BBQ was decent, not especially memorable. The pork was tender, but overly sweet especially when paired with the pineapple coleslaw. The tri-tip -and the woman "manager?" working the counter- had a crusty exterior, but sinewy and grisly inside.
(1)Gabrielle J.
Words cannot describe the greatness that is Busters. Deeelish BBQ greatness. Whether your carcass choice is chicken, ribs, pork, or hotdog, all are bbqd to moist perfection and slathered in your choice of "mild" or hot BBQ sauce. The reason I call it "mild" is that even this mild sauce will leave your lips burning for hours and you better not scratch your eye or anything for the next day for fear of spicy residue gettin in there. As I have an unaturally high tolerance for spicy food, I get 1/2 1/2 "mild"/hot and it's worth every bit of heartburn discomfort you may experience for the rest of the day. I have been coming to busters practically my whole life and the consistent greatness is worth another star in itself. 8 bucks gets you a paper plate loaded with a 2 giant slabs of garlic bread, filled with your choice of meat, topped with some fire, and a side of your choice.
(5)Calvin N.
We'll definitely be back. The meat is great, the hot sauce is actually HOT... actually it's REALLY HOT. The portions and prices are right. The flavors were better than anything we've had in the city. It just tasted fresher. I also had a chance to meet Buster in the morning when he was manning some tri-tip over his wood grill. Very friendly guy with a love for Northern California.
(4)Tim C.
Everything here is good. The sauce is excellent and very HOT!!! I usually order the Hot Link sandwich and am never disappointed. The only thing I didn't care for is the cashier seems to always be in a bad mood. I understand that this place is very busy but come on. I have been here a dozen times at least so i won't let that sway me at all. Beans and potato salad are solid. The last time I went I tried the Sweet Potato pie and will be definitely be ordering that again.
(4)Paul M.
Damn good BBQ, I don't know if I'd call it the best in California, but It's got to be one of the Best in Wine Country. You can catch the smell as soon as you get 1/8 miles from the place, draws me right in. Tri Tip is what I get everytime I go there, which is about once a year or so. The Hot sauce is great. Nice place to stop in after a nice ride. Get's pretty packed on the weekends. I hear the Pork is fantastic, but I'm stuck on Beef for now.
(5)Rachael S.
We had just left a winery and were heading out for home. We were a bit hungry and smelled this amazing aroma of bbq. This was my first visit. The parking is easy, we didn't have any trouble parking. You order at the window and pay. Then you wait for them to set your plate up. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with half-half sauce because the guy in front of me did - it was awesome! The baked beans are the creamiest and sweetest beans ever. Once you pick up your food you can go into the seating area where it's super casual and you sit on picnic benches. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area, the bbq was to die for!
(5)Bill B.
Just like the stars say, it is as good as it gets. I am 59 years old. I have lived in the South for several years. I have had bar-b-que in a lot of places. This place has the best ribs I have ever eaten. Even at the first bite, I knew they were the best I'd ever had. After the first one, I tried one with the sauce. The sauce was excellent wtih a strong dose of chili flavor. I don't know why so many people were getting sandwiches and pulled pork and stuff like that. The pork ribs were excellent. I would not even waste my time getting anything else there because they ribs are so good I want to save every bit of my appetite for them!
(5)Maricela G.
I happened to discover this place while looking for a place to eat lunch. The bbq smoke, smell and the people waiting in line made me curious to try out this place. You can see the workers slicing up the meats and serving customer's plates while in line. I chose the tri-tip sandwich with the baked beans and freshly made lemonade. As soon as I bit into my sandwich- I was in heaven. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender- its one of those moments when you can't stop eating because the food is so good. The bread was warm, mild bbq sauce- delicious, baked beans a little sweet, but good. The lemonade too sweet. I also ordered the sweet potato pie- the edges were burnt, besides that it was a delicious treat. I live in the bay area and can't wait to come back for another trip tip sandwich- it was the best. The employees and the owner were very nice and friendly. I can only speak of what I tried- and I loved it. Positives: Clean tables. Friendly Employees and Owner. Perfectly cooked tri-tip, on soft bread and delicious mild bbq sauce perfectly cooked and tasty baked beans delicious sweet potato pie- Negatives: 1 1/2 hr away from Bay Area very sweet lemonade burnt edges of the sweet potato pie
(5)Mgh S.
Delicious I loved the beans and I don't even like beans! The ribs were pretty good too the prices are fair and there is enough seating!
(5)Logan E.
Got the chicken sandwich and macaroni side. The price is expected for being this far up valley. Sandwich was great, didn't put it down (mostly because there was so much good sauce oozing out of it though lol. My only concern was the macaroni. Can't finish it, I literally feel like I'm eating from a jar of mayonnaise. That's all I taste. Will try the beans next time.
(4)Kim D.
So after some wine tasting at Castillo de Amorosa we went here to eat lunch. There was a little line forming but it went by pretty fast. They have your BBQ standards. I went for the mild sauce since everyone claims the spicy one is super spicy....in actuality the mild was kind of bland to me in terms of spice and my coworker that got the hot said it wasn't that hot. I guess depends on who you ask but I can handle heat so I should've done spicy. I got the pulled pork which was tender and very filling but my coworker's tri tips were the ones to get. It looked more satisfying but overall all of us were full even with our tiny side we had. It was so big and messy to eat with a fork and knife which was a first for me but easier to attack this massive thing. I liked everything for what I got with price and all. I'm not sure if I got more food than that I would've finished it. And price in comparison to other places in wine country wasn't so bad.
(4)Denny B.
Pulled pork sandwich was really good. Tri tip and sausage plate was really tasty with the extra hot sauce. A must stop along Hwy 29.
(3)Caroline T.
I've never in my life had BBQ this delicious. Everything is perfection! The sauce, the ribs, the potato salad and the baked beans! To die for. Even the bread was seasoned and cooked perfectly! I don't know how he does it! My only problem is that I live 3 and 1/2 hours away! I cannot wait to get me some more on my next visit!!!
(5)Michaela V.
Ordered the pulled pork and tri-tip sandwiches. Both we so good! The meat was excellent quality and cooked expertly. A good rub would not hurt them at all to pull together the meat and sauce, but still yum! The sides we ordered was where the stars start to come off. Macaroni and potato salad tasted the same, very blah. A little salt, pepper and garlic would have really helped. Beans are beans, pretty hard to ruin them. Corn bread was fine but a little stale. Another star off because for what we got, the price was a little high. Overall, not a bad place. Probably won't go back though.
(3)Nadia N K.
Best BBQ & what a hidden Gem!
(5)Shane F.
Not the best BBQ in the world, but nice to see in Napa and Northern California. We'll keep coming back for a satisfying pile of tasty affordable food.
(3)Sharon C.
Delicious, tender juicy tri-tip sandwich, smothered in the best BBQ sauce ever,. Damn! Finger licking goodness! Coleslaw was nice, crunchy yummy! Good selection sides, beans are the bomb!! Nice selection of beer. Big rolls of paper towels, to wipe what you don't lick off your fingers! Yes Finger Lickin' goodness!!!!!
(5)David R.
Been to Buster's a few times before, and it was an OK experience. This time, we ordered a full rack of ribs, and a tri tip dinner. The side of cole slaw was even more sweet than the last time, as were the baked beans. Too much sugar in both, for our tastes. Then the ribs - fatty, over cooked, and too salty. The tri tip was very dry also. Price for these two items was around $42.00, a bit much for salty, dry meat. We tried both sides of bbq sauce, and again, they were way to salty. I've never had a sauce taste of salt before. Time to move on for us....
(1)Philip M.
I am so disappointed in my fellow yelpers....This is not a 4 star BBQ joint!!! The food was cold. The ribs were below average (beef and pork). The service was anything but exceptional.... And I waited 30 minutes for this. I am too kind to only give one star...
(2)Natalia H.
Love BBQ. No frills just straight up delicious bbq! We shared the tri tip, ribs, and pulled pork combo. It came with buttery bread and a couple of sides- the baked beans were delicious! Not canned beans either...actual marinated cooked beans! A lot of food. But a lot of GOOD food! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
(4)Gus H.
Great spot for a casual meal. Perfectly good bread & sides but the meat is the star, juicy, plentiful and cooked right. They'll warn you about their hot sauce and they're right --it's actually hot, and also nearly addictive.
(4)Ginny K.
Magically delicious! The Tri-tip Sandwich dinner with mild sauce is hot, my husband gets mixed hot & mild. The BBQ sauce is fantastic, the garlic bread used for the sandwiches is great by it self as well. Wow and the cornbread muffins and frozen lemonade is great too! The sandwiches are expensive but you get a lot of food and quality. There is one Hispanic guy who works there that is a jerk and should be fired for negatively commenting when I ordered 6 pieces of corned bread 9 (one for each kid that I had standing next to me), he was acting like I was the fattest person in the world and I was going to eat it all. Several other times I have visited this restaurant and he was there he has been rude and disrespectful as well. However I am rating 5 stars still because he is just one employee that most likely won't be employed there for very long. The rest of the staff is awesome and friendly and give you lots of food, so much I split in half and eat half for lunch and the other for dinner.
(5)Ryan C.
For BBQ busters gets a 5 stars rating. Be warned! When buster tells you that you need the mild sauce, don't be offended just take the mild sauce. I told buster I could take hot and my tongue was on fire all weekend. The combos are great and prices are reasonable for good BBQ. It can't get better than this especially when you are kicking it in one of the best places on earth.
(5)Crystal R.
We decided to take a Saturday morning drive through wine country and like fat kids... we got hungry. But being cheapies and having our puppy with us, we were somewhat limited to where we could eat that wouldn't be overly crowded or insanely fancy, but we happened to stumble upon Busters. We actually passed Busters and said "what's that smell?" then flipped a B and drove straight into their parking lot. It's a great little restaurant that sits right on 29 perpendicular to the downtown area of Calistoga. The best part about Busters, to us, would be the outside seating. There's a lot of it and when you have dog with you, it makes everything so much easier. The food was great and it was served quick. We got the BBQ Chicken and Tri-tip. LARGE portions. Seriously large. The baked beans were fantastic, the garlic bread was great and like everyone has been saying... amazing cornbread. I remember reading about someone's review on the cornbread being soggy because there was too much butter on it.... What? Too much butter? I've never had to say there was too much butter on anything in my entire life. How can you have too much butter on cornbread... *face palm* I digress. This place is great. Come just a little before noon and you'll miss lunch time traffic which on the weekends will definitely consist of hungry people and long lines. We shall be back.
(5)Bri O.
Delicious BBQ stop. Messy, just as good BBQ should be. You can see the meat smoking on the grill outside. Nothing fancy: paper plates, seating is outside on benches or on a small covered patio. Everything was delicious.
(5)Carmen W.
Not so great. The mild sauce I should have gotten on the side because it was full of chili powder and tasted terrible. I have never found a BBQ sauce I've disliked this much. However, my brother got the hot sauce and thought it was okay. The pork without the sauce was good. The cornbread was dry and the people were partially friendly( somewhat rude in line). Not again.
(3)Michael D.
Great Tri-Tip, will go back for sure.
(4)Kris V.
If you love juicy smokey and tastey tri tip, this is a must stop. I try to stop here whenever I am in the area. I have not sampled the whole menu, far from it. The first time I ordered the tri tip sandwich and I can't ever break away from it. Simple perfection. You will have a choice of two sauces and one side. If you like spicy I would suggest you first go with a 50/50 of the mild and hot bbq sauce. The spicy is very very spicy. I really like the coleslaw side. A little sweet for some. I love the chunks of pineapple though. Best bbq in napa and sonoma counties.
(5)Joseph T.
Great BBQ and perfect refueling for the body when on a motorcycle ride. 4/5 because last time I went there it was just, okay.
(4)Suzy S.
I suppose I expected more and received less. I'm a sucker for a good tri-tip sandwich and I was disappointed in Buster's after reading all the hype. I give the food a 2 and an extra star for very friendly service. We both ordered the tri-tip sandwich which we thought was pricey for the size of the serving. The side potato salad serving was minuscule and not very tasty. The side order of beans was better but still just ok. The seating is interesting. You order at a counter and take your food to a separate building next door to eat. There you'll find napkins galore in dispensers located around this big room. I think our experience would've been more positive if we weren't trapped with several screaming children (and parents) in close confines. With so many wonderful spots to dine in this area, we'll skip Buster's and move on.
(3)Stefan P.
Kind of meh - good but felt a bit overpriced. Don't choose the spicy bbq sauce, which was just stupidly hot!
(3)Sasha T.
Ok - so I got this issue with BBQ!! I don't know, blame it on growing up with backyard bbqs, family, dominoes and music!!! So the thing is --- there are these rules. 1) no gas gills! (I mean who invented this contraption??? And why oh why would you like the taste of propane in your food?); 2) no bbq sauce while cooking - if you want it add it later... But seriously, if the Q is kicking %ss and taking names, why suffocate it in sauce?; and 3) slow cook it - cuz burnt Q is not cute!!! Busters has got it down!!!! One day, I hope to meet the master himself, but until then, I'll just keep eating the man's slamming Q. Whodda thunk it... Q in Calistoga???!!! Yep! Check him out! Take it from a glam diva who knows good Q - Finger licking good!!!!
(5)E.j. E.
Tri Tip Dinner is on point!
(4)Anna R.
This is a must for all my wine country trips when I am as far up North as Calistoga. My spontaneous Napa trip yesterday with one of my girlfriends along with an out-of-state friend that is visiting ended up at Buster's after hitting Mumm, ZD Wines, and Frank Family Vineyards. My friend was born and raised in South Carolina and he was willing to give California BBQ a shot since I was raving about this place all day throughout our tastings. Buster's starts smoking their meats early on in the morning and finishes them off in their little shack later. The smell permeating from the place onto Highway 29 is tantalizing and beckons you to pull over and indulge in some slow cooked meats. This time we opted for a rack of the pork ribs (favored by most customers over the beef ribs since they are meatier and fattier, making it a juicier rack overall). Rather than having them lather the rack with either their mild or their HOOOOTTT sauce (yes, it is frickin' hot and they have warning signs all over their order windows to the likes of "hot means hot"), we asked for them to give us both on the side, as I like to mix the two together to create a tolerable heat whereas my friend likes to have his mouth set on fire over and over again with each bite. My girlfriend isn't a big fan of ribs, so she got a tri tip sandwich. We also got some baked beans, potato salad, corn bread, and 2 375ml bottes of 7 deadly zins zinfandel which they conveniently sell. The pork ribs were phenomenal as always and my southern friend was very impressed and devoured his half of the rack very quickly. Buster's BBQ sauces are super flavorful and I love being able to mix the mild and the hot to my liking. The potato salad has a good spice and nice crunch to it, and although the corn bread isn't the best I've ever had, it is very good. My girlfriend loved her tri tip sandwich, and who doesn't love having their sandwich bread basted with melted butter? Yummy! Once again a successful feeding frenzy after working up an appetite at various tasting rooms. Buster's BBQ rocks!
(5)El Z.
I have had lots of BBQ in many different places (mostly in The South), and Buster's was probably the worst BBQ I have ever had. The sauce was lacking in flavor and totally uninspired. I can't believe this place survives and stays in business. I ordered 1/2 chicken. The lady chopped it up and informed me the white meat pieces were a bit undercooked, and she asked me if it was ok to put them in the microwave for a minute or two. What was I going to say, "no, please serve me raw chicken"?? I should have canceled my order at the point, and saved myself the time to write this review. Skip this place and go find some real BBQ.
(1)Anna S.
Yum! Yum! Yum!! This place is amazing! We came here over thanksgiving weekend. My fiancé spotted it on the way to a winery so we decided to come back for lunch. The food was AMAZING. The sauce is perfect for the meat. We got mild and it still had a tiny kick, but just the right amount. The meat, oh my gosh is it good. First of all the servings are very generous. My fiancé shared the 3 item combo and we had left overs. The meat is fall off the bone tender and was so flavorful. The sides were good the beans sooooooo amazing. I'm bummed with the size though.. Really little servings of sides. The corn bread was really a standout. If you get a chance please try it. It's really special. After we finished eating there was a line that wrapped around the parking lot. It's definitely a popular destination.
(5)Kristy B.
True barbecue. Love the tri-tip and chicken - my boyfriend loves the pork. For lunch, the tri-tip sandwich is a never-fail, but beware - the lines get really long during peak lunch hours, but it moves fast. Also, as their sign says, when it comes to the sauce: HOT MEANS HOT! The mild has great flavor and still a little heat, so unless you are looking for burning hot, go with the mild. Your mouth will thank you!
(4)Jessy R.
RUDE MEXICAN that works there. Simple orders were given by me and my friends and he was lashing out at us. When my friend asked him if he was okay he said yes, and just kept on being rude. If the food wasn't so good homeboy would of been hurt. The only reason why I am giving two stars is because the food is great as always, but the Mexican's got to go!
(2)Terri P.
If I could give 6 stars, I would! Not only was our meal delicious (tip sandwich and baked beans) but the staff was so awesome when I accidentally left my purse behind! Carlos was so great and would not accept my $$ to say thanks. Of Course I put it in the tip jar! Great food! Great staff!!
(5)Katherine F.
We wanted a cheap lunch...and as everyone knows that is a tall order in wine country. This spot was so close to our B & B that we gave it a try. Very down-to-earth...picnic tables and a small enclosed area. Order at the window. We shared a Pork Shoulder with mild sauce, potato salad, chili beans and a cornbread muffin. I did no try them, but Hubby said the potato salad was not great, but the beans were pretty good. My opinion was that the meat was great, but I did not like the BBQ sauce, it tasted like tomato sauce and brown sugar... The cornbread muffin was a bit old, and way to sweet for my taste...and I know, many folks like it that way. We might go back for a hot dog, but clearly it is just not our style of BBQ. The price and atmosphere were just right!
(3)Jessica N.
Buster's was pretty solid BBQ. We got the tri-tip sandwich. meat was well cooked and the hot sauce was spicy but not unbearable. The secret is to get it on the side so you can control how much spice you want. The sides were just ok though. Beans ok, mac salad tasty but nothign special. What sucked was at 7:30 or 8p at night they closed the dining room so we had to sit outside. Napa gets chilly at night! Would be a great place to hit up in the middle of the day though.
(3)Fidel M.
Best BBQ in town! Love busters! One star because I got ripped off. Recently I went to go pick up half a tri tip for the family dinner while visiting and the Hispanic lady cut up a 1/4 of tri tip and try to say that was half. I decided to get the full instead since it didn't look enough tri tip. She just took out another piece of tri tip and gave me half of it. So basically I paid for 5/8 of tri tip at the price of a whole. Since I didn't want to argue, next time I'll just tell her to give me a whole piece and I'll cut it up myself. She needs to take a whole piece out next time and cut it in half, right down the middle not use a piece that has been already cut up and assume its half
(1)Christina W.
You NEED to order the tri-tip sandwich with cole slaw. You're welcome. But really, it's so good! The sandwich is on a HUGE roll with each side grilled and covered in butter and garlic. The meat is so tender and it's covered in your choice of BBQ sauce. The cole slaw is amazing too; it has chunks of pineapple in it, which really works well with the cabbage!
(5)Eri K.
I came here with a couple of friends because of a recommendation and thanks to Yelp. I decided to go with the Tri Tip since everyone reviewed it and said it was good. I went with the bandwagon. I ordered the Tri Tip sandwich that came with 1 side dish. I ordered the baked beans. Also ordered the HOT barbecue sauce on the side with corn bread. Everything was delicious!! The tri tip was very tender and the medium sauce that came with it was delicious as well. The HOT sauce is pretty hot (even for my spicy standards!), but I couldn't stop eating it. The corn bread was a tad oily and I felt kind of bummed since they just microwave it to heat it up, but it was just OK. (also..the meat is in between garlic toast, which gets soaked with the sauce) I'd definitely come back here to eat the tri tip again. *cash & credit // sandwich + 1 side only was about $10 *parking lot is very small, eating area also pretty small if it's a busy time
(4)Omar S.
We were in Napa doing a few wine tours and wanted to grab a bite to eat. We drove by this little garage looking building with a separate dining area. I checked the reviews on yelp and noticed they had a 4 star review so we decided to check it out. Boy, I am glad we did. This was by far the best tri-tip I have ever had in my life. Their homemade corn bread was so moist and delicious. I will definitely go back if given the opportunity once more.
(4)Stephanie T.
By all the great reviews, I'm wondering if we caught them on a bad day. When we pulled into parking lot, I commented that there was no BBQ smell but they had customers and that was a good sign - right? We gave it a shot. Two tri tip dinners were ordered. The sides tasted like they came out of a can and the sauce was over-powering and pretty awful. The meat was tough and full of gristle. We ate our meals and vowed to do research next time.
(1)James R.
I am from the South and miss common BBQ joints. Now that I live in California there are limited choices for a budget minded resident of Napa Valley. The food is good. I just wish I could find collard greens and corn bread to eat with it.
(4)Jeremy R.
If ya served it in the south they'd run ya out of town. Mucky pulled pork "stew", dried out chicken, overly sweet cole slaw and baked beans from a can. Surly service and a chilly dining room further detracted from the experience. Head to Gotts or Taylors for a quickie or Farmstead for a fine meal but don't waste you money here.
(2)Brian P.
The best pulled pork sandwich of my life.
(5)Pearl L.
You can smell this place down the street, and when you pass by, there is a giant grill with various meats grilling to perfection. Came here for lunch with some friends and we fell in love. We got the Ribs and the Tri-Tip plates, and it was absolutely delicious! BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT SAUCE. I love their hot sauce, but it is crazy hot and spicy!! If you do get it, make sure to get it on the side (which is what we did). Good sides, good prices, perfectly cooked meat. The only downfall is the swarm of flies, so guard your food! Overall: I definitely recommend this place! Will be back!
(4)Melissa A.
Really good! Everything
(4)Paul D.
Like others have said, this used to be a must stop while in Calistoga. Unfortunately, portions have decreased by more that 1/3 while prices have increased more than 1/3. Additionally, one sign states minimum charge for credit card purchase (which I believe is against card policy). Another sign now requests you "use cash to keep prices down". Makes you wonder how else they keep prices down - doesn't it. Reluctant to give you tap water. Still tasty, but more of a high priced appetizer. PS. Yelp, you should check the price range. It would definitely be at least a $$ now.
(1)Dia Z.
This place is good. The barbeque is pretty legit, but I hate to admit it, I might choose Armadillo Willy's before Buster's. It had good food at a good price, but my husband and I went out of our way to go there on our honeymoon, and I think there are a few other places we'd go out of our way for next time.
(3)Hollis K.
Great biker hangout.....hot link and a couple ribs.....crystal geyser bubble water and a double espresso.......sets me up just perfect. Good honest bbq and watch the hot sauce.....it's really hot.....love this place. Very unlike so much of the overcooked sugary crap that gets passed off as bbq.
(5)Jocelyn L.
I love the West Coast and love almost everything food-wise here....but I'm convinced that I can't find good BBQ on the West Coast. Maybe I've been spoilt by Memphis BBQ (Blues City, Corky's, Commissary)...but seriously, if this is "awesome", then i'll save my stomach space for something else. Summary: Tri-Tip: Pretty good; i definitely prefer this to the Ribs Ribs: eeeeks. the sauce was good, but the meat was WAY too tough. Not at all lik the fall-off-the-bone type typical of Southern BBQ. Maybe it needs to be cooked longer. a LOT longer. I did not enjoy this at all.
(2)Laurence W.
We tried to drive by, but the smell of BBQ was overpowering. Quick u-turn and we pulled into the lot. Wine and cheese sound silly when you can have Buster's BBQ. I tried the chicken sandwich with a side of baked beans and spicy BBQ sauce. The chicken was delicious, as were the beans. I don't recommend the spicy BBQ sauce -- as much as I like spicy food, it completely overwhelms the flavor of the chicken. Be smart and order the mild; be even smarter and ask them to go easy on the sauce since the meat itself has more than enough flavor to stand on its own. Full as I felt afterward, I was tempted to order a second sandwich on the spot. Luckily, my colleagues reigned me in...
(4)John W.
If you want beef ribs go early. I'm two for two on them running out so far but still trying. This time I had the pork ribs and tri-tip combo with a side for beans. Both very good and cooked perfectly. The sauce is top notch... They have a regular and spicy sauce and if your the slightest bit gun shy with "heat" you will beware. Even I have them mixed the two to detone it a bit. ... and when it's poured over the meat and mixes in with the beans. OH YEAH!
(4)Jason P.
Best BBQ in the Napa Valley Area. Great meats and awesome sides. Very reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. We stop by here to eat every time we are in Napa (even though it is all the way up in Calistoga) because it is just that good. Also get the rubs and sauces, they are amazing!!!
(5)Art H.
We went day trippin' to Napa and Sonoma counties. It's dead on winter now, perfect to see Calistoga and St. Helena when it's quiet and the local s rule again. Hint - take the Silverado trail from Napa to Calistoga, rather than the main route. It's much more tranquil and bucolic; with the sun out yesterday it was just great to tool along, listen to jazzy tunes and bliss out. We puttered along and finally got a bit hungry as we got to Calistoga. Ve spotted a few motobikes parked under the sign and announced lunch was on. The grill/smoker looked and smelled great. We ordered the pork ribs dinner plate, which I piled a side of corn bread and chili beans. She got tri tip and topped it with slaw and corn bread. We sidled over to one of the tables under the tent and worked our way through 30 minutes of finger linkin' fun. The sauce is hot but tasty....mmmm. I agree with previous reviewers, the tri-tip can verge on being overly dry, but it's fairly lean and I know it can be difficult to maintain tenderness when it is. The pork ribs were yummers. The slaw was surprisingy sweet and wet, and the corn bread, although a tad small, was tasty. No white bread here, a couple of crusty garlicky toasted rolls were helpful in sopping up the remaining sauce.
(4)Zach L.
Buster's is a must try for any BBQ fans in the Northern California area. Nestled in arguably the most beautiful part of NorCal, Buster's BBQ is a very casual and simple eatery. Sitting just outside of Calistoga proper is this road side "shack." You can smell the smoke from the BBQ from a ways off and it always makes my stomach wonder how much longer it will have to wait. You have your choice of "inside" or outside seating. The inside seating is a simple room put up with a heater in it. Folding tables and chairs are what await you here. But this adds to the charm in my opinion. BBQ isn't supposed to be fancy. It's supposed to taste good and warm your soul. Buster's knows what's important. Skimp on the decor and provide stellar food at a fair price! I've tried several of the menu options and have yet to have an issue with any of their meats. I do wish that the portion sizes of sides were all equal though. If you want baked beans, and these are great by the way, you get a good helping. However, the potato salad and other cold sides come in a tiny (think salad dressing to go cup) portion cup. These sides are all equally tasty, but I just wish you could get a bit more of them. The BBQ sauces are also great here. Be warned though, if you order the spicy BBQ sauce you need to realize that there is actually heat to it! It's so rare to find a BBQ place that has a true spicy sauce. The mild sauce is still full of flavor, so fear not my delicate tongued Yelpers. I typically mix the sauces half hot/half mild for the flavor I get out of it. Coming in on a weekend around lunch you'll find the parking lot almost half full with motorcycles. This is a prime stop for the 2 wheeled crowd for a lunch break and stretching spot during a ride in the twisties. That's actually how I discovered Buster's in the first place. Chowing down on great BBQ with 20 of my close friends in the middle of a long ride. A big thanks as well to the staff here for their great attitudes and for always taking such great care of the motorcycle crowds that flock here on a constant basis. See you soon!
(4)Amanda M.
I love this BBQ! I was taken here by my brothers in law on an outing to the wineries a few weeks ago. This place is so freaking good! When they say hot sauce they mean hot! The tritip sandwich was fresh, juicy and flavorful before adding their homemade hot sauce! That sauce put the sandwich over the top! I got coleslaw on the side and it really hit the spot as a cooling agent! Plus they have beer on tap! I think the only downfall is seating can get cramped but it's worth it!
(5)Jenna L.
3.5 stars, I usually round down, but I thought this place deserved to be rounded up. After visiting a winery and going on a safari (yes, a safari!), we were pretty hungry again, so we were super excited to drive past a legit looking BBQ place. It looked awesome, so we went over and stood in line. There was an open pit with lots of delicious looking tri-tip chunks on top, so it smelled awesome too. There were tons of bikers there, very casual place. Overall, good sandwich and really good baked beans. Decent corn bread too. Super messy, but what do you expect, right? I'm going to be a jerk and say it's not as good as the tri-tip place in the Santa Barbara mountains, but still pretty decent. Awesome to be in the middle of wine country, will probably go back to help soak up all that wine next time :)
(4)Rosemarie d.
A well-deserved 4-star review. YUM! Listened to the reviews and tried the tri-tip sandwich - YUMMMMOOOOO! Also got the baked beans (wouldn't have gotten em if it weren't for the reviews and MAN! I was definitely glad I did). Tip: Get half mild/half spicy sauce... Seriously. I was already sweating. Loved how it mixed with my baked beans (Seriously... I'm salivating right now). Wasn't too big a fan of the chicken (TRIED to be a little healthy). Eff it. Let me help you out... Get the tri-tip sandwich. Half mild/half spicy sauce. Baked beans. Diet coke if you feel bad. :D Skip the corn bread, it's not that great. but still... I'm still salivating.
(4)Natasha P.
Went here on a rainy night on a romantic getaway to Calistoga. Very pleasantly surprised. Meat portions were generous. 1. Hot Links. Really juicy and delish, but second to Kinder's in my opinion. 2. Tri-tip was tender, cooked medium well. Went really really well with the fantastic garlic toast and BBQ sauce (the hot was a bit much for me but was a delight for the boyfriend who loves spicy). 3. The baked beans and the potato salad were good. The macaroni salad was pedestrian. The coleslaw was oddly fruity... and too sweet. 4. The cornbread was fluffy and amazing with a little butter. Gotta try it with honey next time. When I come back to Calistoga, I will definitely come back to Buster's and check out the pork loin.
(4)Sean B.
Wasn't really craving BBQ but the smell was so inviting. Was a cold day so I was shivering pretty bad, but I still took my time to savor the flavors. Very pleasant surprise.
(4)e h.
Went here for lunch with my daughter. I had the tri-tip sandwich with coleslaw. The coleslaw was interesting with the pineapple, not my favorite but okay. The sandwich was huge, which kind of makes up for the bbq sauce, but not really. The cumin flavor in the bbq sauce was overwhelming, it did not taste like bbq sauce at all. I would go back if I wanted a huge pile of meat piled on bread, but not to get my bbq fix.
(2)jay g.
Best BBQ within reach of San Francisco You can not find good fast or slo cook BBQ in the Bay area for love or money. At least I have not found it yet. Whereas on a road trip (Sunday Motorcycle jaunt really), I stumbled upon Busters and I now make at least one pilgrimage per season for a fix and a jar or two of sauce for the winter.
(5)Andrew T.
The Best Tri Tip sandwich I've ever had and I'm 48 soooo I've had a few. Went with the HOT sauce and it killed! I talked to one of my buddies about it a few days after our motorcycle ride and he said it would be worth a trip from Roseville to Calistoga just for the food. I totally agree!
(5)Steve F.
The best BBQ in the entire world!
(5)Mike B.
Best bar b q chicken sandwich around! Gotta go hot!
(5)Joel M.
Great joint, We enjoyed our tri-tip sandwiches and the sauce while not the best I've had it was still very good. We drove up from Napa while on vacation and it was well worth the trip. We would recommend this.
(4)Travis G.
The tri-tip at this place is a good as it gets! Nicely marbled meat with a smoke ring and juicy middle. The flavor is just the right blend of smoke and spice. The tangy house BBQ sauce is also very flavorful. I only had the hot version and it actually had big flavor, not just heat. I imagine the mild would be tasty, but I'll never know cause I always go for the heat. The ribs were a bit tough, but fully cooked and tasted good. I would have to say that the sides were very small and didn't get the same TLC as the tri-tip and ribs. If your a carnivore then you'll do just fine at this place.
(3)Steve H.
They weren't lying when the said the Hot Sauce was Hot! There was love and hate in each bite. Loved the quality, flavor, and juiciness of the meat, but hated how the hot sauce made it almost unbearable to enjoy - even though I got half mild and half hot. Hell was present that day. They don't skimp on the portions either. The tri tip sandwhich was plentiful but the hot link sandwhich was packing on major weight. Made extremely good leftovers as well. Located right off the road this shack had had all the characteristics of a fine bbq establishment. The outdoor grill, comfortable seating, lots of customers, serious sauce, and quality meat. Would definitely take a trip up here from the east bay to savor the flavors. .
(5)Mrs. N.
My husband and I came here on a Tuesday around 1:30 and the place was pretty much empty. The person helping us was a young Thai woman who was schooling us on BBQ. We had the tri-tip sandwich and the pork rib dinner. Both were dry and pretty much meh. The coleslaw was interesting; it had bits of pineapple (maybe some Thai influence?). The Potato salad was mediocre; however, the baked beans were bomb! I was prepared by another reviewer about the swarm of flies in the seating area, but wasn't that prepared. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place. The food is not that good and the facility will require you to wear a beekeeper mask to avoid the larger than normal flies. If you're looking for good BBQ in Napa try Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ.
(2)Hashim B.
Very good. Spicy BBQ is spicy like it should be. Meat is tender. Sides remind me of home cooked. Try it if you're in the area.
(5)Meena N.
I go to school not far from this small restaurant, and I don't know how many times I've frequented this place with my friends. The tri-tip sandwich is always good, and always get the baked beans with it as a side (never the chili beans). The meat is good and sometimes you can actually see Buster working or walking around. Come at a good time, and you'll see the meat actually being cooked outside on their grills. This place is good, and the price is fairly inexpensive considering where it's located. Remember that hot really means hot so even if you love spicy food, start off with half mild-half hot sauce.. eventually you'll get used to the hot sauce by itself.
(5)Susan G.
We stopped here to get something to eat and soak up all of the wine we "tasted" during the morning and afternoon. We both had the tri tip sandwich which was really delicious. Sliced to order ,the meat had a perfect tender texture and smoky taste plus the sauce was just the right amount of sweet vs spice and the bread was brushed with butter and toasted. Really special. I had the baked beans and they were okay - not great, just okay. This four stars is based on what it is - a casual BBQ restaurant and they know their stuff.
(4)Alex B.
Yum! Try the tri-tip sandwich. Quick service when there's no line. Very casual, and not too expensive... compared to the uber-expensive restaurants in Calistoga.
(4)Jesus D.
My food was cold and too salty.
(2)Myles A.
Found this place while on a trip to Napa. Nicer restaurants were too full. Saw (and smelled) the BBQ from down the street & decided to go there. It was a while ago, but I still remember the tri-tip was really good, the hot links were bomb, and the chicken (which I don't prefer BBQ style because it tends to dry out) was actually juicy. The prices were very reasonable and the BBQ was better than almost any place that I can get in SoCal. Definitely recommend this spot if you're out there!
(4)Michael L.
Just left this place.. We each had the rib combo. First the ribs were so tough I gave up on my first rib. But if I had continued all one can say about the sauce is it is totally uninspired. The beans taste canned and the cole slaw tastes as they go down to KFC and buys a bucket of it to serve. Gus and Ilene ate two ribs each and the rest found its way to the trash can. So another 45 bucks down the drain, or in this case in the trash can. Order taker was rather unpleasant as well. So one big YUCKY POOPO...
(1)CP D.
It was one of those days when you wake up and say to yourself, "I need me some BBQ!" And then you search Yelp to find a place you've never tried, jump in the car, and drive 40 minutes out of your way to inhale part of a cow. It's just BBQ. The place isn't that big, the menu isn't extensive. But the tri-tip sando is as good as they say, and I pretty much want to bathe in the baked beans. They are THAT good. The mild sauce has a tang, but my man-friend had the hot... and it's hot, be warned. The seating area is great because it's just a bunch of long wooden tables and conveniently placed paper towels/napkins everywhere (sh*t gets real messy, real fast). This place hit the spot and was totally worth the 40 minute road-trip. But I'm only giving 4 stars because they don't give enough beans (serious).
(4)Ellen K.
Tri-tip sandwiches are awesome. Baked beans are yummy. Stick with the regular hot sauce unless you want to breath fire. Don't bother with anything else on the menu.
(4)Don F.
I came by again to get the tri tip sandwich. I ordered the hot bbq sauce. It was so freaking hot I could hardly let any food touch my tongue & I was sweating like a pig. WoW !!!!!!!!!!! There is a sign next to the cash register stating that HOT is HOT............no shit! Anyway...........some good eats here! A had some ice cream after the sandwich to cool my mouth off. They do have really good ice cream too. NOTE TO SELF: get mild bbq sauce
(4)Romeo And Lola K.
Good tri tip sandwich; messy but generous portion. The meat was a bit more well done than we prefer. Cole slaw was good (definitely on the sweet side). BBQ oysters were delicious! Odd outdoor seating throughout parking lot. Air conditioned seating available but on a nice day it's a shame to have to side inside.
(3)M H.
Get the tri tip steak! fucking awesome!
(5)Zak P.
Sooo I am torn on this place, I normally base my rating upon a combination of food, service, atmosphere and the overall experience. But this time I think I am going to have to give my rating all to the food. Why? Because the service wasn't great, it wasn't even good. Its your standard walk-up window grab a seat yourself and they call you to pick up your food kinda joint. But the lady working at the window was just going on and on about one of the employees just quit because they didn't feel the prices were justified. It was just pretty unprofessional. However.. this has to be some of the best BBQ I have tasted ANYWHERE. The hot link was grilled to perfection. The Trip tip was so juicy and flavorful and the potato salad was one of my favorites. The price was a little high for the amount of food and setting, but it was worth it for the flavor. Busters hit the spot after a week full of upscale dining, it was nice to grab a meal where forks and knives are optional.
(5)Ramona B.
Good place to stop for lunch with a Great tri-tip sandwich! Beware: the hot sauce is REALLY hot. My husband loves hot and spicy foods, and even he asked to get the half and half sauce!
(4)Jennifer N.
This place seems like it should be out in the woods. The corn bread was really good. The bbq sauce was not to my taste and the lady put a grip on the meat. The food wasn't that great besides the corn bread, but I had fun trying to flirt with the cashier to get dessert. too bad it did not work :( LOL The lemonade was to sweet for my taste.
(3)thrasher b.
If you like HOT, get the hot bbq sauce -- like burn-your-face-off hot. It's great if you order the right things. The sides are nothing special. In fact, none of it is. I suggest you just try the HOT bbq sauce and drink a beer to wash it down. That's what I do.
(3)Grant B.
Busy place but they make it work well. Had the pork ribs, great flavor a bit more "stuck to the bone" than I like. We also had the Tri-Tip, which was very good. The cole slaw was excellent. Chili beans were so-so. Blue Moon on tap under $4. You order and then take your plate to the dining room (it was cold outside, otherwise they have outside tables and counter as well). The owner does a great job of yelling at her kid to clean tables when it is crowded.
(4)Mike L.
Five Stars I have been to most of the BBQ places in the Bay Area and like Busters the most. The hot sauce is very hot but that how I like it. The sides are not huge but are very good! The cornbread is a must try also. One of the cheaper places in Calistoga to grab a bite . If you like BBQ make sure you give it a try !
(5)Kevin T.
Located at the first major intersection of Calistoga, Buster's serves as another testament to the amazing food available in the Napa valley. Made famous for their Tri-Tip sandwiches, this venue definitely brings a bit of the South to the heart of Northern California. Upon arriving at Buster's for my first time, the first thing I noticed even before pulling into the parking lot was the intoxicating smell of barbecue. My excitement peaked as we got of the car and were greeted by the sight of a dozen sides of meat slowly cooking to perfection on the outdoor grill. Despite the overcast day, I found myself grinning from ear to ear in eager anticipation of what I had in store. At long last I managed to drag myself away from the bbq pit and finally shimmied up in line behind a group of locals with similar ideas for lunch. I immediately struck up a short conversation with the group of college guys in front of me to help me decide on what to order. The census was unanimuous. Buster's Tri-Tip sandwich with the hot sauce. Confident in the power of numbers, I decided to take their suggestion. The Tri-tip sandwiches are constructed by placing a GENEROUS portion of meat fresh off the grill in onto two thick slabs of hot garlic bread served open-face style and then drenched in a cascade of Buster's famous hot sauce. A side of slaw or baked beans are thrown in on the side and you before you know it your order is ready. I eagerly made my way to the dining area, a canopied collection of picnic tables set up under a row of heating towers for those chilly winter days. Throwing all pretenses of decor to the winds I set my fork aside and immediately tackled my sandwich with my bare hands. BAM. I found myself close to tears. The tenderness of the meat contrasts beautifully with the crispness of the bread which is all tied in together by the sweet tang from the bbq sauce. Before I knew it, I was sopping up a few remaining beans off my plate and wishing I had worn spandex instead of the pair of jeans which had at that point become unbearably snug. Tip: When they say Hot sauce they mean HOT. There is a mild alternative for those with less tolerance for heat ;)
(4)Meryl P.
My family and I were in the area for some wine tasting and 4th of July weekend fun. It was lunch time and we stumbled upon this BBQ spot. The yelp reviews looked promising and we weren't picky at this point, just starved! You basically line-up in front of the window and order all your food, then you can sit outside by the bbq or sit in a somewhat enclosed area. We were a large group of about 15 people and were lucky enough to find some seats inside. Once we picked up our various orders or tri-tip, chicken, ribs, etc, we started chowing down. From the looks of it, it looked as if we LOVED the food. Sike, we were just hungry. Later that night we talked about how dry the meat was, the corn bread was super dry as well, the sauce wasn't that great and they didn't even have enough sauce to help with the dryness. I think this spot's success is it's location, the food was just okay but there is better food around the area.
(2)L. D.
Wooh hooh - best tri-tip sandwich anywhere! Typically I don't like sauces as they tend to be sweet. Here the mild sauce was savory and enhanced the experience. Yumm!
(4)Shar M.
I must say - this place has THE BEST ribs and THE BEST tri-tip and THE BEST BBQ sauce I have ever had! My family raves about this place - and what bothers me, is they went without me while I was away for college, but they have this fake memory that I was with them. They are always talking about it! "Remember that BBQ place in Napa Valley? You've been there... you had the... what did you have?" Nothing! Because I wasn't there! But finally, I can say, YES I've had Buster's Southern BBQ and it was damn good! We drove out here on the Sunday following Valentine's, as our last stop in the wine country before going home. It was cold and rainy, which had changed a lot of our Sunday plans, and we debated driving all the way out to Calistoga for ribs. But our hearts were set on it, so we went. We decided to order the food (half rack of ribs, half tri-tip, and two orders of corn bread) to go. Our car smelled like ribs during the drive back to my place, and we were so tempted to pull of to the side of the road and eat. But we waited until we got back, and everything kept its heat, and it was a glorious meal. I live about an hour away from Busters, but the boyfriend and I both agreed it was worth a trip out JUST to visit this place again. I'm looking forward to making another trip, on a sunnier warmer weekend, so I can enjoy the ribs while they are still hot and freshly cooked. Mmmmm.
(5)Christina D.
*Tri Tip was good *Hot Link was good *Sauce was spicy (and I'm not talking Gringo spicy) *Great summer lunch spot *Will definitely go back
(3)Elizabeth F.
We loved this place! Their BBQ is gluten free (no soy sauce; just Worchestire sauce). I had 1/2 rack of ribs. I could have eaten a whole rack but stopped before I got ahead of myself! My husband said the Tri-tip sandwidch was the best he has ever had.
(5)California R.
This outdoor patio BBQ place was ok but, Meh. Ive experienced better. This place is surrounded by Wineries in downtown Calistoga. I tried to Tri tip steak sandwich with Habanero hot sauce and garlic butter bread and it was a messy pleasure. The heat was on and my taste buds were confused on if they should scream for scorching enjoyment! I also tried the corn bread which was good too. Even though the bbq was good, this place did not have the ribs which was what I originally wanted to try. They were very misleading in how long it would take to have the ribs ready so I had to go with the Tri Tip. The customer service sucks and the asian cashier is obnoxiously loud and unprofessional. I will go back if I am in the area but only becaue they are the only bbq joint in Calistoga.
(3)Jane V.
I came across this place while visiting the area...it was a very gloomy day and so lucky for me there was plenty of parking and no line. The food is indeed FABULOUS here!! I had the tri tip sandwich (mild) and my kids had the ribs and the hot link sandwich. Busters is definitely worth visiting while looking for a place to grub half way through your wine tasting and/or touring. Oh, and i'm not usually a fan of cole slaw all that much but it was dee-lish as well!
(5)Kathleen B.
Um wow. I've died and gone to BBQ heaven. I've had this weird hankerin' for BBQ for the last month or so so when we came up here this last weekend and I smelled the sweet aroma of meat on a grill, I knew I had to have me some. The slightest taste of a delicious brisket can turn me on and it definitely got me going on Saturday. We pulled into this cool, nondescript joint and parked our asses under a huge shade tree next to the grill (as in BBQ, not the platinum mouth accessory). There's nothing that makes me happier than a cold beer, brisket and baked beans. I'm a simple creature. So that is exactly what I ordered. The brisket was incredibly tender and slathered with just the right amount of a sweet BBQ sauce and served over a huge crusty roll. The baked beans were INTENSELY amazing and I could have gone back for 2nds and probably 3rds had I not wolfed down the entire sandwich in less than 5 minutes. The prices were definitely reasonable (relatively speaking...SF bbq is way more pricey and definitely not the same level as this). I think my brisket, beer and 1 side came out to about $10. Beer was great, atmosphere was top-notch and Buster was tending the grill. Sounds like a damn near perfect Saturday to me.
(5)Arturo R.
Best place to go eat if you're a cheap bastard like me. Tri tip dinner comes with a mountain of meat, two sides, and some bread. I usually get double baked beans and hot sauce on the meat. The beans are out of this world. (Really) the hot sauce is pretty hot, but I noticed its not the same every time. The heat ranges from tingly on the tongue all the way up to melt your butthole off. White people beware. They also do ice cream and shakes which is nice I guess. Another huge plus is that you get your food within 3 or 4 minutes of ordering so you're not Fucking around waiting for a waiter (even the fastest ones are too slow in my opinion.) +cheap +all the food is super tasty +the staff is really nice (keep it up ladies!) +portions are huge +sauce has really good flavor (don't like the taste of the mild... don't know why.) +++++++ #1 in CALISTOGA. -sometimes its way too crowded but on that note we just get our food to go. No big deal.
(5)Amber S.
I would give this place a solid 4-5 Stars if it wasn't for the rude Thai lady screaming through the window, I did not try the tri-tip, but I heard it was great. We had the 2 way with chicken and hot link, they were both delicious. The macaroni salad wasn't that great, but the beans were really good. I suggest the woman taking the orders practice better communication and work on her people skills because you're really bringing some negative vibes to a great eating spot . I'll give this spot another try and we'll see if their people skills have improved .
(2)Zoya z.
Yum Yum Yum! Came here twice in a 24 hour period, the meat was that good. 1/2 star off for the employee barely speaking English, other 1/2 for not having the heat lamps on. It was cooooold. You have 'em, use 'em! Tri tip, I miss you already.
(4)Miguel L.
Very good BBQ.... way worth the Trip....
(5)Becky M.
Mmmmmmmmm....MEAT!!!! I have said it before and I will say it again, I love me some dead animal to eat. I found Buster's on Yelp while looking for a laid back place to take my Pops to on Father's Day. He doesn't do fancy and his idea of good eats is Applebee's. Being morally opposed to eating anything that comes out of Applebee's kitchen these days, I have to be creative and trick my old man into eating ANYWHERE else! BBQ gets my Pops every time though :) Like father, like daughter I suppose... This place is a little hole in the wall joint right where Hwy 29 takes a right heading into downtown Callistoga from St. Helena. You can tell it is a local favorite according the line of folks waitin' to get their mouths on Buster's meat :-D Both my dad and I ordered the Tri Tip Supper Plate with 2 sides, garlic french toast and medium homemade lemonade. $26 for the two of us; on me of course...since I'm a baller and that's how I roll. The meat was good. Cooked well and tasty. The BBQ sauce was a bit bland, I would kick it up to hot next time, as the medium just seemed a bit boring. The garlic toast lacked butter and garlic as the spread boy was being all stingy. I almost said something while he prepared mine...but didn't speak up. Oh the remorse... I got the potato salad, which was alright, but nothing to write home to momma about and the coleslaw, which was pretty tasty and was made with pineapple for a sweet after taste. Buster's is a little roadside stop that would definitely quench your hunger, but I've had better kick ass BBQ in my day...like my dad's :)
(3)Kamuela K.
~ Tastes so good make you wanna slap yo Mama! LOL =) Oh yeah baby! The hot links here are awesome. The ribs are tender & juicy. ***WARNING*** DO NOT let the girls try and talk you in to putting that hot sauce on your ribs. They were literally laughing at me when I went back to get something to extinguish the inferno that was burning in my mouth! Yep, tears in their eyes, LAUGHING at me!!! "Was that Hot enough for you Honey???" she said batting her eyelashes with that big pearly white smile... Don't miss this place if you are in Calistoga, they have beer too if you are brave enough to try the Hot Sauce. Just don't go back and order it after the fact! You really don't want to have to face that walk of shame!!! ***4 Stars!!!!
(4)Jeff W.
the chili dog was NOT a chili dog. a small side of beans with a small side of bbq sauce does not equate to a real deal chili dog. in my book, the penultimate chili dog starts with a homemade chili con carne. REAL GROUND BEEF. there was no beef in sight. ultimate fail. the vanilla milkshake was super tasty though. and deserved a star. really disappointed though with dog though.
(2)Sonal P.
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! So happy we stopped by to try their steak sandwich!! It's massive and if you enjoy spicy food definitely ask them for HALF AND HALF of the hot and mild sauce. It still adds the zing to each mouthful without making you look like a woos for choosing mild :) Perfect place to sit outside and enjoy getting your hands dirty with these delicious sandwiches!! Thankfully they have lots of napkin dispensers spread around the area and a sink to wash off later. Can't wait to go back for more!!!
(4)Jeff T.
I first discovered Busters about 16 months ago and I was disappointed to learn that in my 24 yrs in the area, I had never known about this place until now. Best BBQ in Napa or Sonoma Counties! I get a sandwich every time(had the ribs once) and even though the sandwiches are extremely messy, they are worth every bite. Whether you order tri-tip, pork loin or chicken, it is sliced up in front of you, placed on the roll open faced with bbq sauce poured on top. The bbq sauce is the bomb. Not only is the meat good but the sauce makes every sandwich 10x better. The baked beans are good also. I've been going there once a month since I found them and I don't even live in Calistoga, the drive from SR is nothing when I'm thinking about what I'm going to be eating All seating is outdoors but most of it is in a covered patio that has ceiling fans for summer and patio heaters for winter.. I'd give 10 stars if yelp allowed it.
(5)David M.
Solid no frills BBQ. Tri tip is super tender and BBQ sauce is the best! Mac salad was too salty, but refried beans made up for it as they were perfect. The chicken melted in my mouth. Wish I had some white rice to pair with this meal! Only complaint is way too many flies in the dining room, but you can't avoid that. Sheer perfection!
(5)Roy M.
It goes without saying one doesn't come here for the vegetarian options. Out front sizzle great hunks of animal and good heavens to murgatroyd do they smell like sex of the most carnivorous kind. Oh, hello, wood fire... oh, hello man with bucket and brush, oh, hello walk-up window. Sure, I'll take a tri-tip sandwich. Oh, it's made with garlic bread? Superb. Would I like my mild sauce on the side? Indeed. Each bite is deep and merciless that way. Oh, I might prefer the pork loin? Why, friend... you must be mad. But he wasn't. Lord, that pork dandy-sandy was something that'll put the tension in ones britches. I've yet to try the ribs, but I intend on doing so one day soon... especially when I don't have to put my hands back in my Racer Multitops for the ride back. Yech. Again, spicy is spaaaaahsay! I get mild and I get it on the side. The place can fill up on nice days, the motorcycle community loves to roll up to this joint. Maybe it's because decent bee-bee-quay isn't on every corner in the Bay Area. Who knows. I'm stoked. This is a definite must for us when we head up to this neck of the woods.
(4)Madelyn Y.
Yummy comfort BBQ in quaint Calistoga! Had a plate of ribs and cornbread muffin to hit the spot
(4)Pamela B.
We tried 3 times in one day to make a phone order to go, she kept telling us she was too busy and to call back.. I was ordering for 4 people, not a small order... worth their time. Food is dry and very subpar... I would NEVER eat here again and I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy!
(1)Jon T.
Best cheap eat in the Calstoga area if you are visiting one of the vineyards nearby including Sterling and Castello. I had the half rack of ribs with baked beans. Very tender and a great portion for a very fair price. Recommended to also try the lemonade.
(5)Amy L.
Tri tip sandwich 5 stars! The baked beans are yum too! I have not tried anything else nor have I been brave enough to try the hot BBQ sauce. Maybe some day. This is my favorite place to go eat whenever we ride out to Calistoga on the motorcycle. It's a beautiful ride and it is the perfect stop to eat outside on a nice day and enjoy some super yummy- super messy food!
(5)Pat C.
They put out pretty good Q here. Nice and smokey and they have a Hot sauce that is actually HOT! We stopped in on a trip we had to Calistoga. The GF said every time she goes by here there is always a line and it smells great so I said let's give it a try. First off the prices are excellent a sando and a side for $8 pork ribs, two sides, and garlic toast $10.50. Hard to beat! Overall the Q is good I would have liked the ribs to be a bit more tender. They had a great smokey flavor but were a little tough. The sides we had were all good we tried the baked beans, cole slaw, and potato salad. I must say the baked beans were hands down the best of the lot. They also have a few tables set up in the back where one can sit outside, enjoy the nice weather, and some decent Q. All in all we had a really good time as the weather was great , we got to sit out side, have some Q, and chase it down with an ice cold beer.
(3)Lonnie S.
Casual But Taste Great ! Can't get enough for their tri tip. Just wondering how they fixed their BBQ sauce. The great taste BBQ experience ! It's so good, meat was tender and just perfect done. That's always my favorite place to stop by, every time I visited this town. Love their side dish as well, and their portion big. You got to try it ! No doubt about it !
(5)Amber G.
Amazing tri tip sandwiches and baked beans! Pretty decent cornbread too although not always the same texture! If you are looking for good food and trying to find a place where you don't feel the need to dress up, Busters is the place for you!!!!
(4)Kori M.
To sum it up, my 12+ years of continuous vegetarianism was brought to a screeching (temporary) halt after coming here. It was the smell. Having driven past Busters and seeing the smoking, sizzling meat on the grill earlier in the day, my car-mate insisted that I pull over on the way home later that night. I agreed. A southern boy (so he knows his BBQ!), he ordered the pork sandwich to go. They prepared the meal quickly, and left the BBQ sauce on the side (so as not to create soggy bread!). We got back in my vehicle, and my friend starting to chomp down on his meal while commenting on it's tastyness. It wasn't more than 5 minutes until I pulled over again, and embarrassed, asked for a bite. The meat was perfectly cooked, chewy but not too chewy. The sauce was amazing - sweet but not too sweet. Spicy but not too spicy. The proportion of flaky white bread to meat and sauce was flawless. And the service was incredible. We chatted with the two ladies behind the counter, and they informed us that their father was from Louisiana and brought the recipes from there. They were super friendly, and put extra meat on the sandwich since it was close to closing time. And when we were indecisive about which sides to order (2 came with the sandwich) they put one of each 6 choices into our bag. This won't stop me from being a vegetarian, but if I'm going to cheat every now and then, this is one place to do it.
(5)John B.
It's local, it's fast food and if you are drowned out in wine - have a beer it goes better with Bar-B-Q, you do have a few choices. busterssouthernbbq.com The Tri-tip was good and not dry, but no choice on how cooked, offered. The Bar-B-Q beans were good, but to much juice and not enough beans on our dinner plate. Potato salad was good but they were insanely stingy with it - served in a condiment cup. Rob R is correct - it ain't Southern USA Bar-B-Q as I know it either. But, there are about 9 billion Bar-B-Q sauce recipes, nobody likes all of them... On the Sauce: Too much vinegar not enough sugar, - the mild sauce was indeed mild - the hot sauce is indeed spicy - mix 1 container of each together and you get about the right amount of fire in the Bar-B-Q sauce. The Pork Ribs were good, but a 1/2 rack is to small. The sourdough rolls were good, can't speak to the cornbread. On the upside we didn't spend over $100 bucks to feed ourselves dinner like we would have at many places in Calistoga either. I'll go back and try other stuff next time I'm there.
(2)james a.
Living in Calistoga we eat here or get take out probably once every week or so. It is always really good, and I am glad to see Buster is successful because that location always has not been good. We love the pork loin sandwich, the tri-tip is not always med-rare but never dry. He dry smokes the ribs so do not expect the fall of the bone experience, but man are they good. One day I was there I saw someone order the tri-tip with hotlinks on it so I had to try it YUM be ready for a fulfilling meal! I like hot and the straight hot sauce gets me sweating. We love this place Thank Buster!! ps anyone who does not like the ladies there keep in mind they work hard and fast and have very little time for small talk.
(5)Eric A.
Calistoga, ah, what an awesome city! The air is so clean and the people there are really friendly. I saw Busters as my friends and I were passing through, and being the BBQ lovers we are, we decided to give it a shot. I have to say, never have I ever been so underwhelmed after eating BBQ. Before I get to my critique, let me just say that the eating environs are really good. It's basically an outdoors place, though you do have a roof over your head. As such, you get to take in the nice smoky smells coming from the cooking. Besides that, the food was nothing spectacular. Being a BBQ enthusiast, I look for a nice smokey taste as well a good harmony of flavor in the meat. While the tri-tip and ribs both had an okay smoke and overall flavor to them, I didn't get that "wow" feeling that I usually get with really good, low and slow smoked BBQ. Another gripe of mine are the sauces. They are simply much too tangy and they overpower the meat. A good BBQer knows that the sauce shouldn't overpower or disguise the flavor that's in the meat, but yet the sauces at Busters does this in spades. Also be warned that there may be times where cornbread is not served. I find this to be a downfall as I (and many others I know) usually like to have a nice warm cornbread muffin to compliment the smokey BBQ flavor. I guess this place is ok to try once (and maybe if you seriously gotta have BBQ while you're in calistoga), but I know that I won't be coming back any time soon.
(3)Veronica O.
We live in town and we ALWAYS take our guests here as an excuse to go ourselves! BBQ tri-tip sandwich is the best. Don't get the Hot unless you can handle it. It IS hot!
(5)Michael C.
This used to be a great place for BBQ. There is am indian lady who is the cashier, not very friendly at all, seemed very put out that we were here. Portions used to be huge. We both ordered dinners one tri tip one pork loin, 5 thin slices of meat each for $11 each. A rip off for sure. No smokiness to the meat. The sauces were still delicious. The meat quantity, and taste sucked.
(1)Ray C.
Still dream of this place once in a while... even though I go to Phil's BBQ on the total opposite point of California (SD). I miss seein' Buster and his crazy cataract-ed (?) eye. What a great guy! But what really did it was the BBQ... holy buhjaysus! I ordered tri-tip sandwich, ribs, all the fixins and the spiciest sauce (apologies to my other end) Out of that list: Must order: every damn thing that's on the menu, plus a tip of the hat to Buster. But BEWARE, the spiciest sauce is no joke! I do some of the spiciest sauces, but whoooo weeee! that was spicy. let's just say my shirt was a bit soaked. So-so order: This shouldn't even be listed. NO order: and definitely not this.
(5)Pete B.
I'm not a pro when it comes to BBQ. I know people get serious about this stuff. What I can say is that everything was delicious. I loved the pork sandwich and beans.My friend told me stay away from the hot sauce.
(4)Carmina B.
Buster's will satisfy any carnivore. If you're a newbie here, go for the tri- tip sandwich and baked beans. The macaroni salad is equally as satisfying. Don't expect the best beef quality, as you're not paying for fine dining here. The sandwich comes with a toasted bread with butter brushed on both sides piled high with hot tri-tip slices with your choice of mild or hot bbq sauce. The trip-tip dinner is pretty much the same thing, but comes with two sides and bread on the side. Casual seating under a hut with a much needed heater for the cold winter months!
(4)Aneliese R.
It is a sweet place. I like the homey -local feel. The food is good and I would go back.
(3)Matt S.
I have driven by this place several times for the past seven years or so. We finally decided to try it today. I come from a family of BBQ masters, so my standards are very high regarding BBQ. I'll give that caveat. I had the pork loin. I have to say, it was just average for a BBQ spot. The rub they used on the outside really did not sink into the meat at all. It was actually pretty bland. I ended up putting salt on it. The sauce couldn't make up for it. Some pieces were tender, some average, about half of them were slightly on the dry side (very slightly). The chili beans, however, were actually VERY GOOD. Definitely a different recipe. My wife and I both gave them a big thumbs up. Potato salad was good as well. My wife had the ribs. I had a quick taste of them. They were also a little on the dry side and a little bland. My wife said that they were just average. My son had the chicken and it was actually very good, so maybe it depends on what you get. Maybe next time I'll try the tri-tip. It seems to get decent reviews. Just my .02 cents.
(3)Donald M.
Definitely stop by if you're running through Calistoga if the smell doesn't make you stop. Buster's is a hole-in-the-wall but they make excellent barbecue. Be aware even though you're not in the south hot here means HOT. I'd recommend getting the mild sauce unless you can stand sauce with habaneros in it.
(4)Mikey P.
I am a Tri tip fan, and this was a great sandwich. many different sides are available, I had the potato salad (below average in my book).....But back to the real food, there were 18 of us and orders were from tri-tip to hot dogs, everyone seemed to like the food. the pork loin looked good, I'll ty it next time. If you are in Calistoga at lunch time, you should give Busters a try. Oh, and I love the fact that he cooks in the parking lot and is more than willing to talk with ya. Motorcycle Friendly
(4)Bernard W.
Killer. The Hot is Hot, so mix the hot and the mild sauces to make Mot sauce. Delicious.
(5)Raj S.
Buster you didn't do anything wrong and I'm not mad at ya. I am on vacation here with my girlfriend of six years and a local from one of the wineries recommended this place. I got the tri-tip meal and it was delicious. The meat was great and came with two slices of garlic bread with butter. Also, the bbq sauce was simply amazing. I would eat here again if I was in the area. The only reason why this place does not get five stars is because when I went there a very disgusting drunk woman was also eating lunch. She was so drunk, and so gross, she was coughing and talking at the same time. I think she had swine flu or at least bird flu. If she wasn't there I would give it 5 stars. Someone needs to spray her down with antibiotics from a fire hose.
(4)Andrew Y.
I heard that this was voted best bbq in the area. however, I'm not sure of what type of competition they were up against. The outside has meat cooking over an open wood fire grill. Looks and smells great. They offer sandwiches, dinners, meat as sides, and your typical sides. I could have used larger portions, but it was enough. Here is the meat in order of amazingness, pork ribs, tri tip, links, chicken (of the items we ate). The ribs came off the bone easily. The tri tip was wondeful, juicy, moist, and tasty. We got the hot bbq sauce which wasn't really too hot so be brave. They accept visa and mastercard. The driveway is one way, enter on the righ, exit on the left. Anyway, if you're looking for bbq and you're in the area, then this place seems to be the best place to go (didn't see any of the others).
(3)Audrey N.
Not a barbecue fan at all, but this was highly recommended by Matt at Honig Winery. Plus, I was outnumbered by barbecue fanatics. I got the tri tip sandwich, medium sauce? Or regular, forgot. But I should've gotten their spiciest since I'm asian and I can eat hot stuff because I listened to what others recommended, my sandwich was not spicy at all! The sauce was tangy and good. The meat was good as well, not much to say about it. I had their potato salad and their macaroni salad. Both were alright, their corn bread was definitely good though. Don't think I'd be back if I went to Napa again, only if I was once again outnumbered.
(3)Tyrone L.
Me and the wife hopped on the Harley and took a ride out to Busters on 4th of July. The best and only good thing we experienced about Busters was the ride there!! We ordered a 3 way Rib, chicken and link. The funky little THREE ribs were tuff , the chicken was under cooked, the links had the quality of the 99 cent store links and were just terrible!! The sauce that was suppose to be mild was nasty and too spicy!! You cant order anything how YOU want it!! No option of just white meat for the chicken. We didn't even gIve the tri tip a try because we don't like bloody rare meat and that's the only way they serve it! The garlic bread would have been okay if they hadn't been so stingy with the garlic butter spread that they top it with! Buster wouldn't be able to get away with this crime if he were in a more urban area like Oakland, even Vallejo for that matter. The location and the fact that he mostly serves Caucasians and tourist is the other reason he's able to keep the doors open!!! You couldn't find a Black Man on planet earth that would like this BBQ!! If you want some great BBQ in Napa County, go to Bounty Hunters in Downtown Napa, or try Gracie's in Vallejo. Thanks for ruining our 4th Buster!!
(1)Christina S.
I really wanted to like this place. It always smells so good! I had a Tri tip sandwich and a side of chili. The Tri tip was dry and void of flavor. The BBQ sauce on the side was ok but very runny. The chili was the most bland of any chili I have ever tasted! I also was not impressed with the cashier women at the counter. They were not friendly at all. Over all I did not find it to be impressive BBQ...sorry :(
(2)Don S.
I had the tri-tip; delicious sandwich. Good BBQ sauce. Pork fillet was good too. Coleslaw was good, but comically small. Corn bread was ok, a bit too sweat for my taste. Asked for a cup of tap water, tasted like detergent.
(4)Jim H.
I ordered the tri-tip sandwich with the hot sauce. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. I can usually handle very spicy foods and the hot sauce put me to the test. It was a great sandwich on toasted bread with a small container of good cole slaw. It was a great stop for lunch.
(4)Peter L.
A great roadside food stand. BBQ sauce was so good, I bought both mild and spicy to take back home with me. Photos: lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR… lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR… lh6.ggpht.com/_yo9XcYlRR…
(5)Will C.
+1 for roadside ambience and real smoke pit, +1 for good bread. However, the tri tips were fatty and the sauce smothered any smoke taste from the meat. This is a place that should be better. I'm afraid that in the desire to try something different in Napa
(2)Victoria G.
If you're looking for delicious BBQ, or a reasonably priced place to dine in Calistoga without the word "Bistro" tacked onto the end of the name, then Buster's is for you. Tender meats, spicy sauce, friendly staff. A winner! P.S. - try the chili beans. You're welcome.
(5)W B.
Tri-tip dinner meat is deliciously tender, the mild sauce is savory and not too spicy. The portion of meat was great and the two sides provided with the 'dinner' make it a great meal. The only drawback I found was that I couldn't taste the meat through the sauce
(3)Craig I.
OK - two stars because the last time we were there in Sept 08 it was pretty good but today was HORRIBLE. The pork was so dry it was flakey and disgusting. The cole slaw was way below average, and the macaroni salad tasted like salty mayo. What happened to the place?!?! Buster -- if you're on vacation, you left your place in the wrong hands 'cause I'm not sure I want to go back with so many other good choices around. Bleh. Should have given 1 star.
(2)D F.
Sliced pork and a habanero BBQ sauce. The pork had good smoke flavor and the sauce was was overpowering to the flavor. I like the concept, but it's not a hot wings place!
(2)Bob M.
My wife, housemate, and I ate there today. Egad. The tri-tip was rare and chewy, the pork was dry, and neither of them tasted smoky or had a smoke ring on the outside. I do Texas and Carolina style barbecue at home using a smoker and wood chips, and if those meats had been done in the smoker Buster's prominently displays for the correct length of time at the right temperature, they would have been cooked through, moist, almost falling apart, and had a smoke ring. Oh, and everything was swimming in barbecue sauce. That's always a bad sign. If you go to the parts of the South where people take barbecue seriously, that never happens with tomato-based barbecue sauce, only with things like pulled-pork with vinegar or white sauce. Anybody who treats red barbecue sauce as something more than a light condiment is either trying to hide mediocre meat, or is an ignorant Yankee. (I'm not knocking Yankees, I originally hail from Cleveland myself.) Thanks to the almost-raw tri-tip, five hours later, our housemate is trying not to throw up, and I'm chomping Tums.
(1)Norm D.
Would definitely go back again. We got there just before the rush of other visitors, bikers, and locals at about 12:15 pm. And thank goodness because the line got pretty long. The prices were reasonable, especially when purchasing the "whole" or "half" rack of ribs, tri-tip, or loin. We are "family style" and fed 9 adults, and 3 kids for just around $100. Not bad at all. The sandwiches seemed like the more popular choices, and for obvious reasons....the portions of meat were generous, with a couple sides. And I also want to mention...the food was pretty good. =)
(4)Ramin R.
This is place seems to be busy all the time but they move the line quickly and serve up some big portions. Kinda hard to navigate their covered eating area with the big awkward chairs. But, if you wanna ruin your palette and enlarge your belly before wine tasting, you should go.
(4)Ashlee W.
Great tasty BBQ! We had the half order of tri-tip & ribs, with the potato salad, grilled oysters, and a vanilla milk shake. Both meats had great flavor. Yummy potato salad, a little on the sweet side. The grilled oysters are big! I had three, with three different sauces/toppings: garlic butter, pesto, and zesty cocktail sauce. My favorite was the pesto. The milk shake was a great way to finish off an excellent lunch -not to thick and not to thin. It was not overly sweet either. :o) Needless to say we left with our bellies full. I will definitely eat there again when I am in the neighborhood.
(4)Joyce M.
I haven't even eaten at Buster's yet, but intend to do so later this week when I'm in Calistoga, but the review by the person who wanted to be able to order his BBQ RARE, MEDIUM RARE or maybe alive, just needed a response. Is this your first BBQ experience? ALL BBQ is cooked all the way through! (I did the 4 stars just to counteract the anemic one star that person gave.)
(4)Polly P.
I eat here often because it is probably the closest thing to "fast food" in Calistoga and I usually need to grab it on the lunch hour and run. Skip the chicken unless you're ok with it being dry as the Sahara. I consistently buy the tri-tip...which is cooked very inconsistently. 75% of the time it is dry and chewy. The bbq sauces make up for it a little but - if you feel extra sassy, try the hot one. The giant bread w/ butter/garlic sauce is hearty, adding to the filling factor - if you like bread. The sides are ok - 3 bean salad is a bit oily and too sweet, baked beans are good. Regular beans are ok and the cole slaw contains pineapple...which I have found fruited slaws tend to be loved or hated. Decent selections of beer and the patio is a nice touch. I will say that overall I feel California has no decent BBQ, but Buster's comes in 2nd to the only other BBQ I have found acceptable in the Golden State (1st is Woody's down in Watts). Happy eating!
(2)Kellen E.
Buster's has the best BBQ in Sonoma County... unfortunatly that doesn't mean much (though, in this case, it does). Fabulous hot sauce. The hottest thing I have ever been sold from a restaurant. It's dirty BBQ. No sweet service, no glitsy condiments. Sandwich? Meat and bread. Sides? Crammed in plastic containers. Nothing fancy here but I think that only plays into the business: no fuss BBQ.
(4)Tyson Q.
Best bbq on the west coast
(5)Joe S.
Get the tri-tip sandwich. Busta Rhymes up in the place.
(5)V N.
The BEST tri-tip sandwich for $7 you will EVER have. Its a sandwich you will crave for. The tri tip is super tender and bbq sauce YUMMM.... and the side of coleslaw.. mmm-mmm gooood... *BURP* I'm not even embarrassed. It's that GOOOOOD.
(5)vinh p.
I went here because of all the Yelp reviews, and I was extremely disappointed. The pork did not taste very good, and the staff was rude.
(1)Danielle N.
Word of caution. Hot means hot. But delicious nonetheless. Shared the tri tip sandwich with the hubby with a side of baked beans. Both were solid.
(4)Ivan B.
I had the tri tip steak sandwich with mild sauce with garlic toast. The sauce was very savory. I gotta say the garlic toast was buttery good too! I had a coleslaw on the side and it was very good. It has this pineapple like taste and it definitle made it very tasty. I will definitely come back here when I am in the area.
(4)Mike M.
This is a really good place. I had the tri tip and found the entire sandwich excellent. Sauce was just right.Wish the had fries .
(4)alyson w.
i enjoyed my food and so did everyone else at my table. the sandwiches are all served on "garlic toast" which is a toasted roll that is then dunked in melted garlic butter. when i asked for chicken sandwich to be on the roll sans butter the woman behind the counter looked at me like i was a puppy killer. it was still a tasty sandwich though, even without the butter. nice that there's a sink outdoors in the back so you can wash your hands before you head to the wineries. difficult to hide BBQ sauce when picking up wine glasses.
(4)Emily W.
I love Memphis Minnie's in SF, it is still my fav but this was worth the 2 hr drive just for the scenery. I had the tri-tip which was delicious I prefer the sides at M. M.'s but the meat here was excellent. Not as smokey as I like but I'm very particular about BBQ. I agree that it was the best place to get a reasonably priced meal in Calistoga. I was a little worried that it would be too cold as all their seating is outdoors, but they have big heaters, so it was fine!
(4)Ann H.
While on a mini vacation to Calistoga with my mother, I wanted something cheap and meaty so I yelped one-dollar-sign restaurants in Calistoga - Buster's came up...and boy am I glad it did! The portions were HUGE, I got the tri-tip and it was nice and tender =) mmmm meat =D Anyways it cost us only 10 bucks for a large amt of meat, HUGE piece of garlic bread and 2 sides (mac salad n potato salad). We split the meal and were both stuffed afterwards! (that's how huge the portions were!) This place is pretty self-serve, u grab your own napkins, find a bench area to sit, eat off your paper plate with your plastic utensils. Not super duper fancy but I'd come back!
(5)Nick S.
Don't waste your time on the brisket or chicken, go with the tri-tip sandwich. It's out of this world and the only reason my wife and I drive 60+ miles to Calistoga once a month. Do yourself a favor and buy some of Buster's BBQ sauce to take home. Warning, hot means HOT!
(5)Jim C.
Damn. That was good. Hot means HOT! 4.5 stars
(4)Alia D.
I discovered this little gem on a motorcycle ride. My friends and I usually eat at one of the "main" restaurants. I guess one of my friends had eaten there and as we pulled in to park I saw the mound of meat on the outdoor grill and I was instantly impressed. I had the tri-tip and was very VERY please with the quality of the meat. On this hot weekend the outdoor seating was perfect. The tables are made out of split logs and it is in the shade. I wasn't so happy with the sides, I was expecting more based on the quality of meat. But a super duper 5 star thumbs up for the garlic bread. I mean any place that has a bucket of hot melted garlic butter with a paintbrush to paint the goodness on a roll is my instant hero. I would definitely stop here again.
(4)Anna W.
with the help from Yelp, BF n i found this place to eat during out mini vacation to calistoga. for under $20 (for 2) you can have 2 sandwhiches and a large drink. i wouldn't say it can fill you up if u're a big eater, for someone like myself, i was satisfied. we had the tri tip sandwhich like everyone else did, it was tender tasty. the toasted butter bread that came with it was really good. i think its the SAUCE that made this sandwhich taste even better. the baked beans and coleslaw was good. mac salad/chili beans u can skip.. one was bland the other was too salty. got the ribs and it was alright. i would come back because its one of the cheaper place to grab some quick food. tip: get the sauce on the side. HOT is REALLY HOT.
(4)Tyler G.
Great inexpensive place to get some great BBQ! I recommend the tri-tip sandwich. It comes in mild or spicy. I usually get the mild, the spicy is really spicy.
(4)Drexel S.
Apparently Californians know nothing about BBQ. Seemed as though the membrane had not been removed from the ribs. This prevents smoke from getting in the bone and adding flavor as well as allowing the meat to reach its desired tenderness. Ribs are not supposed to be chewy! Arghhh! They are supposed to fall off the bone not give my jaws a work out. These ribs were awful. The garlic bread is painfully bad. The beans were ok and thats the best thing I can say about the whole experience. Im from N.C and I know what good BBQ is and this definitely not it.Its actually real upsetting that I waited in line for 3o minutes and payed 20$ for what people around here call good. Its ridiculous to look around and hear people talking about how good it is,I asked the lady what kind of BBQ it was and she said southern, I knew right then they were imposters. I dont know how they do BBQ in Louisiana but I gotta believe Busters is a poor example considering some of the best food in the world is there.
(1)Andy B.
This is a no nonsense great BBQ joint. You know it's good from the heap of oak wood out front, and smoke billowing. Quaint picnic seating. Get the trip-tip. It's awesome.
(5)Gary T.
I'm obviously in the minority on this one but I'm just not feeling it at Buster's. I'll admit I've only been there once but after reading a lot of the other reviews one would think this place is the be all end all to bbq. It simply isn't, or at least it wasn't for me, the one time I was there. I've had a lot of good bbq in a lot of different places and maybe my standards have just gotten out of hand... I dunno... but while this place was ok, it wasn't superb or anywhere close to it. I went there with my wife and mother. We all felt the same. Service was great but the food was just ok. Maybe I'll have to give the place a second chance. Could have just been an off day I guess.
(3)Matt M.
After loading up on Zinfandel at Storybook Mountain, we needed huge slabs of meat prepared in the most primal fashion to soak up some wine. We cruised past Buster's, did a double take, and quickly found a place to park. Waiting in line, we noticed Buster not only smoked the meat, he comes in to slice it and serve it up. I had a sublime beef tri-tip sandwich with a mix of hot and mild sauce. It's served on toasted sourdough brushed with melted butter... need I say more? Yes- on the side was perfectly barbecued baked beans. I was even able to get a nice big iced fresh brewed iced tea. Sublime.
(5)Lorraine T.
If you have a hankering for some laid back man food and some good ol comfort food this is the place to go in the Napa area. Busters is a lil shack on the main street of Calistoga and has the best bbq. Amazing Bbq sauce and the best baked beans i have ever tasted and trust you me i dont like baked beans. I recommend the trip tip sandwich super tender and dripping with sauce talk about mouth watering. Prices are low and food is great so definately worth the visit if you are near by.
(4)Benjamin N.
Buster's has long been a favorite place for us to eat anytime we head up the Napa Valley. My partner practically drools when we pull into the parking lot. The smoker is outside and you can see the meat being cooked... not to mention the wonderful smell of the BBQ. The meat is always tender and delicious!!! One frustration I have is this place has no air conditioning. That means for several months of the summer, it's very unpleasantly hot. Check it out, you'll be glad you did!
(4)Alex D.
Best BBQ around the Santa Rosa area(within 40 min drive). Love the Hot BBQ sauce! Bring a jacket sometimes it gets cold in the covered outside eating area.
(4)Mrs P.
Oh my, really great barbecue sauce and great bread-especially with the garlic on it, yum! Meat is tender and juicy, beans are super too,
(5)Jess L.
I am a barbecue SNOB. Seriously. Note my tagline. And Buster's is pretty darn good grilled meat. Definitely decent. I'm giving them 4 stars because around here (i.e., Northern California) this seems about the best you can do in a restaurant. Probably I'd give it 3.5 if yelp allowed, but I'll happily bump it up because it was Napa-cheap, well portioned, and the sauce was very nice indeed. I didn't detect any real smoke flavor, though, which I admit was a little disappointing. Fortunately, the Thanksgiving goose and capon leftovers from my own smoker have sated me... FOR NOW.
(4)Sherry S.
Very very good food. I take 1 star off only because I am a comfort-seeking yuppy and didn't quite fit in the down-to-earth, no A/C, bike-gang frequent place. But I am defenitely going back when I visit Calistoga!
(4)Justin L.
Fantastic food, however I just wish they were open later :(
(4)Maria M.
Go to Busters on an empty stomach. I usually go for the ribs dinner (2 sides + buttery french roll) ask for medium when they ask what sauce you want, they mix the two together (its just right)... as for the sides, forget about the mac salad, its no bueno.The chili beans lack a certain something. Baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw are your best bets. Bring some moist wipes with you, your sticky face and hands will thank you.
(4)Powell Y.
Not a bad place, been here couple of times. First visit was bringing back some BBQ ribs for the crew at the winery. Tasty, good spicy hot sauce. Went back the other day for lunch, ordered the tri-tip sandwich, the meat was definitely on the dry side. Think I'll stick with pork products on my next visit.
(2)Sherry S.
I Love Buster's BBQ. I live in Napa and drive to Buster's all the time.It's the best BBQ around this valley.It's a great place to hang out get some great food and enjoy your meal. Oh and the HOT sauce is flippin HOT so watch out...Its gets all five stars from me and everyone ive ever taken their to eat with me...
(5)Dirty Dingus McGee ..
barbeque in northern california? that's nonsense! buster's though is no joke. this place has a line for bbq worth waiting in. these guys in the line said they come there 2 or 3 times a week. they warned me off of the hot sauce, saying it was "really hot...painful!" i told them they didn't know who they didn't know who they were dealing with and they sould step their sissy california asses aside. the sauce was hot but nothing a little black diamond amber ale couldn't control. this place is right in the middle of all the wineries in the area. the bbq probably doesn't do well for your mouth before going on wine tastings, but i'll take good bbq and good beer over a half a swallow of wine any day.
(4)Phillip W.
meh...this place is overhyped like crazy. I don't see how they have a such a high average. the food is actually very subpar. We ordered a tri-tip sandwich as well as a pork sandwich. Very bad. The sides are pretty terrible as well.
(2)Jhoe G.
I had never heard of this place but then the second I get there I realize that I belong here. Barbecue Tri-Tip sandwiches with coleslaw and macaroni salad and Sierra Nevada from the tap? This was just what me and the wife need post-hike. Hiking up to the top of Mt St Helena wasn't exhausting but it took some calories out of us and the sandwiches were the best way to refuel and reward ourselves. Oh ya..be careful about ordering the "Hot Sauce"; It's really hot. I had a taste of my wife's pork sandwich with Hot Sauce and even a beer and a half couldn't cool me down. And I usually like hot stuff. You're warned. I hear this place is kind of famous and Buster is quite the character and I guess we just missed him. Next time...next hike. A mud bath and some bbbq go hand in hand.
(4)Mary P.
Tri-tip all the way. I like the mild sauce with a dash of the hot. Minus one star for the surly service.
(4)Josh M.
Great place at the end of the main road, right off of 29. For the price, well worth it. We had the tri-tip sandwhich and the pork loin dinner. Tri - tip = awesome. Juicy, tasty, and messy. Couldnt ask for more. Pork Loin = Pretty good. But it just didn't excite me as much as I thought it would. These guys lose a star for their lack of side dishes, not to mention they are pretty small. I want some mashed taters with all that sauce!
(4)Gerard G.
Fantastic and very unexpected. My wife and I been driving all day and did not feel like doing a formal sit down dinner because it was late. Found this place on Yelp. Drove up and had second thoughts based on the looks of the place, but the reviews were good so we pressed on. Had the tri-tip and it was some of the better BBQ I have had anywhere. Could be I was really hungry that day but I still have craving for this place after the one time, too bad it is 600 miles away . . .
(5)Dana J.
WOW! There's no way this place gets more than 2 stars.... maybe if we would have gotten tri-tip like most of the other yelpers I'd be writing different. But we didn't so I'm not. Either way the staff was not very friendly, there was no one near the BBQ, but the microwave was working overtime. Every order that we witnessed was reheated in the microwave. Yes, the spicy sauce is SPICY, but not a good spicy. Overall, the meat was bland and dry. Maybe if you actually saw someone working the BBQ you'd consider eating here, otherwise I'd eat down the street (to the south) at the little Mexican market, major hole in the wall, but said to be the best Mexican food in town.
(2)Rosie G.
Hubby and I stopped by Busters on a Friday. Wow!! Finally, some very decent BBQ food!! We order the tri-tip sandwich and pork spareribs. Delicious to sum up this review. We also had the potato salad, coleslaw and bbq beans. Very fresh and above average quality. Love it!!!
(5)Mandy D.
This place is fantastic. I've had BBQ in the South and this place has the best tri-tip anywhere. I wasn't so hot on the potato salad (too much mayo and I like mine lightly dressed) but the meat was perfectly cooked. I got the mild sauce since we were wine tasting and the last thing you want to do is wreck your palate with too many peppers. My dad got the tri-tip sandwich with the hot sauce. He couldn't taste anything for an hour (which wrecked his tasting experience later in the day). His side was baked beans which he devoured. I'm gluten-free so I gave the garlic toast to my dad. It seems to be a french roll brushed with garlic butter. Though I got a lot of the aroma, he said he couldn't really taste garlic (see above comment). If I'm in Napa and looking for a quick lunch under $10, this is my go-to place. BEWARE! The bathroom is the smallest in history so it's wise to go at a winery if you're tasting before or after you eat lunch.
(5)sklabahula X.
It is really is just the best BBQ I have ever tasted! And I sooo love BBQ. Better than Flint's or E&J in Oakland. Better than anything else in in the North Bay. Even better than (my now 2nd) favorite, Big Bubba's Barbecue. Even better than mine!!! The ribs are so tender and flavorful, not too fatty and no burned edges. The pork loin was so tender and juicy I couldn't believe it, it was a joyous surprise! Even the sides are good, which I usually find lacking at other establishments. Tasty macaroni salad. Mmmm...the cornbread....had to get extra! It is casual and reasonably priced. Quick service too. Don't let the roadhouse look of it keep you away. It is soooooo worth it!
(5)Eric J.
Best tri tip sandwiches this side of texas. And no, I've never been to texas, but it HAS to be true. You cannot go wrong with a tri-tip sandwich at busters. The hot means hot, for real. even if you get mild with a splash of hot, you might regret it. The mild sauce is extremely flavorful anyway. If you are looking for 100% ass kicking barbecue, Busters is the freaking spot.
(5)Clarence B.
I was going to give this place 3 stars but I read some other reviews I agree with, this place has potientail to be a great BBQ spot but everything there was pre-cooked and re-heated (like I came late to the BBQ) the sides all made much earlier sweet potatos were ok, but for the most part this place just needs the big fat black dude in front cue'n it up in front and someone in back making fresh sides.
(2)Christopher S.
Good BBQ, reasonable prices, great location in calistoga. The only thing I didn't like is the garlic bread that was basically melted butter on bread. Great little BBQ shack though!
(4)Peter B.
Great BBQ! Get the tri-tip sandwich.
(5)Adam C.
The BBQ was delicious. So why a 2 star review? One word: Barbara. Buster's girlfriend, Barbara, was running the register. Snippy and rude. When we took our plastic silverware, she snatched it out of my uncle's hand, and snips "you already have enough forks!" There were 5 in our party. She only allowed us 4 forks. We then asked for two extra paper plates, since we only ordered three entrees and a few sides to split. She refused the plates! We then said "1 order of BBQ oysters.". She hands us a ticket and points to the area to pick up the oysters. The lovely young ladies serving and cooking the oysters took my ticket, and asked, "why would you only order one oyster!?!?" Barbara neglected to tell me that oysters are served individually, a la carte. At that point, the line was too long, and the rest of the food was getting cold. Luckily, the oyster girls were nice enough to accept my money and serve me additional oysters. This would get 5 stars had Barbara not been the world's most crotchety restaurant manager.
(2)Chloe S.
Absolutely great food! This is one of the best finds I have gotten off of Yelp. I had the Hot Links sandwich with the hot barbeque sauce and it was definetly hot, but amazing. The baked beans were great too. My boyfriend had the tri-tip sandwich with the mild sauce and it was fantastic as well. If I find myself in Calistoga again I will go back!
(5)Jay C.
I was looking forward to trying this place after reading all the reviews. Are you kidding me?? Three "B's" to describe their pork ribs and the pork loin sandwich: Boiled-Boring- Bland. If you like smoked meats and only expect the real deal, save yourself the disappointment.
(2)A B H.
Yum! I had the bbq chicken sandwich and my husband had the pork loin. It was deish. Beware the hot sauce is crazy hot.
(5)Wesley S.
Everything was great! the BBQ sauce has a unique flavor, the tri tip was excellent, and the macaroni salad even had cayenne in it! The cornbread didn't even need butter. A great alternative to the snooty "wine country cuisine" that is all over the place around here.
(4)Erin A.
While wine tasting with the fam, we stopped in here for a quick lunch. It was the best BBQ I've had in ages - very simple, yet absolutely delicious. We had brisket, tri-tip and hot-link sandwiches. Simple, perfectly BBQed meats with the most exquisite habanero sauce I've ever tasted. This isn't for the faint of stomach - I'm pretty sure it put some hair on my chest. I'm also sure that it left my lips burning for at least an hour after I finished eating. Ahhh, but it hurt soooo good... The mixture of spicy hotness and ice cold beer created a feeling of euphoria that I didn't want to end (until I could no longer feel my face). For the wimps out there (and my sister and father), there is a not-so-spicy option, too, which is equally as scrumptious. Cozy, family style, covered outdoor seating with big picnic tables and heat lamps were ideal for our group of 6. It was a perfect side-trip in an area that can, at times, be a bit pretentious. Not this place - not at all. If you're in the area, stop in and burn your mouth off. You'll be glad you did!
(5)Gail S.
My mouth starts to salivate and I break out into a sweat just thinking about this place! My family loves hot spicy food but this is ridiculous. Just believe the sign when it says that the spicy sauce is spicy. The last time we ate at Buster's we decided t mix 1/2 and 1/2 the sauces and that turned out to be perfect for us. You are served an ample amount of tri tip and a side and some butter grilled bread. The meat is tender and tasty. You might want to start out with the regular sauce and then proceed at your own risk. Or better yet, ask for a little taste of the spicy on the side. The seating is in a covered patio area. There is no inside so you probably don't want to go if it is really cool and damp. Just bring the food home or back to wherever you are staying and enjoy. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about warming up if you opt for some of the spicy sauce.
(5)Jorge H.
Best BBQ I've EVER HAD. I drive from the East Bay just to eat this BBQ.
(5)lindsey l.
Buster's is definitely one of the less assuming places in the valley. It is a modest shack-type bbq joint with some pretty amazing bbq. Get the tri-tip sandwich - so yummy! They have hot and regular sauce-- the hot is pretty hot so I always ask for a mix of both. And everytime I come here, I'm not hungry again for hours and hours.
(4)Brian H.
We have went through wine country, stopped no where, ate at Buster's and then come home (couple hours each way). Best tri-tip bbq. If you like spicy the hot bbq is great (warning, the sauce is handmade and the heat can vary). Friends have ordered the ribs and chicken and say they are great too. They also make a great mini sweet potato pie.
(5)dario s.
Greasy crappy food. Noisy and ugly surroundings. If the food doesn't make you sick, the noise from all of the motorcycles will be enough to make you puke. This place is owned by a black man, but is white trash food prepared by HIspanic people And the ambiance of a motorcycle parking lot doesn't help things.
(2)Sam L.
I'm always out for treats that are found in unassuming places and this place fits perfectly. It looks like a dive barbeque place until you see the line out front. Their tri-tip sandwiches can't be beat. The meat is carved in front of you and their sauce is finger licking. Also, try the hot links (and get 'em hot). Best place I've found up there. Beats the pants off of any of the fancy restaurants in wine country.
(5)Mehmet F.
Paid $24 for a meal for two plus a lemonade The meat itself does not taste that good but this place has an excellent bbq sauce. I could probably eat my shoe with this sauce. The lemonade was superb. It is the real stuff. The potato salad and cole slaw were both bad. Old, soggy and cold. Baked beans are excellent. Way too many tendons in the ribs. Get the tri-tip instead.
(4)Carol D.
Buster's is always a great lunch stop during my Napa Valley wine tasting excursions. I love BBQ and this casual eatery never disappoints. If you are looking for a quick, reasonably priced stop in Napa, give Buster's a try . This place is easy to miss but it's a little shack on St. Helena Highway across the street from the Wine Garage.
(5)Alicia J.
Num-O. Best BBQ that I have had in the Bay Area. The meat is hearty, the portions large and the meal delicious. Get the pork ribs. Tender and cooked to perfection on the outside grill. A true hole in the wall worth discovering. I will be back after many adventures in wine country.
(5)Ashleigh Q.
Awesome! We were on vacation and this place was great. Good prices, great food, especially the pulled pork, and every side dish from potato salad to greens. Incredible setting, and there's not a bad seat in the house. Buster is a super cool guy too!
(5)Ken H.
I'm nostalgically writing this review... 2,500 miles away from my favorite barbecue restaurant. Nostalgic, because I just had a friend tell me they were going on vacation in Napa... and I recommended Buster's for about the millionth time. I have completely re-planned my days in wine country around a lunch stop at Buster's for their chicken BBQ (1/2 spicy, 1/2 mild) on toasted garlic bread and spicy pasta salad. Forget the fancy napkins, cheeses & wine country picnic baskets... Buster's is how you do lunch in wine country!
(5)Joe R.
Whoa doggie! I got the tri-tip sandwich, and it damn near killed me with its excellence. This place is quickly become a must-see stop for any wine country trip. It's the type of place where you actually get served by Buster, who's been grilling meat in the same spot for 40-ish years. A warning, though: the hot sauce is not messing around. You should be Indian or have had your heat-sensing tastebuds removed if you want to eat it.
(5)Heidi C.
First time vistor after reading the reviews. I laughed when I got there because the rude thai lady was still working the window. She wasn't that bad, but I did have to tell her no ice in my drinks like 4 times and she still snuck a couple cubes in one of them! The food was good. We tried the tri-tip, hot links, and the beans were good. The macaroni salad was nasty, no taste and all spice. The potato salad wasn't that great either. I actually liked the coleslaw. I love thai food and sweet stuff, so maybe that's why i liked that and the beans. :) Cornbread was okay and the bread was just buttered french bread not really garlic toast. They serve it up pretty messy if you get it to eat there.A young man just slapped everything on the plate, beans and all running into my bread. I think it was worth the drive though to try something new. Too bad I don't get paid for this. Just beware,its on a hill, so the tables and such are on a slant, but the atmosphere is great on a sunny day. There are even nested tables in the back among big fruit trees. I would like to sit out there next time. Enjoy! (I even got a glimpse of buster himself when he was directing me not to park in the stall next to the handicap parking) lol
(4)Bob G.
it is no longer owned by a southern family....it is owned by asians that speak really harshly..."YOU WANT SAUCE"OK i give you sauce....they dont cook on the bbq......i seen the girl take semi-raw chicken..and put it in the microwave , to cook it...so did others....it is not "busters" anymore... it is someone using the name to keep it real....taste is bad also..ohh well...everything has to go downhill sometime !
(1)Rowzbud R.
Tri-tip sandwich and chili beans were delish! Would def go back.
(5)Tess C.
I LOVE BBQ!!!... My husband and I ate here after our spa treatment @ lavender hill... the place is literally next door to our spa, oh so yummy! BBQ is cooked to perfection. AHHHH... !!!! Heaven
(5)Richard G.
Hands down the best damn tri-tip anywhere in Norcal, maybe even the WORLD! Notice I said tri-tip because that's exactly what I meant. Don't try to get inventive and say, "hmm... I wonder what the ribs are like, or maybe the pork loin?". You WILL be sorry. The pork loin is dry & unexciting, the ribs uninspiring, the hotlinks & chicken are both good and if you really must be difficult, go ahead and get those. BUT I'm not giving Buster's 5 stars for anything other than their tri-tip and their sauce! Their sauce is indescribably delicious. I'm huge BBQ fan and I have never found a better place or a better value.
(5)Jenn C.
Wow. I thought nothing could compare to Memphis Minnie's in the city. Ok well this still doesn't compare - but it is coming in a very close 2nd. My friends go to Busters alot - and they told me about a little trick - order the sandwich instead of the meal - you get the same amount of meat, less one side and its about $2 cheaper. If you still need that extra side, you throw down $1.50 and your still up fitftycent. We like to call this the ole 'fitty fiddy" trick. The Tri Tip sandwich is fab - just the tttttiiiiiiiippppp!!
(5)Eric X.
F**K yeah! After walking down the strip seeing all the overpriced yuppified joints to eat at, I was feeling like the quintessential trapped tourist. Fortunately a fellow guest at golden haven told us about this BBQ place, so we trekked past the obvious end of the strip to what seemed like a townie bar. However, what was found was a delightful outdoor bbq place -- a place locals go, a place with hot sauce that knows how to bite back, with succulent meats and wonderful sides. Affordable and authentic local culture. It's all I ever ask for...
(5)Megan H.
Great spot for lunch. Hearty MEAT.
(4)S. Y.
Go there for their delicious tri tip sandwiches!
(4)Thomas L.
Buster is the man the myth of Calistoga and has the best BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich around. When I met Buster 2004 I had heard from local B&B owner at "The Bear Flag Inn" (a great little place to stay by the way) he was stonewalled by Calistoga's local business association in making improvements to his business. A property that had a long history of turnover and was in dire need of change. Buster filed all the proper paper work to make several improvements to the property, fixing the old building, adding a new structure, more room for tables, parking etc. So the story goes he just decided to go ahead and make all the improvements without final approval. Basically saying screw-em since he knew he needed to make the changes for the business to survive. Keep in mind Calistoga is still in the dark ages and as white as wonder bread with a long history of being extremely difficult with newer small business's. Not sure why that is as tourism is vital to that economy, but Buster the only African American business owner (Buster) in Calistoga was about to change all that with or without there blessing. His thought " what will they do sue me? The only African American Business in town?"......and just so you know Buster couldn't be further from being racist but as for the small business association in Calistoga that's still up for debate! So the final result was a huge win for all local business owners as he forced the approval. Its a great story that I'll always remember and if you get the chance to chat with him by the BBQ...beware he will talk your ear off. Great guy with lots of passion and have always wished him much success. Looks like he continues to thrive in Calistoga. Again, he does have the best Tri-Tip sandwich around and better be prepared for the hot sauce cause its legit!
(5)Samantha M.
you are an elitist ass if you go up into the heart of wine country and eat anywhere else but here. ok, i could cut some slack if you made reservations a year in advance to the french laundry, but really... go here for amazing, simple, feel-good food. delicious every time! don't let the long line scare you, it moves along as they deliver hot steamy meaty plates at warp speed. buster is a doll! thanks for the yummy sweet burn!!!
(5)Quailty P.
got 2 items, ribs and tri tip with mac potato and beans. ribs were dry, not good needs lots of sauce, was not smoked too long, the tri tip was very good, mild sauce. 5 stars. sides were ok, but small. but 3 couples in front of me ordered the vanilla ice cream...did i miss something there?
(2)Louis B.
I was a bit disappointed after reading all the reviews. Maybe I didn't get the right stuff. I got the pork loin sandwich and my girlfriend got the chicken breast sandwich. There wasn't any pulled pork to be found on the menu, and for me, that's a must! The pork loin was good, but it was just like regular pork loin sliced up with bbq sauce on it. Same can be said for the chicken breast. The beans were pretty good, as was the cornbread. Wasn't as fantastic as everybody seems to say. Maybe I should have gotten the tri-tip sandwich as everyone says, but I wasn't really up for a sliced steak sandwich at a bbq joint.
(3)Maida L.
nice place to stop when you're really hungry and want some quick, good old fashioned bbq and don't want a fancy, expensive meal. located right off of 29 in calistoga. my favorite item here is the tri tip sandwich. they take toasted garlic bread, brush on butter, pile on tender sliced tri tip and then top it all with a tangy bbq sauce. the mild is too mild and the hot is really hot.. i suggest asking for 1/2 mild and 1/2 hot bbq sauce. the sides are okay. they have the usuals - chili beans, baked beans, potato salad, corn bread.. wish that they had some type of green salad. would also like to see a combo plate (tri tip/chicken, ribs/chicken, etc.) so that you can taste a few items. outdoor seating and you can bring your own wine!
(4)Lucy A.
Sorry, folks, I do not see what all the fuss is about. We ordered take-out: a half chicken and a pork loin sandwich. The chicken was good, the pork loin moist. However, I had potato salad as a "side" which was about 1/8 a cup of underdone potato in a rather bland mayonnaise base. The garlic toast was a hoagie roll brushed with garlic butter to the point of sogginess and was supposed to be toasted but looked more like they had passed it over a match or a cigarette lighter or sometihng. Hardly even warm. The barbecue sauce WAS pretty good. It's a chili powder base from what I can taste and sort of greasy, but tasty. The kitchen seemed messy and could have used a good cleanp-up. I won't be returning. I've had much better barbecue.
(2)Gabe G.
Delicious perfect barbeque food! Yes, hot means HOT people, but it is still delicious!!!
(5)Lil S.
Oh, my friends, you did not steer me astray!!! Not much to say that has not been said -- this place is amazing, worth a visit, and if I ever end up on death row, it just might be my last meal. 'nuff said.
(5)Jay S.
I was born in Mississippi,raised in New Orleans and I know good Bar B Que when I taste it,and man oh man does Buster know his BBQ! You can smell the place when ya drive into town,situated at the junction of 29 and the Main Street in Calistoga,Lincoln ave. Set beneath some large shade trees,with a covered screened patio area,as well as some table scattered about,you will see the BBQ grills and large stacks of wood when ya drive into the place.The ladies inside know how to hustle the food out quickly,you just pick the meat and the sides. My sweet heart and I split one rib dinner for lunch before getting a mud bath and boy,was it was delicious. The ribs were meaty,not too fatty but just enough to add great flavor.Cooked to perfection,not chard in any way, as Dane can't stand the taste of anything BURNT! The sauce was sweet ,tasty and HOT,I mean Louisiana Tabasco HOT. Next time I'll get the milder one. Macaroni salad tasted a bit like the Hawaiian version,really good, didn't care for the bland beans. Beer was cold and refreshing. This is he best BBQ I have had in northern California since Vick & Betty's BBQ went out of business in San Francisco. If ya like BBQ,get yourself there for some good lickin's!
(5)Bryan M.
Great BBQ, one of my favorite places to eat ever. Tri-tip sandwich, baked beans, mild sauce (sometimes half-and-half if i feel like it). Great lemonade. Great price, tender meat, even the bread on the sandwich tastes amazing. Very very affordable.
(5)Bryce K.
food taste = 3.5 price / value = 3.5 service = 3.5 environment = 3 unless you love spicy sauce, i would go with the mild and ask for a bit of the spicy on the side (in a small container). the taste was pretty good. our group had a half portion of tri-tip, half-rack of ribs, and some garlic and corn bread. decently priced. i actually felt we got more bang for our buck by doing it that way and sharing (ask for the tri-tip and ribs to be cut) than by ordering separate sandwiches. bunch of flies and dogs here, but it's an outdoor establishment, so what can you expect? it looks like a live band was starting up as we started to leave, so that would've made for some good entertainment. just watching the meat being grilled will make your mouth water. doesn't quite reach a four for me, but this is a very high three.
(3)Clarke J.
Busters is great. Although a bit pricey, the food is down home good. The tri-tip sandwich with a couple of sides is a full meal. The hot beans are good, the cole slaw a bit dry, but it's all about the meat. Their "hot" sauce is just that, and you'd better have a deep soft drink or a smoothie to put out the fire. The BBQ is outside, and you can find Buster putting real split wood on the fire and turning the meat. The seating is camping style plain, but who cares? This is one of the most unpretentious eateries in the Napa Valley, and worth the ride to Calistoga to check it out. Great motorcycle ride destination from the Bay Area. Busters can get busy, and the gals in the kitchen wield knives with skill and crank 'em out. Highly recommended to folks wanting a solid meal in an environment the kids can enjoy and you don't need to dress up. The "other" side of California Cuisine. Love It. Will be back again, no doubt!
(5)Stan E.
Good, plain honest food. Try one of his Tri-tip sandwiches and you'll never be able to drive by again without stopping.
(5)Amy B.
We were in Calistoga on 6/3/09 and decided to try Buster's for lunch based on the reviews on Yelp. It was ok but nothing to write home about. We tried the tri tip sandwich and the BBQ ribs. Neither dish were particularly flavorful. We ended up eating the tri tip not as a sandwich because we cannot bite thru the meat. The ribs were blend and greasy. We had the hot sauce on the the side. They were hot but not tasty. Don't think we will be back.
(2)Sherie J.
Damn, this is good barbeque! The Tri-tip is tender and delicate. No knife needed it's extremely tender. The HOT BBQ sauce is WICKED HOT@#)$). !!!! Skip the potato salad. Much better than any of the chi-chi places on the way through St. Helena.
(4)Jim S.
As an Innkeeper in Napa Valley for the last 34 years I have really eaten around, but when food is really good, nothing else matters. I am addicted to Buster's BBQ. I plan my trips to Santa Rosa around stopping there for lunch and I always pick up a little sauce to go. I can cook a mean Tri-Tip, but I can't beat the sauce. Hint: if you like your BBQ sauce HOT, ask for 50/50 of their hot and mild sauce. 100% hot will burn your face off.
(5)Yaniv L.
simple and to the point - great bbq pork ribs, wonderful tri tip!
(4)M. W.
AWESOME BBQ! I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the 'Yelpers Love Us' sticker at the counter. Just thinking about that Tri-tip with hot sauce is making my mouth water right now! You can see and smell huge slabs of meat grilling outside. Semi outdoor seating adds a rustic feel. Everything is perfect except for the flies buzzing around. They are not kidding when they say the hot sauce is HOT! There is even a friendly dog who will clean up your leftovers if you can't handle the huge portions. Wish they would open one up closer to SF...
(4)Lil G.
I LOVE Buster's Grill! Buster is the nicest guy you'll ever meet, and his sweet potatoe pie is to die for!
(5)Marla S.
You would think that 353 four star reviews would be some indication of the quality of food. I guess that is faulty thinking....the tri tip was dry, the chicken even drier, the Cole slaw, baked beans and potato salad were pedestrian...like something you would get pre-packaged from Safe Way and the corn muffin was well...sweetly disappointing. I guess when you have had the best BBQ Oakland has to offer you expect more. Buster's is not that place...Buster I am sorry...saw pictures of what I guess was you with a smile and a BBQ....where were you!!!
(2)Gary V.
Busters.... I really wanted to love the place after all the hype. I have traveled across the country and tasted "real" southern cooking, along with the best in Reno championship rib cook off and expected something comparable. What I got was semi-warm beef ribs and just okay beans. The ratings just do not match the food. I've had really good ribs and these were less than. The service was ambivalent... No thank you or any common curtesy when you patronize a business or tip well. Just a blank stare. I really wanted to love this place, but I likely will not return again... A shame.
(2)Steve F.
The BBQ is average at the best. We stopped by this place while visiting some vineries. Heard it is so awesome. It is very easy to find and the menu is very simple. Ordered a 2 way combo and a half rack of pork ribs. The meat itself is more or less tasteless. Only with sauce, it is ok. I bake and BBQ ribs better than this. For $14, you can get 2 full racks for raw ribs and here only for 1/2 rack. The service and speed are ok. 50 cents soda refills. I think the sandwich can be a better choice.
(2)Sandy F.
The spicy BBQ sauce is dynamite!! I had to buy a jar to take home. Loved my pulled pork sandwich and beans. The sweet potatoe pie and corn bread were absolutely delicious. Very reasonable prices. Close to spas and makes for fun day trip from SF
(5)Nonya B.
My husband and I have driven by many times as the restaurant is right off the hwy. We got curious one day and decided to stop and try the food. We walked up to the window and the older lady running the counter was nice at first and answered all the questions we had about the food as we were getting ready to order. Not once did she mention until the end, that all the food had been put away!!! She couldn't say when we first walked up that they decided to close?! By the way, nowhere in front, on the door, or any of the windows has hours of operation! So what they decided to close. I'm not bothered by that. I'm bothered that she couldn't tell us they were closed until we were drooling over the food we had just asked about. The lady answered all of our questions as if she was selling us the food. Oh well!
(1)Nathan W.
Awesome pulled pork. Coleslaw was a little too sweet for me, but who goes to a BBQ place for coleslaw. Great pre-winery snack
(5)Lisa T.
A friendly local pointed us here and boy were we happy! We had a tri-tip sandwich (only $7.50, with one side, I had excellent cole slaw) and some ribs (under $11, including 2 sides), and junior had a hot dog and a corn muffin. It was so delicious that we stopped by the next day to pick up more BBQ for the drive home. Check out the weird abandoned structure behind this place. No idea what it is, but it's neat to explore.
(4)Steven F.
Wow, I've eaten at busters for years the quality of the food the quantity of the food and the professionalism of the workers has went downhill so bad that I don't think I'll ever go back. I called Buster tonight after I ate there and was so disappointed with the food and I was so disappointed with the conversation that I had with him. His words were he doesn't read yelp doesn't care too and doesn't care what people think. Call him yourself and complain and see what you get. I was blown away if I ran my business like that I would be out of business. I know the food there is good four days a week you just have to figure out which four days it is.
(1)Hector G.
This little diner or drive in or dive (hint hint Guy) is nestled just at the edge of lovely and impressive Calistoga. If not for the smoke bellowing off of the giant grills outside and the delicious scent of Cow and Pig cookin, you could miss it. Let's get something important out of the way first. They have a sign on the window that is staring you in the face. It reads as follows : "Hot means HOT!" and there is a picture of a devil with steam escaping his ears on it. This is not to discourage you from ordering the super hot habanero BBQ sauce you read about on Yelp. It's simply stating the facts. Allow me to explain. As a man who loves fire hitting his tongue, I ignored this sign or shall I say my lovely 100% Mexican girlfriend ignored the sign, despite my index finger pointing at the aforementioned warning label. She asked them for spicy and they don't put a tiny amount in a tiny cup for you. They slather your entire meal with the fiery sauce and it's ridiculous burn-a-hole-in-your-stomach-lining HOT!! That said, the tri tip is delicious. It's moist, cooked all the way through and the bark is just crispy and crunchy enough that your taste buds are asking for more. The pork ribs are not the fall off the bone the moment you touch them variety that everyone talks about, but they are succulent and moist and very good. The chili beans are pretty good but let's talk turkey. You don't show up to a BBQ spot for beans do you? Nor do you show up for the potato salad, which in my opinion was worthy of not having at all. When I order BBQ, I want meat! BUT, b/c of the story I told above about the super spicy habanero BBQ sauce, the chili beans and potato salad were used as an extinguisher to put out the damn fire spreading across every square inch of my tongue! Definitely worth a try and for the record, it's a bit on the expensive side for BBQ. But, if I owned a restaurant located within the same zip code as a store that sells red bottom shoes, I'd overcharge too.
(3)Tamara D.
I loved the pulled pork, baked beans and potato salad. My son got a hot dog and it was very good. I liked sitting outside at the picnic tables. In my opinion, you have to eat here if you are in Calistoga.
(4)Jacquelyn S.
Tasty bbq, no attitude. It became a running joke with one of our consultants that his mouth start watering every time we got within two blocks of the place. Honestly enjoyed this more than a couple of the upscale California cuisine celebrity chef spots we ate. Highly recommend when you just want to relax and enjoy. Even better was when we sent the salivator to pick up to go for all of us back at the hotel. Awesome meal, BBQ chicken, best Pinot in years and compatriots in adirondack chairs on the lawn.
(5)Vickeisy A.
The gentleman that attended to us wasn't the biggest people person but was straight and to the point. Absolutely amazing food. We had the pork ribs, beef ribs, chicken, coleslaw and potato Salad and it was all delicious. I liked the pork more than the beef but that's just my preference. We had the mild bbq sauce which was yummy! Will probably stop by before going back home to NYC!
(5)Nanci L.
Our daughter, son-in-law, two grand girls and Papa & Nini listened to the reviews and got an early 11:00am arrival. I (Nini) had read most all of the reviews. Some of the reviews mentioned that we should bundled up because there was no warm place to eat. Au contraire. There was an enormous room, warm and cozy. When we arrived and went up to the window, I joked with the young man about how I had read a few bad reviews which said the "Mexican gentleman and the lady " were rude and "crabby." We both laughed at the reviews, and I found him to be a friendly, smiling young man. As was the lady who gave us our beverages. (And he gave us a marvelous sweet potato pie for all of us! I guess because we all had a laugh together.) We dove into the ribs, macaroni, corn muffins, beans, (yum), .. and fantastic hot (very) and sweet bbq.sauces. Everything was wonderful, as all of the food was perfect! We finished just in time for the long, long lines at the windows. Isn't it funny how there is always someone(s) who can't just enjoy what everyone else raves about the food and service.
(5)Reena R.
Not bad at all! Had the tritip sando based on the yelpers recommendation... it was good. Just some nice quality tender tri tip with BBQ sauce on a soft roll (their Garlic Toast, I guess... though felt like a basic soft roll to me). I chose potato salad as my side... not bad, either. 5 Stars for the AWESOME lemonade, though! :) And those girls running the place are fantastic! My dude got the pork loin dinner - came with 2 sides... he chose slaw and potato salad. Also real basic, no frills meal. All good! Nothing fancy, and that's just good by me. Was this the best BBQ I've had?? Nope - my dad IS king of the grill. But this worked for us. With all the fancy restaurants in Calistoga, I am thankful for this place! I could wear Daisy Dukes, tee shirt and ball cap - and I'm still welcome here. Actually... it kind of reminds me of the Boar's Nest in a way. One thing, though... I came here initially 'cause Yelpers gave it "$." I thought it was a little more expensive than that. Came to $31 for us... TriTip Sando, 1 small Lemonade, 1 Draft Beer, Pork Loin Dinner... still not bad, though.
(4)Fernand G.
Usually very good, sometimes portions are not all that you expect for the price. The sauce is the bomb. I used to just get the sauce and cook my own food. now I have duplicated the sauce and have not been there in over two years. If your looking for a quick stop for some good grub, you cant beat busters joint.
(5)Sarah-Lynn B.
This place is uhhh-mazing!! Ya gotta get the tri-tip sandwich! So good. And it comes serves on garlic bread with a side. I tried both the baked beans and potato salad.. Can't go wrong with either one.
(4)John H.
No frills, but a seriously good tri-tip sandwich. Their hot BBQ sauce is extremely HOT!!! Awesome coleslaw too.
(5)Ube Z.
My wife and I stopped here for lunch before our wine tasting at Castello Di Amorosa. When you first pull up you see a giant pit with a massive amount of meat being cook on it. The smell is amazing. We both ordered the TriTip sandwich with a side of potato salad and got the spicy sauce. The meat was so amazing delicious. It was one of the best Tri Tips that I have ever had. The Spicy BBQ sauce is amazing! It has a great BBQ taste and then you get a kick of spice. The potato salad was pretty good. It helped claim down the heat of the BBQ sauce. I would highly recommend this to anyone that loves BBQ! Once you try it I guarantee you will be hooked!
(5)Kate J.
Buster's is a penny-pinching business. Their portion sizes are very small compared to most bbq joints. Price point is a little high for the portions as well. It cost $18 for a tri-tip sandwich, bbq sauce, macaroni salad, cornbread muffin, a beer, and a lemonade. They put the macaroni salad and bbq sauce in small containers that are about 1.5 ounces. And then there's the customer service. Everyone who works here acts like someone just killed their cat...what happened to small town friendliness? A pet peeve of mine: If I order an alcoholic drink and you're wondering if I am 21, don't ask me "Are you over 21?" just card me! What's the point of just asking? You wouldn't be asking if you didn't think I was. Three stars because after the poor customer service, the food tastes good! Also-- they have a $7 minimum on credit card purchases and charge $1 if you use your card for an order that's below $7. There's an ATM at the gas station across the street.
(3)Amanda C.
So yummy! Everything is delicious! The hot sauce is super hot, but has great flavor. The mind sauce is perfect. The baked beans we sweet and had a great taste. My husband loved his pork loin and my tri tip was amazing! Best barbeque ever. So coming back when. We come to town again!!!!!
(5)Debora L.
Just OK. Found the tri tip a bit dry but portions are definitely large. Hot is definitely HOT - we got the 50/50 split for hot sauce and it was still way too hot. Cole slaw was pretty good, but I wouldn't go back. Seems to be a popular biker pit stop. Felt out of place without my Harley...
(3)Dan H.
Hey! Surprisingly good BBQ in a prefab shack in Napa Valley. Who the hell knew? After a days worth of wine tasting and rubbing elbows with tourists of like mind, we just didn't want to put up with a normal bustling resto with all of the inherent pomp and circumstance. Called on my Yelp app to see what the what and found this 'lil gem. Ribs, not the best I have ever had, but very meaty with a nice smokey taste. I requested the spicy sauce and spicy it was. As in..."Damn this shit is hot" spicy. Mi lady got the tri tip and we were amazed at how tender and flavorful it was in this humble operation. The sides were uninspired (baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw). The garlic bread was huge, soft/spongy, with little detectable garlic whatsoever. But the mains made it worth the few pennies they charge. Service was friendly, and the tall white dude was very comical asking for a $10 deposit for the "fine crystal glasses" he handed us for the wine we brought ourselves. They were your typical clear plastic beer glasses...hehehe. Oh, btw, the corkage is also a comical $3. Yep, $3. Gotta love dining in the country eh? And if you are wondering about the sign announcing "Blues and Jazz." I got the lowdown on that. They recently got their beer and wine license and the Calistoga city fathers decreed that they now needed a cabaret license to have live music..?? What the hell, is this Irvine? Idiots.
(4)Gloria N.
Yum! Their tri tip is definitely worth a try if you're in the area. But just a word of caution that their hot sauce is indeed very hot. Most of the time, I feel like restaurants' make their hot sauces are disappointingly mild because they are trying to the majority of their customers. I was pleasantly surpirsed here, though next time I'd take some of the other reviewers' suggestion of doing half regular and half hot sauce. The tri tip sandwich was so good that I ordered a tri-tip plate to go and ate it for dinner the next day. The prices are very reasonable ($10 for a sandwich, side of delicious baked beans, and soda) and there is plenty of seating - perfect if you're looking for a very casual lunch spot. Would definitely recommend this to any of my meat-eating friends.
(5)Kelly O.
Ordered the tri-tip sandwich with a half and half of the hot/mild BBQ sauce and potato salad. The sandwich was AWESOME- meat was juice and tender even though the slices were thick, the sauce was good and spicy...the potato salad had a "funky" smell to it so I only had one bite but I really didn't need it anyway since the sandwich was plenty. I will definitely be back!
(4)Tony K.
Not the best BBQ I've ever had but not the worst either , it was little pricey for the amounts but remember this is Yuppieville !
(3)Neil P.
Looking for a quick service lunch...pleasantly surprised. They have a smoker/bbq pit outside...full of tri tip and pork. Awesome! We ordered a tri tip sandwich and a chili dog. Both very good. I was a bit skittish of a plastic fork and knife for tri tip...but it worked out just fine. Meat was super tender and the sauce was added after cooking, so it wasn't overwhelming. The restaurant is counter service and has some outdoor picnic tables and a covered area with tables/chairs. Not a super fancy place, but a definite return next time we're in the area.
(5)Ken A.
Busters, Busters, Busters. That's what everyone in the office chants when I tell them I'm making the 3 hour round trip for lunch. It's a little expensive, the guy behind the counter is a little short tempered ( I once had a guy in a Texas BBQ joint wave a knife at me for asking too many questions) the sides are too small (but they are great) and it's not "hot off the grill" I do buy several jars of sauce to ship to friends that are out of the area, I don't get some of the negative comments about the sauce. Busters, since 1964. It must be good.
(5)Jennifer C.
The meats are great. The tri trip was delicious...but not straight off the grill. It was served lukewarm. The sides are ridiculous. The "garlic" bread was not flavored at all. The chilli beans didn't taste like chilli. Worst of all, the macaroni salad tasted old and rotten. We both got stomach aches + food poisoning that night right after. I'm not for certain it is the mac salad but I would think it was. There's not many choices near Calistoga but I wouldn't go here again. Sorry Buster...you busted!
(2)Jordan K.
Yum.
(5)Steph S.
Two stars because the bbq sauce is ok. This is good pork loin, but it just ain't bbq. Southern folks beware. No pulled pork here. Beans seem to be canned and pineapple slaw just don't cut it.
(2)Ashley F.
The food was good, but definitely not the best BBQ I've had. Hot sauce was just like they stated on the warning board by the cash register....HOOOOOT. Go here if you want a decent, fast, cheap priced meal without all the Napa fuss one normally finds in the area.
(3)Emily S.
Nice place. Great garlic bread for the sandwiches. However the BBQ sauce was too vinegar-y, not enough flavors. The sides are a little weak for a BBQ joint. The location site is ok but there are a lot of flies bc of the flap type doors to go in and out.
(3)Alameda L.
I thought I had no limit for spice tolerance until I tried their super spicy BBQ sauce. It burned my mouth out. It made my boyfriend cry. We just laughed the whole time because we had never experienced such a thing. The sides were just OK, I thought the garlic bread would be amazing because they brush the melted butter on but alas, no garlic. Where's the cornbread? I love cornbread... So the spice was enjoyable, albeit hard to enjoy. The chicken was super tender. The seating is a little sketch, and I like sketch, but I don't like flies around my face and a strange empty echo inside a room with cheap benches. I won't be going back because I love Everett and Jones (and I don't live in Calistoga) - but it's a good cheap meal in a region of expensive not necessarily great meals.
(3)Julius H.
Drove by here and saw some guy barbecuing out back. Checked Yelp and decided to go on a lark. Tritip and pulled pork. Tasty. Sauce was spicy so we did it half mild. Baked beans were also great. Would definitely go again.
(4)Chris W.
OMG, I pitty those that think this is good BBQ. I had dinner there last night based on the Yelp reviews. I know BBQ is a touchy topic, but with many positive reviews, I figured let's try it. I ordered the pork rib dinner. 4 Ribs and 2 sides. Sounded good. What I got was 4 dry bony pork jerky, and 2 sides (potato & mac salad) of about 4 tablespoons each. The ribs were dry (the sauce was in a container) and very tough and the sides were over salted. All this was tossed in a to go box with a buttered roll they called garlic toast. Maybe it was a bad night. But after looking at the pics posted, it seems the ribs are not too popular. But if you can't do ribs right, don't do them. Next time I am in town I will check out the taco truck that had 5 Yelp stars.
(1)Issac V.
Busters used to be good but now they raised their prices and the quality of the food went down hill and the meat is cold and dry , they also cut back on their portions . Avoid this place if you can
(1)Leah S.
I went to college just up the hill, and even though I ate here all the time in the years I was at college, my mouth still waters when I think of Buster's Tri tip..... I know you're watching your girlish figure, I know you're trying to keep your cholesterol down, I know it's swimsuit season, but whatever you do, DON'T GET THE CHICKEN! GET THE TRI TIP!!!! Sides are great, my favorite is the corn bread, but the beans are pretty swell too. The hot hot bbq sauce can't be missed, regardless that you'll be looking like you bathed in it by the time you're done. It's ALLL good.
(5)Michelle T.
A little bit expensive for simple BBQ sandwiches and very small sides, but pretty good tasting. The menu was a little confusing (didn't explain what two-way combo was), and the staff wasn't the most polite when we tried to inquire. Not too bad overall though.
(3)Nathan M.
Best tri-tip sandwich I've ever had. Yum.
(5)Mike P.
BBQ is BBQ. Atmosphere is what you pay for and here your wasting your money unless your starved. The woman who own/manages the place Is lacking some serious customer service skills. What a "B"!
(1)Rob R.
Definitely false advertising here - the Southern should be yanked out of their name and quickly! There was no hospitality and definitely no brown sugar in Buster's BBQ sauce. The tritip wasn't available in medium rare and was definitely overcooked and dry. Side items didn't fare much better: the coleslaw was oddly sweet and the potato salad was too creamy. Head down the road to Gott's or Rutherford Grill for a meal to enjoy.
(1)Ivan S.
Do you know how many times on Yelp I've had to read, "Well, I'm from the Bay Area so I KNOW my _____!" Doesn't matter what that filled-in blank is, bahn mi, foie gras, a damn turducken shoved into an ostrich wrapped up in a unicorn, they always seem to know better. But, HA Bitches, I'm from the South and I know my BBQ and this, Yelpers, ain't Southern BBQ. Tri-tip? WTF? That's KAH-LI-FORNIA BBQ. Doesn't matter though. That stuff was goooood. Four stars.
(4)Wendy L.
Pick a different place to eat. Not the best bbq by any standards. No meat on ribs, beans taste like they are from a can. Overpriced and small portions. Pass this place by.
(1)Ilene B.
Yum. That is all.
(4)sasha h.
5 stars for the sides - cornbread, baked beans (amazing) and potato salad (this is less good than the others). The beans are also vegetarian 4 stars for the tri-tip sandwich and the bbq sauce. Note the hot is actually spicy 3 stars for the garlic bread the sandwich comes on, it's pretty good 2 stars for the chicken sandwich. It was completely overcooked. I barely ate one bite of chicken because i couldn't find pieces that were soft enough to chew cheap, fast service, totally casual. I don't think it tastes like the south but i might go again if i were told the chicken was properly cooked this time around
(3)Tina L.
Hm, I guess I'm not a big fan of Southern BBQ? I ordered the Tri-Tip sandwich, and it had an amazing amount of BBQ on it, and I was like hm, interesting. Their dining area had a large amount of flies and I was totally grossed out. We sat at the corner, and there were plenty of those dead thingies just.. dangling off the side. Ew. I was staring out the window and saw a guy on a bike, and a lady wearing a bandana with him. I totally felt like I was in some kind of redneck movie. HAHA. Food is okay, dining area not so much.
(3)ChickaPea P.
4 years later and the BBQ is still delish! One of our fav stops when in the Napa area for tri-tip and pulled pork. The baked beans are great , and the only side that was a disappointment was the potato salad other than that it is all finger lickin goodness especially to refuel between tastings.
(5)Shayenne G.
Went here twice. One after wine tasting and then the morning after. SO FREAKIN GOOD each time. my mouth is watering just thinking about the combo plate with hot link and tri tips we had with a side of macaroni salad and beans. It also comes with the yummiest toasted garlic bread. THeir chai latte was the best chai latte I have ever had because I swear this guy made it with love. He was singing while making my simple chai latte with oregon chai. it is so relaxing and cabin like there, it felt like i was at a family bbq. cant wait to come back
(5)Barbara L.
Went there because of the great reviews. Happy Happy Happy!! My husband had the ribs with half and half sauce and I had the chicken with the mild sauce. Be careful the HOT sauce is very Hot but WOW good!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Richard C.
I am a fan of hot. Busters warns you that their barbecue sauce is extremely hot. But you have no idea! I ordered a hotlink sandwich but I couldn't say whether the links themselves were hot because I chose to let them smother them with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is the ABSOLUTE hottest I have ever had in my life and I've had a lot of hot. Loved it!! Took two bottles and a jar of their rub home with me. (Oh yes. They do have milder sauce for you pus***s.)
(4)Karen P.
Ohhhhhh - I'm such a fan! There isnt a lot to Busters except the food. Yhe bbq is cooked over an open grill that is located in the parking lot. The "counter" is covered but open to the elements. The "dining room" is also open and graced with paper towel rolls that serve as napkins. The place is 'da bomb" My favorite is the pork but other friends are fans of the tri-tip and the chicken. One word of caution: beware of the hot sauce. I always get the mild wirh a side of hot so i can mixthem together for a tolerable heat. Sides are so-so. Cole slaw has an interesting sweetened fruit taste (pineapple?). Beans are okay. It's all abput the meat! And check out the hords of cyclists - motorcyclists - on the weekend. I dpnt know who recruits them but you'll find a lot of 40-somethings dressed up in their duds, pretending to be cool.
(4)Eric H.
Dear Buster, Ya know, all my friends think you're SOOO great... but I just don't know what they see. I like you, you're good and all... but I just dont see a future with you. I enjoy tasting what you've got to offer once a year, but I cant force myself to come back for seconds. Thanks for making my friends happy though. Sincerely, Eric
(3)Hoover C.
Alright, just visited again. Used to be better. Now the portions are kind of cheap. The food is not as good. Sorry, for twenty bucks, I expect more from a combo than 2 ribs and a bit of tri tip. Mostly the side of beans on the plate. Not a very good value anymore. Sorry, I want to love it too. That's napa valley for you though. Just a big rip off nowadays.
(3)Nicoletta K.
As good as it gets. I'm confused as to why it's called a bakery too. There's no bakery ??? At any rate, Busters BBQ in Calistoga has great tri tip sandwiches. We go whenever we're in the area.
(5)J C.
Excellent pulled pork sandwich, great roll, nice portion. Service was efficient, friendly, and fast - no issues. Highly recommended for a quick bite to eat - outdoor seating area is great.
(4)Haziel P.
Best Barbecue Place in the valley. Especially for it's price, tri tip is always great but you cant go wrong with anything. BBQ sauce is their secret Hot is hot but I love the kick. Baked beans are awesome. Quick and cheap.
(5)M.D. C.
What a BBQ should be. I work in Calistoga and every morning I can smell the woods-a-smokin' -- Authentic and mouth watering! Great meal for the price. Be careful, the hot BBQ sauce is super hot - I recommend blending it 50/50 hot to mild. Nice outdoor tables as well as covered casual dining.
(4)Steve C.
Delicious Tri-Tip and baked beans!!! If your hungry and you like southern style bbq, this is the place to eat!
(5)Brian f.
I wanted to Like this place..... People been talking about how great it is etc etc.... Im Sorry but its not great at all..... Lets start with the food line, your outside and you stand in a line while they slop your food on a paper plate.... The girls that work there arent exactly the friendlest bunch to say the least.... The Tri Tip only comes one way and thats which ever way they cooked it, you get no option for rare or well done or anything... The sauce is VERY RUNNY and WATERY..... They give you a small portion of triTip on a piece of bread and then splash runny sauce all over it..... The sides where the biggest joke of all......I asked for potato salad and I recieved a small tiny little sauce cup with potato salad in it...... LOL REALLY?? thats the size of my side?? wow thats a freakin joke...... Look through the pics people posted you can see how small the cups for the sides are..... I asked for cheese on my tri tip sandwhich and of course they have no cheese all you get is one kind of tripip cooked the way they want and some runny sauce and a sauce cup for a side, all on a paper plate and this is for 10 bucks?? no bread no drink no salad or soup all i got was overpriced picnic food......... P.S you wash your hands outside and the bathroom is so small that when i close the door my elbows hit the inside walls while i pee..... lol i just dont understand all these 5 star reviews there was NOTHING 5 star about it ....... i mean NOTHING!!
(1)Ronda L.
BBQ was ok the tri tip was the best there mild sauce is too hot and the beans were mushy. The beef ribs didn't have much meat and the pull pork too dry. The Mac salad was a little spicy. Potato salad was the best side.
(3)Alexander S.
After a relaxing Hot Spring...my wife went over to Busters BBQ! This was our first time food was great! Maybe not traditional southern BBQ but tasty! The spicy sauce is flaming hot!!!! Beware!!! Goodness but burning!!!!
(4)Edi G.
If you're looking for hospitality this is not the place for you. They have the best southern BBQ in napa valley. I highly recommend the tri tip sandwich with medium BBQ sauce. I wish the place was just a little cleaner. If you're looking for a great tri tip this is the place.
(4)James D.
Service was horrible. The elderly, obese, Caucasian lady that was working the cashier was extremely rude. She has been rude every time I have been there. They also charge $1.65 for about 1oz of extra sauce. Food is alright, but does not make up for the lack of service.
(1)Christina L.
Maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of BBQ food, but I wasn't too impressed. Even the tritip, which is supposed to be amazing wasn't. For me, it was overcooked and dry. In fact, most of the various cuts of meat we got to share were dry. Even though the spicy BBQ sauce had my tongue and mouth burning in a good way, it didn't make up for the lackluster, disappointing meats.
(2)Alex C.
See everyone else's reviews. This place is Bomb! The sides were too small though, and only average in flavor. Next time I'm just getting the tri-tip and ribs and taking it home and make my own sides. Other than the sides, they know how to make the best BBQ. I love the hot BBQ sauce. The outdoor sink is convenient so you can wash your hands without touching any door handles or making a mess everywhere. Customer service can be better, but I'm still giving it 4 stars because the meat is soooo good and makes up for it.
(4)Keith A.
This place is AWESOME!!!!! The sauce is superb and the service is super duper fast. The ribs and hot links are so dang good. I wish I had two stomachs LOL. Lemonade is a bit too sweet, but I really didn't care. It's worth the trip to go up there for me!
(5)Diane C.
What a divine find this place is for down home southern barbeque. I loved the tri tip dinner that was served with crunchy gooey buttery garlicky toast. The tri tip was juicy, heavenly seasoned, close your eyes and drool - GOOD. I had both barbeque sauces- regular and habenero...YESSS! My side dishes were the cole slaw which had a secret ingredient of pineapple...nicely done and chili beans. I loved the clientele- bikers, college students, yuppie, preppie, wine tasters, locals, and folks like me...LOL...What a joyful meal it was in more ways than one. Wear jeans, bring an empty tummy and be prepared to share a table with perhaps your next new friend! Yummy yum yum. *s*
(4)Gary A.
The Tri tip sandwich is wonderful, I got half regular and half hot sauce on mine, it was perfect. The meat was tender and the combination of the sauce made for a great sandwich. I got beans for my side, very average. It's a small place and you stand in line to order, the service was excellent. Take this place for what it is, a BBQ joint, don't expect fancy plates and lots of condiments. Also, I came here for the food not to examine the bathroom like some people! I'd give it 5 stars but the price is a little high. If you are in the area check it out.
(4)Tiffany N.
Buster's BBQ is so not the kind of place I picture eating at in Napa. It's essentially a walk-up window where you order your BBQ and then wait. Once you're called you take your (delicious) food to a wooden table and eat up. If the weather is nice you can sit by the windows. If the day is cold you can cozy up to the outdoor heaters and sit under the roof closer to the center. A word of warning here, spicy is ridiculously spicy. I recommend asking for half spicy and half mild so you can enjoy the flavor of the meat you choose. Three bean salad, baked beans, pork, and beef are all fantastic choices that I've personally had the pleasure of eating. And no BBQ meal is complete without cornbread so make sure you get some of that too.
(4)Carolyn D.
Our noses led us to Busters! Heading through Calistoga on the way to Sonoma, we smelled heaven and had to give it a try. To be perfectly honest, is it the best BBQ in the universe? No. Is it a bargain? No (you're in WINE country). But it is completely unpretentious, delicious, home style BBQ. I'm not a fan of saucy BBQ (daughter of a Texan and from SoCal), so the super tender dry rubbed tri tip was delicious to me. BBQ sides are all up to individual interpretation--as many ways to make beans and coleslaw as there are people making them. Totally decent. We have talked about it all year, and its definitely on the list for this years' trip. Kinda fun to taste at Chateau Montelena with a belly full of Busters!
(4)Seth S.
I worked in Calistoga on and off for two years. Every time I was in town, Buster's was mandatory. I gave Busters five stars, but please do not think this is a Three Star Michelin restaurant or a fancy sit down white cloth dining venue. This is BBQ, without pretension. When you walk up you are greeted by the smell of burning oak and meat grilling. The place is a shack and parking can be challenging at times. The eating area is an open space with large long tables, almost like picnic benches, but the chairs pull out and are very stout. You line up at one end like a cafeteria, tell them the meat you want, they cut it, pile it high, and pass it on to the next server. Then you choose your sides, your drinks, and desert. I've had BBQ in Memphis, Santa Maria, South Carolina, and Texas. For my personal taste I like Busters the best. Also, for the beginner, if you like it spicy get your sauce half and half. Spicy is truly spicy. Try and get there by 11 am. All the local construction and road crews know about this place and it's packed at noon. Lastly, in the winter it's chilly. Bring a coat as the heaters don't always keep the dining area/patio warm.
(5)Julian P.
There really is no question about it and I will argue with anyone that tries to say differently about the fact that Buster's is the best bbq in Napa Valley and quite possibly the North Bay. Their ribs are fall off the bone tender, and California's favorite tri-tip is slow smoked and one of the juiciest, tastiest, most tender tri-tips I have ever tasted. You can get it as a sandwich, or as a meal with beans or cole slow and a piece of fresh baked bread. Their bbq and hot sauces are all house made and can be bought in individual bottles. WARNING: when they say the hot sauce is hot, THEY MEAN THE HOT SAUCE IS HOT!! I would recommend trying it before having them smother your meal in it as they can cut it with regular bbq sauce and make it more bearable. Or if you feel like being risky or showing off, then go for it! From Napa, it is a bit of a drive, but it is absolutely beautiful on the way up and when you get there you will not be disappointed. Get there a little early as space for parking and sitting is limited and it gets realllly busy at lunch. They serve out of basically a double wide trailer so the whole place is small but there is outdoor covered seating. If you want real bbq Southern style with a California twist, come to Busters!!
(5)TJ J.
Buster's Southern BBQ & Bakery. Is there any long time resident of Napa Valley who has not heard of Buster's or seen him out there doing BBQ? For many years I've seen him out there with the smoke and picnic tables but never got around to stopping in. When we finally made it we found a new restaurant of sorts, something enclosed, where you order at the counter. The BBQ is still there and so are the picnic tables but Buster's now has shelter for winter weather. Buster's is famous for its Tri-Tip Sandwich, although the pork loin has its fans. Baked beans as a side are always recommended and we recommend them too. The cole slaw is good but sweet, with pineapple. I would try something else next time, but you might really like it. You can also order two way dishes with two sides, a huge meal for $16 if you don't want just a sandwich and one side for about $8.50. Oysters are also highly recommended but seasonal so I did not get to try them. I'll be back in the summer, though. If you read the other Yelp reviews, you will find some that say the hot sauce is really hot. You can order it mild or hot. Half-and-half was not very hot. If you are a chili head or use to Dave's Insanity then even the hot will not be hot enough for you and you might want to bring more heat along. I could easily have had only hot. My friend preferred half-and-half. If you do not like any heat then opt for the mild, but it is super mild. The hot is only hot if you are not into hot sauces. If you are, then it will be rather mild compared to real hot sauces. It just depends on where you are on hot sauces. If you live in Napa Valley and have not visited Buster's then you have missed a Valley landmark. If you are visiting, then I'd encourage you to visit some of the really fine Calistoga wineries and take in Buster's at the same time. Being no expert, by any means, on BBQ, I cannot attest to whether Buster's is real Southern, Texan, Louisiana or whatever. If you are a real BBQ expert, then you know much more than I do. My friend and I can only say that for the average person, Buster's is necessary visit. We thought the food was very good. I just wish I could have met Buster himself. He was there earlier in the day, but we missed him.
(4)Star G.
My tri-tip sandwich was decent but nothing that will make me want to go back. The sauce was different for Southern. Most Southern sauces are really sweet. This one seemed heavy on chili powder. ...Not the cleanest place either.
(2)Daniel G.
Stopped here on a ride through town. Food was't bad. Pretty much what I expected but nothing spectacular. There spicy BBQ sauce is pretty good and they are sure to remind you that it is real hot. Nice place.... I'm glad we stopped and tried it. I may go again but I wouldn't go out of my way. Next time through town We will probably try something else.
(4)Dustin P.
Hot means HOT!!! They have this posted next to the order window, I strongly recommend you pay attention as their "hot" bbq sauce is HOT!!! Tri-tip sandwich was great and the meat was tender. Defently will stop by again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Rebecca P.
First time there and the prices seemed a little high but after eating the pulled pork sandwich it was well worth it. I was a little hesitant about the pineapple in the coleslaw because I tend to like it not so sweet but it was absolutely delicious. I like the slaw on my pulled pork sandwich and all the flavor combinations melded perfectly. I also tried the macaroni salad and it was very good, close to how I make it at home. A little disappointed that the sides are all extra but they're very tasty. Don't forget to try the corn muffin. The portions were not huge but plenty and I left quite satisfied. I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)Victoria Putri T.
This place is the most delicious spot for tri-tip. I have tried tri-tip all over cities in Norcal and Socal. Buster's is seriously the most tasty and salivating place to get a tri-tip. Their sauce is one of a kind, half and half is the perfffect amount a spice for a fellow spicy-kick lover for your meat! Sides are delicious! I am not a beans person at all, but for some reason Buster's baked beans are to die for! The corn bread is the best corn bread I've ever tasted in my life. Words can't describe how amazing Buster's is. The value is totally worth it. Highly recommended.Buster's will never get old. Love this place to death! A tri-tip meal for under $10? Just amazing! I love it so much it makes me want to cry.
(5)Richard M.
I would rate six stars if I could. I've been eating here for a few years now, and they've never let me down.
(5)Eric S.
The Holy Grail of BBQ My first week I worked in the area I went to lunch there 4 out of 5 days. Everything I have eaten there is amazing. My favorite is the Tri Tip, its sooooooooo good. Ribs are fall off the bone, Pulled pork is perfect, Chicken is very moist, Beans a great, Slaw is one of the best i've every had, Mac Salad taste like my moms. (PERFECT) I recommend EVERYTHING Oh Ya....The hot BBQ sauce is well HHHHOOOOTTTT
(5)Erich V.
When I bit into my first beef rib I had the thought, "These aren't that good. They're a just a little bit too tough and stringy." Then after I finished the second one I realized that for the past five minutes all linguistic thoughts had shut off and I was focused solely on the physical task and enjoyment of eating those ribs as efficiently as possible. The meat wasn't falling off the bone, it needed to be bitten off and I was deriving a distinct animalistic pleasure doing so. I put down the second rib and thought, "These are really good." Then I made sure to slow down and savor the rest. Afterwards I had a short chat with the eponymous Buster and he confirmed that the dogs chilling outside do not want for their fill of beef rib bones. According to him one of the dogs eats enough to live, but the other lives to eat. I think I'm on Dog #2's side.
(5)Dirk W.
One of the best ways to end a day of wine tasting in Napa/St Helena/Yountville/Calistoga. Right here at Buster's. Whether it's ribs, pork or beef . . . or tri-tip . . . and the sides of beans, cole slaw, macaroni or potato salads, it is a meat-lovers BBQ paradise. And nice to eat outdoors or in their air conditioned dining room. Remember to bring your bib. The BIG one.
(4)Carl L.
This place has some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The hot links were flavorfully crafted, the hot sauce is the hottest hot sauce I've enjoyed in BBQ, and the pulled pork is perfectly marinated, NOT drowned in sauce. You can tell its authentic by the fact it's an open pit BBQ, a shack where they cut and serve the meat, and a covered porch to sit under. Comes with a garlic-butter slathered bread roll that perfectly absorbs the hot sauce as well as the meat flavor as you make your own sandwich. If I'm ever within 20 miles of this place, I'll be checking in for lunch.
(5)Patricia Z.
It is very hard to resist meat, especially after wine tasting in Napa. I ordered a rack of beef ribs with a corn muffin, and it was amazing. Pros: -Full rack of beef means FULL RACK. None of those small bones with meager scraps of meat that you have to gnaw at -Mild BBQ sauce is tangy and is not overly sweet -Corn muffin. Not too dense, not too airy. Pairs well with meat! -There were enough leftovers to last me another meal (or two) Cons: -I prefer my ribs to be tender to the point where they fall off the bone. These ribs were slightly too tough in certain areas -I wish I asked for sauce on the side, because I also don't like my ribs being drenched in sauce
(5)Patricia R.
Best southern barbecue in the heart of Napa valley!!! This place must be illegal, the food is amazing. Perfect place to finish a good wine tasting during the summer time. As a local, I love to stop by and get some BBQ to take home or just to simple eat it there with a good beer. My favorite are the brisket and the pork sandwiches. They get little messy when you eat them, but it so good that makes suck your fingers. The meat is really tender, fresh and with a great BBQ flavor. The beans and the beer are also really good, great flavor. This is a place that you must go and don't miss from your visit. This place demonstrate that Napa Valley is not only wine.
(5)Sue L.
As we passed this place on the way to the wineries we saw that it was a bit busy so made the mental note that if we were still hungry on the way back we would call in. It was a mixed experience. The hot dogs were nothing to write home about but the pulled pork sandwich with the "no refund" hot sauce was pretty good and messy. There is a sink, towels and soap near the kitchen for before and after. The coleslaw was a bit sweet but OK and prob caters to the locals. The hot sauce....it was bloody hot...but I ate it.
(4)Ben M.
This spot has been a longtime staple at the main intersection in Calistoga. i have never been disappointed!
(5)Jackeline H.
I came here with 3 friends, we didn't know where to eat near the last winery we visited in Napa, and we yelped , we discover this awesome place :) the food was super tasty, tri tip was juicy and really yumi, bbq sauce awesome !! highly recomend this place :)
(5)Justin G.
This won't be one of my go to BBQ spots. After highly anticipating some delicious BBQ , I was disappointed... I thought everything was dry, the bread was not Southern BBQ bread, the side of Mac Salad didn't taste good at all, the servers were not polite. The side of beans were the best part! The savior of the meal were the beans. I smothered the chicken and ribs in the beans for moisturization. Needless to say, I won't be recommending this one. Next time I wouldn't call this Southern BBQ, I would call it Calistoga roadside BBQ .. Perhaps if "Buster", the owner, was here it would be a different story, so please come back Buster and re-teach your staff how to cook. I bet you can cook up some mean BBQ.
(2)Angelica C.
3 beef ribs, 2 sides, garlic bread, and medium lemonade cost 15.60usd Line can be long on the weekends, even for a late lunch. There's indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit outside, cars from the lot drive right by you and you'll end up smelling like bbq. Food is excellent and worth the wait.
(5)Luka T.
This was the worst experience I had with my family.. We went there yesterday and I ordered the half chicken baked beans and potato salad.. And it was the worst experience chicken was so dry I couldn't even eat it..my daughter ended up throwing her chicken on the floor because it wasn't good..flies and bees all over by the trash and where people prefer there food and the floor was wet and slippery .. Tri tip no flavor and ribs wasn't all that...for the price it's not worth it... This place sucks can't even give the a star...customers service was not even good they don't even look happy to be there
(1)Diane V.
This is THE place for BBQ! Stopped here for lunch & can't wait to come back! Got the Pulled Pork sandwich with mild sauce, potato salad for my side & water to drink, is very "warm" today & the only thing wrong with my meal... not enough room left for some Sweet Potato Pie.
(4)Marshall H.
We visited Busters today and all I can say is, Busters should be busted. I had a 1/2 slab of Salt pork Jerky, that he sells as Ribs. I had 2 sides, Chile beans ( right from the can) and some other indescribable noodle, tasteless, store-bought crap. This isn't Barbecue, the meat is salted and thrown into a dehumidifying electric smoker, that he forgot to put wood in. Save your money and keep driving.
(1)Melissa H.
The meat here is okay but it's the supporting cast that threw me off. I have yet to find a BBQ place in this area that satisfies my expectations. Maybe my expectations are too high? We ARE in California not Texas. I got a tri-tip sandwich with baked beans and an extra side of Macaroni Salad. Tri-Tip - Good, moist, tender Sauce - Not my style of BBQ sauce, I expect more tanginess and sweetness Macaroni Salad - Terrible and really salty, I felt like I was eating a glob of pasta with mayo and salt. Yuck! No flavor at all besides the mayo and salt. I never thought somebody could actually mess up Mac Salad, what the heck? Bread - Non-descript. It also appears their garlic bread is simply white bread with flavored melted butter. What a dishonor to garlic bread everywhere! Baked Beans - Standard, no complaints Now, I got violently ill after I started eating. I won't say that it was the food that made me ill because it appeared I was dehydrated but it certainly didn't help make the experience a positive memory. I wouldn't be opposed to giving this place a second chance. Maybe next time I can bring my own BBQ Sauce (kidding.. maybe) and the meal won't be half bad.
(2)Tiffany S.
The food was excellent, the ordering process went fast and it was very easy to find! 5 stars for this one! The baked beans have some sort of flavor that I can't quite figure out but it's so great! The mild sauce has a bold smokey twang to it that makes me want more and more. So apparently their sides are all unique in their own flavorful way. The coleslaw has a sweet fresh taste to it which is also fabulous. I had the tri tip dinner which was $12 and came with a ton of meat and two sides along with two pieces of buttered garlic bread that you can make into a tri tip sandwich. The trip tip looked a little dry and I was worried it would taste that way but when I took a bite without sauce of course it was perfect! I could have eaten it without the sauce but once I dipped it I couldn't stop dipping it! The sauce is bomb!! Oh I just had another bite of the coleslaw and I figured out the sweetness!! It's pineapple!! Pineapples in coleslaw, yum!! So you order at this little window and ten pay at the other one. They have a covered porch type area to sit and eat at. For a little off the beaten path find, I'm a fan!!
(5)Jason G.
If you are ever in Calistoga it's a must I just murdered a combination plate, half chicken half tri tip , the spicy sauce is somethin else so be ready for it The tri tip is world class and i would put,it up against any i have tried My only complaint was the elevator music they play is terrible, play some rock and roll buster! ! Cant wait to get back to Busters i can smell it from miles away Yummmmm
(5)Mike M.
Fantastic BBQ Beef Ribs! It is getting more and more difficult to find a place that serves BBQ BEEF Ribs. This place offers delicious BBQ BEEF Ribs. They are to be applauded for having BEEF ribs and for preparing them so deliciously! You order at a window and then when it is ready, you take your plates to an outdoor table or to a table in an adjacent indoor structure. Low on ambiance, but high on terrific flavor!
(5)Vicky H.
Three words: BUSTER'S HOT SAUCE! It is addictive-ly spicy. Pairs amazing with their bbq meat. I've only tried the tri-tip but apparently the racks are amazing as well. I come here every time I'm in town. Must get the beans!!!
(5)Samantha L.
My new go to spot when visiting Calistoga. Great little spot right off the main street. The line went quick and the food was fabulous. Perfect for a quick stop in between wine tastings.
(5)Angela J.
The BBQ rib is a highlight! Long line waiting but food was served very fast. Corn bread as side order was also good. Only drawback is that you have to either take to go or sit outside where a lot of flies come after your food.
(3)Daniel W.
When you get a hankering for good old fashioned barbecue, and you're in the famous Napa Valley, tired of all the fancy shmancy restaurants, then head your motorcycle or car over to Busters! This is a real good old fashioned barbecue place, where they smoke then meet outside on hardwood Tellme you order at the window and watch and put everything together, and you can either eat outside, or if it's a hot day in there air conditioned dining room. Everything simple, straightforward, delicious, and even reasonably priced. for a quick snack, the chili dogs are excellent, and only $6
(4)Tiffany M.
Finer licking good is all I can say or post about their pork ribs! Husband got pulled pork on garlic toast and was also just as pleased!
(4)Mike F.
A person in Napa advised me of this place because I was camping nearby... It was a Monday afternoon (5pm'ish) and I wasn't quite sure if it was open but I parked anyway & walked up to the counter. The counter attendant was pleasant and I ordered a hot link sandwich with potato salad ($10.50), she asked if I wanted regular or spicy BBQ sauce and I replied "spicy". She warned me that it was really hot but being a lover of spicy I said absolutely... It was really hot & I loved it but wish the potato salad had been really cold to offset it instead of just cool. There was just outside seating on a really hot day and lots of flies (not their fault but still annoying), the napkins are at the tables with a fast food feel where you dispose of your trash but the sausage & sauce were delicious. I want to again say that I love spicy food, I'm a top tier heat level at Thai restaurants and it was hot so be warned. I would definitely come back and have the same meal with the same heat... Thank you Busters
(5)Ann V.
Best place to go and have a tri tip sandwich. It is the best I have had in years. Always tastes amazing. Must go when in Calistoga.
(5)Justyn W.
This little spot in Napa Valley was a sick find. I have a friend who used to live in the area for a couple of years and reached out to her to find out where I should consider grabbing a bite after a long, arduous day touring wineries and sipping the finest nectars they had to offer. It just so happened my friend and I had a hankering for some BBQ after heading out of Castello Di Amorosa so we decided to head to Buster's, which was one of my friend's suggestions. It's located right on the corner of a small intersection, but can't really be missed because of the constant flow of people that seemed to be coming in and out of the place. The line moved relatively quick and they have some solid offerings for tri-tip, pulled pork, chicken, sausage and other meats. If you're not one for beans or some variation of slaw/macaroni salad then you MIGHT not find a side that suits you because thats mostly what they offer. I wills say, though, that their french bread is DELICIOUS and you can either get a sandwich or order a full plate and get the bread on the side. I opted for pulled pork, tri-tip, chili beans, cornbread and the french bread. I was not at all disappointed. The meat was extremely moist and flavorful. I kind of regretted having gotten BBQ sauce poured directly on my meat instead of just on the side so I could fully taste the meat and dip as I pleased if needed. I don't think the meat needed any dipping. Be careful because the sauce is quite spicy. They also have some classic American beer options for those who so choose. Overall, if in the area I'd consider going again. But probably not because I'd want to try another new food place during a visit. If you feel like BBQ, though, then def do this!
(4)Kerry H.
Highly recommend. Love the simplicity of the menu and the place. I had Buster's for the first time yesterday. Very impressed with the quality of meat and style of BBQ. The sauce is definitely HOT so proceed accordingly. But DO PROCEED! A fixture in Calistoga for nearly 2 decades now, I've driven by it 1,000 times and I'm really glad I finally decided to check it out. Tri-tip is to die for!
(5)Regina C.
droolworthy BBQ all the way in Calistoga. it makes me want to cry that it's allllll the waaaaay in calistoga. y'know, really, the sides are just okay...nothing to rave about there. but the MEATS! if i am ever to have a full on episode of the meat sweats, i want it to be because i've eaten an absurd amount of BBQ from Buster's. i had the beef ribs and the hot link and good god were they delicious. the beef ribs are massive, fatty, meaty, smoky, gut bombing and what dreams are made of. good bbq is hard to find in northern california so i'd say Buster's ranks preTTy high up there in bbq for these parts. if you're in the area, absolutely make your way to busters. sometimes you can catch him bbqing like a boss. also, there's a black dog that roams around who's belly is growing steadily from all the scraps he gets on a daily basis. it's cute.
(4)Maegan V.
My family drove all the way to Calistoga to try out this BBQ spot. We ordered a large rack of ribs and a few sides, and I must say I've tasted better. The ribs were dry which made the meat chewy and hard to peal off of the bone. Then, their macaroni salad was oddly spicy. It's hard to explain but it tasted a lot like pepper. To top it off, we paid over $120!! For me it definitely wasn't worth the drive or the money..
(2)Rew C.
Me and a buddy stopped in for something to eat after tasting wine that day. we both had pulled pork sandwiches. The pulled pork was a little dry but was served separate of the bread in a Styrofoam container so you can put as much or little on as you wanted and the serving was hearty. I liked the sauce - kind of a sweet tomato vinegar sauce on a good crusty roll. The Potato Salad - eh, not great, but everyone has there own that they like. I don't find a many that I like as much as my Mom's - it's always high expectations with a low appreciation in the end.
(4)Luster C.
One of the worst bbq plates I've ever had. Totally dry pork ribs, so they smother it with sauce to hide the fact the meat is not cooked properly. Prepare to tear your teeth out gnawing on the meat. The cole slaw is sweet syrupy finely chopped generic mess, and the potato salad is just a mush of mayo and relish. The three bean salad is just canned, rinsed then reloaded with a spicy Italian dressing. The bread is great fluffy and toasted good until they dunk it in the butter, now you have a sponge sop to eat. Even the bbq chicken and pork loin were dry and chewy. The cashiers are so rushed they don't take the time to listen to you when you order so you have try several times just to complete the process, then the line staff divide the food onto different plates without clear communication, so be careful because our entire plate of meat went missing. This place has so much potential with the facility being great, if they cared about the food and ordering process with improvements all the way around I would think this place could be turned into top notch someday. Don't go unless you're desperate for some kind of lousy bbq.
(1)SzuYu L.
I like their tri-tip and pork ribs. Best southern style BBQ in Bay Area!
(4)Crystal H.
Get the pork ribs! The beef ribs are too fatty and tri tip is kind of dry. Coleslaw tasted fruity and Potatoes salad was sour for me.
(3)Corey J.
If I could give it zero I would. Customer service was non-existent. The ribs looked like they were cooked in a microwave with no evidence of being smoked. The sauce was bitter,store bought bbq sauce would have been a huge improvement. Save yourself the time - don't bother with this place.
(1)Oleksandr R.
I probably had high expectations after all these reviews and rating... Ribs are not good, portions are small, and in general place is not impressive. Cannot recommend.
(3)Glen G.
I'm giving Buster's BBQ a 3 stars and that's a bit of a stretch. The food is luke warm and could be more tender. It was tough and at times chewy (had the ribs, pulled pork and tri tip). The flavor is okay, but nothing to scream about. The sides (potatoes salad, baked beans) were the highlight of the meal and even they were too small. The pulled pork was more of a Mexican Stewed pork, not flattering at all. If you just like bbq no matter if it's good or not, try it. But chances are I wouldn't go back... so I'd better adjust to a two stars.
(2)Chris M.
This might be the best BBQ nearby... But IMO it isn't exceptional BBQ. Been here twice now. Ribs are not fall off the bone tender... Texture was like they were cooked too fast. Taste was decent but could use more bark. Tri tip doesn't have much taste. Would prefer it to be just grilled. Pulled pork was served way past its time - had been sitting in a warmer too long Chicken was pretty good Beans could be from a can but I'm not 100% on that Cole slaw was nice - the apple was a good touch Potato salad not that great Sauce was very smoky and different. I could see how adding the sauce to any of the meats might make them more appealing - I tried everything without sauce. didn't see buster there either time but it was later in day when I went. I think someone trained in the ways of BBQ could crank out much better!!!
(3)David H.
BBQ and Wine tasting in the Napa Valley !!! Yum !! The pork is great !! The Tri Tip is killer !!!! All are sides were wonderful it was s great lunch !!
(5)Denny T.
Located at the intersection at the main road into town. This place is hustling busy and for a good delicious barbecue. The location isn't too large but gets plenty enough of patrons as the restaurant appears to have had several expanded sections. The menu is quite extensive for barbecue fair including brisket, pork, chicken and the accompaniments of Mac, Cole slaw, potato salad, beans and the likes. Staff was friendly and helpful. Order was taken and prepared without much delay to enjoy. Flavors and heat were spot on for the several meat plate I ordered. Rubs on the smoke meat were complimentary respect the time and meats for the process. Barbecue sauce choices to add were on point for sweet to the spicier options for items ordered. Good: small shop, great flavors, friendly efficient service. Bad: nothing at this time. Four stars. I'll be back someday.
(4)Joanna S.
The trip tip sandwich is amazing!!!! I could eat two of those. The lady standing in front of me in line was a local, and said that was the local's favorite as well. I also tried the beef ribs and pork loin. They were good, but not as good as the tri tip sandwich. If you get the plate, it comes with the same garlic toast they use as the sandwich so you can make a sandwich on your own. I think next time, I would get a 2 item plate, with tri tip (to make my own sandwich) and pork ribs. The cole slaw and baked beans were good. But boy oh boy, I love that bbq sauce they use!
(5)Fred B.
Really, really, REALLY f'ing good barbecue. Need I say more?!? Well, apparently yes, because Yelp insists on more words, so... Great ribs. Great pork loin. Great chicken. Delicious. Fantastic. Wonderful. A carnivore's wet dream (by wet, of course, I mean the mild and hot BBQ sauces...). BTW, when they say "the hot sauce is HOT", they mean it. Great, long tongue burn... :-)
(5)Vicky S.
There is a reason why they have a sign that says no refunds on the hot sauce. My hubby and friend who are a hot sauce afficianados both agreed that it was really, really hot. So hot that he started hiccuping! The pulled pork and tri tip were excellent the hot links weren't hot but that could be because he ate it after tasting the hot sauce. Baked beans were pretty sweet but not just sweet for sweet sake. Corn bread was good not outstanding. Arnold Palmer was heavy on the lemonade. The inside seating area was cool but if you sit near the windows, the flies are aggressive. Overall great casual dining, a delicious place to refuel for more wine tasting!
(4)J G.
Highly disappointed. While on a wine trip in the area, we decided to stop by Busters to grab a bite to eat-especially after viewing the positive Yelp reviews. Unfortunately, Yelp set us up for failure. The tri-tip and pork ribs were just ok, the bbq sauce was sub-par, and the bread was forgettable. The below average potato salad was only a pinch better than the store-bought coleslaw. The worst part was the sweet potato pie. Plain horrible. Being from the south, we were expecting some decent Southern BBQ. Maybe our expectations were too high, I don't know. What I do know is we definitely will not be returning here.
(2)Bradley N.
One of the best things about Buster's BBQ - other than the excellent tri tip and pork loin combo - is the fact that simply by being there it reminds you that Napa Valley is flesh-and-blood real rather than some wine-soaked fantasy land. In just thirty minutes of relaxing and refreshing outdoor dining here, you're likely to encounter more diversity in terms of class, culture, and age range than in a whole day's worth of wine and cheese tastings in Rutherford or Yountville. Buster's is the kind of place that I'll bet President Obama would love for a drive-by lunch if he weren't already booked for a round of fund-raising dinners in Marin County instead (and his Secret Service detail would be happier, too). To accompany your tri-tip and pork loin combo, order a Sierra Nevada on tap and ask for the fresh-made cornbread for $1 extra (instead of the garlic bread), plus some coleslaw and potato salad as sides and - presto! - you've got a $30 meal for two made in open pit BBQ smoked heaven. I'll bet that a lot of Napa wineries in the area rely on Buster's for filling up before or after a long shift in the fields or cellars. We overheard more than one conversation between wine workers and out-of-town visitors to this effect. It's simply hard to argue with a conveniently located, fairly priced, well executed BBQ set-up with ample outdoor seating, clean tables, and cold drinks. A good wine country experience is about livening things up with non-wine related activities: hikes, beer and BBQ, morning coffee and fresh baked goods, evening meals by the campfire, morning walks in the park, maybe a dip in a public swimming pool or visit to a local library. Why not? It's Napa, not Never-Never Land. What the Oxbow Public Market is for the lower end of the valley, Buster's (along with Yo El Rey down the street and around the corner) is for the upper end: a place to hang out, get a good bite to eat that doesn't involve wine pairings or cave tours, and absorb a little local flavor - along with a healthy dose of old fashioned American wood smoke rather than a whiff of air-dried French oak. Thank goodness for that!
(4)Sean L.
This place is amazing! Great spot if you are in the Calistoga area! Hands down the best tri-tip sandwich I have ever had! This is as authentic as it gets! Must try it whenever possible!
(5)Amy C.
If instant gratification in the form of salty pork ribs, non garlicky garlic bread and skippable sides is your thing, Buster's is your huckleberry.
(3)Ted L.
Definitely one of my fav BBQ spots in the Bay Area so far. The meat was certainly the highlight of the place and the sauce just made my mouth water uncontrollably. I think the price is on the higher side which may be the only complaint I have. I got the 2-item plate which runs you $20 but comes with garlic bread and choice of 2 sides. I got the potato salad and chili beans which were both good. If you're in the Calistoga area, I'd say this is definitely a must!!
(4)Diego M.
What can be said about Buster's that hasn't already been said about Sofia Vergara? Delicious. If you love spicy BBQ Sauce you will love this. They offer varying degrees of heat if you aren't up for the 'Hot'. You can see the meat cooking on the grill outside and you can smell the aroma from a few blocks away in all directions. Warning: you'll want to take a nap after this feast.
(5)Conlan R.
This place is a must visit when in Calistoga. The sides are pretty decent but the pork ribs are out of this world.
(4)Dominic Y.
I mean, it's an okay BBQ place. They're tri-tip is a little dry. They sometimes skip out on portions. For being the only place that really serves BBQ around Calistoga and St Helena its okay. Pretty pricey, but not as pricey as other places in the area. But hey, its more of an experience.
(3)Nancy R.
This throw back setting in Sonoma is a just stop. Open pit barbecue of massive haunches of meat rent the air with oak-fired smoke. Fresh beef and pork, chicken, spicy sausage and hotdogs too! Spicy on fire sauce and home made macaroni salad, cole slaw and all the fixings you want. As you slide down to pay low and behold Sonoma wines, local brews and water and soda! Enjoy!
(5)Al W.
The best barbecue in the area. Whenever we are in the area, we like to stop by and get their tri-tip sandwiches. They're always busy; but it's worth the wait. Make sure you pickup a bottle of barbecue sauce to bring home and their cornbread.
(4)J C.
Amazingly delicious! This place is 5 stars for a reason. Stopped in on a saturday afternoon, and while they were busy, they were also really quick with the food. we had the tri tip and the pulled pork; both were delicious; the "hot" barbeque sauce has a warning posted on the window about the heat, and while it didn't disappoint on that aspect, it also had great flavor as well. the baked beans were very tasty as well. my only regret is how far away from home buster's is, as it may be awhile before i make it back. however, next time i'm in the area, i WILL be back, and might have to go out of my way if i'm anywhere close.
(5)Heather L.
Oh Buster's I really wanted to love you. A good BBQ place is so very hard to find in California. It seemed so promising to see the meat actually being made outside. This was my first experience at Buster's. I live only a couple hours away and I am unlikely to give it another try because there are so many great places to eat in Calistoga. It's Sunday afternoon - still a couple hours to closing time. We order at a window and we opted "to-go" to take back to the Cottages were were staying at just a few hundred feet down the road. The husband orders a Hot Link dinner with 2 sides ( baked beans and potato salad) and it comes with Garlic Bread. I order a 2 item combo - I want beef ribs and a half chicken with chili beans and potato salad - we also order 2 corn breads ( it does say BBQ & Bakery) they are out of Beef ribs so I opt for pork. Why not? The service at the window was not great, the lady helping me apparently had a "day that would never end" and they were training someone new which I am really patient with - because everyone needs a fair shot. We get back to our cottages and set up a nice dinner pour a glass of wine and prepare to open up our boxes of goodness. Disappointment #1 First I notice my ribs are completely missing. Eh - I am really hungry because we didn't have lunch. So I first open up the "garlic toast" which - Disappinemt#2 - is basically a packaged sandwich roll ( something I can buy at Costco) slapped with some ( a little?) melted butter and garlic? I mean didn't it say "Bakery" on the sign? And looking through other Yelp pictures was a completely different bread that is served at other times. So I move on to the Potato salad - Disappointment#3 a which was mayonnaise with some grainy potatoes and crunchy celery thrown in. Nothin' but mayo flavor. Chili beans (#4) - soupy canned beans with a little ground meat and pepper thrown in. Tried the husbands baked beans and they seem like the same beans with way too much brown sugar thrown in. When I finally tried the chicken AT LEAST it was moist. The breast piece at least! But I'm not sure I could recognize the other quarter of the chicken. Maybe some skin, bones and tendon. The HOT BBQ sauce was Spicy and I love hot - but I love hot with flavor and this was just all heat - no taste. The hot link was completely unremarkable. I crossed my fingers that the cornbread redeems this place (Bakery on the sign - remember?) The cornbread was like biting into a sweet sponge-y hockey puck. I guess I just prefer a more grainy, less sweet, pillowy fall apart corn bread. The was just dense and sweet and not my style. The 2 stars is strictly for the fact that the few bites of chicken breast were flavorful and moist and were the best part of the whole $40 ( 2 people) meal.
(2)Rob D.
This is a good destination for motorcycle riders. It's near the Silverado Trail and other good riding roads in Napa County. The food is real good.
(4)Matt M.
Decent place for a lunch stop. I got a brisket sandwich, if I remember correctly. The meat was cooked really well, and the sauce on it I found just to be ok. Gotta love these little mom and pop BBQ/comfort food places. That's what I live for. Didn't see the big 4-star yelp hype, but it's a good place to try.
(3)Erika D.
My family and I tried the pork lion sandwich , pulled pork sandwich, macaroni salad, coleslaw, baked beans, chicken breast sandwich! Everyone enjoyed there meal the food was so yummy for such a little place!!
(4)Michael B.
I MUST stop here every time I am in Calistoga. The hot BBQ sauce is the hottest and most flavorful you will find anywhere unless you make it yourself. The trip tip is always juicy and the baked bean are great, especially with some of that hot BBQ sauce mixed in. A draft beer on the side and I am in heaven! If you are expecting pretentious Napa dining, keep on moving. This is down home, great food.
(5)Veronica D.
This place was really good. We stopped by for lunch. Wish they would add tomato and lettuce for the sandwiches.
(4)Marlene B.
My friend and I ordered the 3 meat combo and shared. Chicken was dry and chewy, not even the sauce could moisten this petrified half chicken. The pork ribs were unseasoned and chewy. Tri-tip was the better of the meats. Well seasoned and medium cooked. Not sure I would go back again since there are many places in town to eat.
(2)Steven D.
Well, One star for showing up for the parade... Original southern BBQ? I think not. I had pork ribs and chicken, beans and slaw. The meat appeared to be grilled and not smoked, overcooked and dry. No amount of sauce can fix that. It appears to me they are just going thru the motions with no real commitment to quality. I guess it helps that there's no real competition. Fuck 'em!
(1)Chad G.
You must stop here. Bbq. If that sweet smell of deliciousness didn't get you to lift up your phone from your face, while driving I'm sure, then Something is wrong with you. As you get to the end if the main drag in Calistoga this parking lot full of meat nirvana is there to tempt your senses and fill your belly. Long lines beware, but it goes fast. Tip. Beat the Lunch crowd and finish that 11am tasting faster to get in before 11:45. You should be fine either way, but if you're like me, noon means feeding time and fast. This big guy needs constant feeding. I swear I may be Asian internally. Honestly there is nothing bad on the menu here and pricing is great when comparing to your other Calistoga alternatives. Price is really driven by how much you want to eat, or your pal says they can eat. We also get extras and midnight is another time the stomach calls. And meat leftovers fit that bill nicely. Also, tons of tables to eat outdoors and people watch
(4)Kim H.
My husband, mother & I got the combos of beef & pork ribs. They were all great. Warning Hot sauce is hot but flavorful!
(5)Margie D.
Another hidden bbq gem discovered! Those of you who follow me know that I am Southern, and therefore a bbq snob, lol. If there's no smoke, it's not bbq! On our way to St. Helena to visit our daughter at culinary school when we smelled the smoke pouring from Buster's outdoor pits. My wife told it's been there forever and that she used to stop there when the kids were little. This is a small roadside place that reminds me a lot of bbq joints in N. GA. Your order at the first window and pay/pick up at the 2nd window. Prices are a little high IMO but the food was fresh and delicious. I prefer my bbq with the sauce on the side. The regular sauce is zesty an dnot too sweet . The hot bbq sauce is SEARING hot, so don't even go there if you're not willing to sweat a little bit, lol. Actually the saice is so good, I bought two jars to bring home. Not sharing this good stuff with friends who don't know the difference between homemade with love and the bottled crap from Costco ; ) Loses one star for pricing and parking situation (small and tight; lots of huge trucks pull in there for lunch and leave nothing for cars).
(4)Stephanie M.
Ate here for the first time yesterday. We both had pulled pork sandwiches with mild sauce and they were delicious! I wanted to try the hot sauce, but I wasn't sure how hot it was after I saw the warning signs! Meat is served on buttered garlic bread (not like small crunchy garlic bread served with spaghetti, more like a long roll cut open, slightly toasted, and spread with melted garlic butter). Sandwiches come with one side and we tried the baked beans (good) and 3-bean salad (decent) as our sides. You can get BBQ sauce as a side, which I didn't understand at first, but I saw other customers go with this option and they dipped their sandwiches in it. Saw lots of people get the tri-tip. Might have to try that next time. The place runs smoothly and the setup works well, but it isn't fancy. You order at a window and then go into a separate building to eat or choose a a spot outside. Saw big hunks of meat being cooked outside. Smallest bathroom ever, but has an extra big sink outside to wash the BBQ goodness off.
(4)Elizabeth Y.
Driving into Calistoga I passed this place, saw the smoke, rolled down my car windows and it smelled amazing. So the next day, after a wine tasting, my group stopped in for a late lunch. It's good ol' casual California bbq. You order at the window and wait for your food, then eat in a semi-open picnic table setting. There is also outdoor seating in the back area, which we didn't see until we were leaving, so they may want to add more signage so customers know. The food is reasonably priced and the sides are tasty. My mother and I split the tri-tip sandwich (she was visiting from the Midwest and tri-tip is rare there so it was a treat for her.) My mother-in-law ordered a sandwich as well, but being gluten-free she asked for no bread. They still gave her the bread so she just set it aside. My 1-year-old niece even liked the meat. Overall, worth it if you want to make a quick stop for lunch that isn't pretentious, super casual and not overpriced like some of the cafes in downtown Calistoga.
(4)Jo A.
Oh my! Best pulled pork ever! And fabulous lemonade as well! But the pulled pork on garlic roll with your choice of BBQ sauces; regular or nuclear, and cole slaw is just To. Die. For! Tender and juicy, the Hot sauce is REALLY hot, but De-lish!
(5)Chloe C.
I live in LA - where bbq is aplenty and Phil's BBQ is only a 2 hour drive away, 4 stars for bbq near Napa Valley is quite good! : ) You have to line up outside to order your food. A rack of pork baby back ribs can cost around $29. We tried the rack of pork rips, 1/2 rack of tri-tip, 2 pints of potato/macaroni salad, 2 corn breads, total about $70-$80 for 4 people. It was already enough : ) If you are on a budget you may just order their sandwich, the meat is still cut from the rack and placed into your "torta-looking" bread : ). The meat is cooked outside on a grill, so it is legit BBQ. The meat was very tender and even without the BBQ sauce they give you on the sides, the meat was salted well! The bbq sauce was more tangy but quite good if you want to dip the meat in (or even pour onto your salad)! The sides were ok, but the winners were the meat! Oh yes, they give you two cups of bbq sauce, one "regular" and one "super spicy" - and it is VERY spicy! I wish the seating was open air but they seemed to built a little dining area where the air-conditioning was turned up high! If they had more open-outdoor seating I think this would make it feel more BBQ-ish! : )
(4)Helen T.
We ordered a combo with pork ribs and tri tip to share. The food was decent and a perfect starter to help us absorb all the wine we were about to have. The macaroni salad comes with cayenne pepper which is delicious! Good place for lunch with some tables on the premises to eat with a large group.
(3)Kymberley T.
This place is good but has changed thru the years..the tri tip is good an so are the ribs..try corn muffin..it's must not be owned by buster anymore cause I've came here for yrs an you'd usually see buster bbqibg outside but haven't seen that in 5 yrs..but all in all its good
(3)Mina C.
Stopped off in here on the way to Napa from Calistoga. Winery trip made better by the BBQ. There was a line, and it was long. The seating is limited to inside a tented area with some tables, and some benches outside. If its cold or raining, I might skip this place. The bathroom was small, but clean so I appreciated that, especially after having a couple tastings of wine ;). I would definitely recommend the tri-tips everyone is recommending. I also enjoyed the ribs. The hot sauce had a kick, but it wasn't as spicy as I expected. I was told by the others it was spicy for them, but my tolerance is pretty high, so maybe you should be careful. Baked beans were GOOD. I'd skip the macaroni salad.
(4)William F.
I stopped here for lunch a couple of days ago because my wife and I were in the area for some wine tasting and wanted a good hearty lunch. We saw that the place had good reviews on Yelp and 1 "$" for price, so we decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed. From the minute you pull into the parking lot of this place, the delicious barbeque smell just hits you in the face, inviting you in. I got the hot links dinner plate, which came with two sides (I chose macaroni salad and cole slaw). All three were delicious. The hot links came slathered in barbeque sauce, had a nice kick to them, and were a tasty meal. The macaroni salad was a little heavy (lots of mayo), but it had a decent flavor, and was only a couple of bites anyway. The cole slaw was run-of-the-mill and pretty tasty. My wife went with the two-item combination plate, choosing beef ribs and pulled pork, which also came with two sides, and she chose baked beans and potato salad. I tried everything except the potato salad. The beef ribs were a little bit tough and chewy; they were decent but the worst part of the meal. The pulled pork was tangy and delicious and the baked beans were pretty standard. As far as price goes, I don't think I would call one dollar sign accurate. It wasn't super pricey, but it definitely wasn't dirt cheap either. All in all, it was a good dining experience, and is definitely a place I would go back to/recommend to someone to try. The hot links were probably the highlight of the meal for me; they were superb.
(4)V M.
Saw this place on a travel show and wanted to try it out. We came here on a Sunday after it had opened for the day and were the only ones there. We both ordered the bbq pulled pork sandwich. It was really messy (as should be expected) but I didn't care too much for it. The bbq was too steong for me and it kind of ruined the sandwich. The meat was very tasty! Buster was there with his dogs and we watched the staff grill up the meat...smelled delicious! Would come back to try the other items on the menu if we're in the area.
(3)JR B.
Went on Friday night around closing, we asked if they were open, they said yes. We ordered pork ribs cause they ran out of beef. They served us ice cold ribs, ice cold beans (even though we ordered chili), the macaroni salad was salty and the potatoe salad was horrible. They charged us full price for ribs that have been sitting around in a bucket for hours. At 7:30 they left, we were still eating so they asked us to turn lights out. This just shows me that there is no focus on the quality of their food. To serve this crap that has been sitting around without even bothering to warm it up. No respect for customers, no return visit from me. Horrible.
(1)Jessie L.
This is our favorite place to go for lunch when we are up in the Calistoga area. I'm always too eager to start stuffing my face to pause and take a picture of the food, so I don't have any pictures to share. You'll have to take my word for it: the BBQ is delicious. We've had the baby back ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ chicken sandwich, baked beans, and corn bread. It is all fantastic. My favorite is the baby back ribs with both the spicy BBQ sauce and the mild BBQ sauce. The spicy sauce is really spicy, so I alternate dips between the two. I usually get everything to go, so they give you the sauces on the side. I love that it's just a humble, honest BBQ joint with nice people behind the counter. You order at the window, pay at the next window, and be on your merry way. The place is really busy, so be prepared for a line because the food is that good.
(5)Bigg M.
This place is amazing. I've tried the pull pork sandwich and the sweet potato pie is a must!
(5)Guy P.
This is a fast food place. You order on one place , take the good and sit nearby . Food is reasonable. We try all types , the preferred was pulled pork sandwich and tri tip meal . The cashier made few mistake on the bill , so pay attention !
(3)Emily K.
Hungry after a long hike, we wanted BBQ. UPDATE! After posting this review, loud drilling began next to us where they were removing a seating area. Couldn't be done in the morning instead? According to Barbara, the owner, no. Pluses- Tender meats(if you can get over the sauce flavor - see below), friendly staff, nice outdoor ambience. Minuses- -No garlic on garlic bread, just plain butter on store-bought hoagie rolls. -BBQ sauce looks scrumptious but is overwhelmingly cumin-y -potato and macaroni salads had a creepy mystery flavor I can't compare to anything. Overall not palatable -baked beans filled me up and were generally ok but I've had tastier from a quality brand can
(2)Lisa F.
Great BBQ. Large portions. We shared a 3 combo plate and had leftovers. Cole slaw and baked beans were delicious. Their hot sauce is really hot -- and I like spicy! Get the mild sauce and ask for a small cup of the hot sauce on the side. Only downside was the bread -- it's not as good as everything else. We'll definitely return!
(4)Daniel F.
Awesome BBQ! Be warned, the hot sauce is actually hot! Great spot in a small town in walking distance to many shops.
(5)Steven F.
Wow, I've eaten at busters for years the quality of the food the quantity of the food and the professionalism of the workers has went downhill so bad that I don't think I'll ever go back. I called Buster tonight after I ate there and was so disappointed with the food and I was so disappointed with the conversation that I had with him. His words were he doesn't read yelp doesn't care too and doesn't care what people think. Call him yourself and complain and see what you get. I was blown away if I ran my business like that I would be out of business. I know the food there is good four days a week you just have to figure out which four days it is.
(1)Nathan M.
Best tri-tip sandwich I've ever had. Yum.
(5)sasha h.
5 stars for the sides - cornbread, baked beans (amazing) and potato salad (this is less good than the others). The beans are also vegetarian 4 stars for the tri-tip sandwich and the bbq sauce. Note the hot is actually spicy 3 stars for the garlic bread the sandwich comes on, it's pretty good 2 stars for the chicken sandwich. It was completely overcooked. I barely ate one bite of chicken because i couldn't find pieces that were soft enough to chew cheap, fast service, totally casual. I don't think it tastes like the south but i might go again if i were told the chicken was properly cooked this time around
(3)