Jon Jon’s

Don’t come here when you’re hungry because you will be walking away with more Than you can eat.
Jon Jon is this middle of nowhere BBQ shop. It is hard to see it on the road but if you roll down the window you can just follow the smell of spare ribs.
The location is small, run down, or just plain old. Don’t let the look distract you. Because you just want it to go otherwise you will be wanting seconds.
The two meat combo is about 15dollar.
Pork rib — solid 8. Perfectly falls off the bone, meat is tender, not overcooked, not raw, just perfect. The sauce they use is debatable, wish it have more kick but it is still good.
Tri tips — not the best I had but better than the average, the meat quality is there but the flavor is somewhat lacking, not smokey enough?
Non meats —
Beans, get them. The sweetness compliments the meat so much. Wish I can get more of that
Potato salad, ehh. Maybe I’m bias because I think Korean/​Japanese have already perfected the potato salad. Can I just get double bean next time please?
Good place good food would come again and again for my BBQ craving.

«I’m the greatest thing that ever lived! I’m the king of the world! I’m a bad man. I’m the prettiest thing that ever lived.”―Muhammad Ali
With my recent pronouncement (
) that the King of SJ BBQ’s reign is over, I feel it is time to crown a new Champion. All hail Jon Jon’s (JJ’s)! The King is Dead! Long Live the King!
JJ’s has been serving up legit Southern-​style BBQ in this Oakland Road neighborhood since 1995. Founded by the Reverend John Erwin, Sr. who brought his Georgia BBQ mindset here to the South Bay and has been doing things the right way―low and slow, son! We’ve always had funny names for JJ’s as we typically call it «Ghetto Ribs» or «Ghetto Q,» because of the suspect surroundings of several RV Parks and a Recycling Yard. But never mind all that noise, because I’d go through just about anything for some awesome BBQ and JJ’s is a prime example of that. Let’s eat!
Pork Ribs– JJ’s Ribs are cracking, as they’re really juicy, smokey and fall off-​the-​bone goodness. They’ve got a terrific bark to them and a nice, tasty smoke ring! 5*
Hot Link– JJ’s must make their own Links, as the spice level on them can vary from Hot to OMFG! One time they were so hot they made my ears pop! I love it when something that’s advertised as hot, actually is! The Link also has a nice smoky, beefy flavor. 4*
Tri-​Tip– Pretty mediocre Tri-​Tip, as the smoke didn’t really penetrate and I found it to be a bit tough and stringy. 3*
BBQ Beans– I’m not sure if JJ’s makes their own Beans but they are seriously one of my favorite Beans at a Q joint ever! Sweet, Spicy and the Beans themselves melt in your mouth like buttah! Reminds me a lot of Boston Baked Beans. 5*
Potato Salad– Now this I can tell is homemade, as it can be a bit inconsistent. It can range from Meh to Pretty good. I like the bits of pickle they put in there and the Mustard is a nice touch. 2.5−3.5*
BBQ Sauce– Sweet and vinegary sauce that has a nice peppery finish. Not my favorite but it gets the job done. Word of warning they like to slop it on everything unless you ask for «Sauce on Side.» 3.5*
Service & Ambiance– Rev John no longer runs JJ’s but, I believe, his niece does and she’s very friendly and affable. Like I said before JJ’s isn’t much to look at, but when you’re eating some delicious Q who needs fancy??? Service 4* Ambiance 2*
Value– JJ’s recently raised prices, but with that price hike it seems like the portions got proportionately bigger―which is a rarity these days. 3*
While JJ’s doesn’t necessarily hold up to Q I’ve had in other states, I think this might be as good as it gets for SJ. So, bring your appetite, and don’t mind the surroundings, as I think you will be in for quite a treat. Long live King John!

Daaaammmm!!! Great everything. verry delicious just one problem after all. t customer service not that good from a girl that attended us. but for the food perfect

Came here for lunch yesterday and got the small combo #11 I think. Ribs, Tri-​tip, and chicken with dinner roll, potato salad, and baked beans.
I liked how the smoker was out in the front and you’re able to see everything and there’s a small dining area inside and a couple tables outside. I really liked the texture of the ribs! Most places overcook the ribs so much that it’s more like shredded pork than ribs. The tri-​tip and chicken were okay to me, everything was slabbed with their bbq sauce which was delicious! I thought the baked beans were excellent as well, lots of flavor and really good to dip the dinner roll in.
I wish they were open for dinner so I could come more often!

Drove by this spot and seen the pit smoking, so I had to stop. I made a quick check and saw the 4 stars, so it should be good… right? Let’s start off by saying it looks the part, outside and in… but don’t let your eye’s deceive you.
I wanted to order the number 10, so I could taste everything… but was talked into the ‘brisket sandwich lunch’ by the cashier. She gave me a sample of what looked like brisket, but too chewy. So I took my chances anyway…
Brisket sandwich is NOT brisket, it’s tri-​tip. The meat was cut with the grain, and that is a huge sin when cutting meat for sandwiches.
Beans are VanCamps pork and beans with about two extra cups of brown sugar, for sweetness.
This was so disappointing, I was really wanting to like this place, but just too many issues.
Before you tell your potential guests that you have brisket, know what brisket is. Tri-​tip and brisket are from completely different ends of the cow. If you want tri-​tip to look like brisket, learn how to cut meat first. Take the time to know your cuts of meat.
Beans are a simple staple food, it just takes time and patience, they are cheap and can last a ling time if done right.

Been here over ten years. The best ribs u can find. Large portion just wish they will open on weekend. At least, now they open till 7pm.

Fantastic brisket. So delicious. I will definitely come back and will recommend to others.
Came back and had the ribs. Amazing. James smoked them to perfection.
Everyone who works here is so friendly and helpful. If you ask for what they recommend, they won’t steer you wrong.
I can’t recommend this place enough.

Hole in the wall restaurant that is super bomb. Favorite and my opinion best bbq place in San Jose. Yall need to open up a decent space restaurant! I’ve told my co workers and friends about this place and every one of them got hooked! Brothers gettin down with the bbq out here. Don’t let the front look of place fool you.

Ribs were tough and did not fall off the bone. Beans and potato salad were typical and hot-​link, chicken was not bad. The BBQ is pretty good but the rib was a bit of a crime; needed to be smoked about another four hours slow and low…

The place has the makings of a good dive joint,
But misses the boat.
Beans– tasted like it was fresh out of the can
Potato salad– scooped right from a tub of store bought
Chicken– dry and needed anything to dip it into to swallow … was tempted to try dipping into my can of ginger ale.
Hot links– while hot, I didn’t feel the love of something special
Ribs– now these were good … and would order those again
You have to purchase a drink… No glass of water
Bathrooms … Gross

Visited on weekday lunch break.
Sorta hidden. Location is right next to trailer park. Just look for the BBQ ‘smoke’
Pros: Servuce fast and friendly service. Pricing reasonable. hotlinks, tritip, potato salad, cornbread, beans= YUM. To be honest, this is my favorite BBQ joint in San Jose. (Must be the BBQ sauce).
Cons: close on Sundays. Close at 3pm.

I dont get what the hype is about. Food came out cold, had to have them warm it up and even after it was still cold. The dinner roll is just a plain roll, the beans i dont like the flavor. Its ok, but my BF loves this place.

It’s pretty good. I had the #1 one rib one link one piece of chicken. Sauce, meat and potato salad were good. I didn’t care for for the beans. They taste like pinto beans out of the can. The place is nice to grab and go. Try it. We need to support more family owe business in San Jose. I will be going back. Bless to gave it near my job.

First time here at jon jon’s and will continue to come back from food tasting great to great friendly customer service and everything in between simply one of the best if not the best BBQ place I been to.

The Wednesday special was pretty good but a little dry. I felt that it was pretty pricy for what it was, especially considering that the restaurant itself is not the cleanest place. The plastic utensils were very flimsy and difficult to cut the meat. The potato salad and beans were good! The bread was hard and I could only take one bite.
No one there is very friendly, but a lot of customers came through while I was eating there. I wouldn’t come back unless I was REALLY REALLY craving BBQ.

As a BBQ aficionado, it’s hard to be too critical of a BBQ establishment in the South Bay, especially as many are closing their doors as soon as they open them.
But Jon Jon’s, a mainstay on Oakland Road, is a «safety» for me if I’m ever feeling like I need some BBQ — or need to vary my BBQ places.
Yet, it’s not high on my list.
It’s bland, smoky, and meaty.
Sides are unspectacular.
Like I said, it’s not my go-​to (nor my #2, #3, #4…) for BBQ, but I know it’s there if I ever need it.

You know it’s authentic when you see the smoke pit right outside of the restaurant.
This place deserves a full 5 stars if it wasn’t for the female cashier I encountered. The food was great. Price was reasonable. They also have deals going on all weekdays lunch. All meals come with their mash potato and beans. The beans is super sweet, just how I like it. The portion is huge! Overall, the food cannot be anymore amazing. The people were super sweet and nice, except for the skinny, tall cashier.
I was in a good mood today. When I walked in, the people at the pit and outside were super nice to me, I was already having a good experience so far. Wait for it…
I ordered right away, the female cashier DID NOT bother looking at me, NOT EVEN ONCE, just imagine I am here looking straight at her, ordering my food and she was leaning against the wall on my right side, facing somewhere else. EXCUSE ME?! So am I talking to your arms now? Literally!
Throughout my WHOLE ordering process, SHE DID NOT SPEAK ONCE! Not even how much I had to pay, rather she punched in the number and assume I saw it. I gave her my money, she gave me changes, NO THANK YOU, still looking outside, asking the other ladies «Do we have ???» That’s the ONLY thing I heard her speak. I didn’t know my order number, or ANYTHING of that matter. Nothing like «take a seat, wait and it’ll be ready». I had to assume everything.
On top of it, while I am ordering, someone needed a soda, she just left me in the middle of me ordering and went to get him a soda. An «Excuse me» would be nice?!?
I mean, I honestly hope she is only temporarily working there. Because I wouldn’t mind coming back for all the other ladies and men working there. They were just so sweet to us. But her, I just can’t stand that stuck-​up obnoxiousness. She reminds me of those queen-​bees in Hollywood high school drama. And you know damn well what happen to them if they keep that attitude in life. If she was the owner, I feel bad for the workers. I am so sorry…

I ate here years ago and it just dawned on me that I never gave them their props.
I got some ribs and chicken and it was awesome. Tons of flavor and cooked perfectly. That’s all you can ask for, right?
I remember wishing it was closer to me because it’s not anywhere near my stomping grounds.

I love love love their food!!! I always thank the Chef if I see him on the grill outside when I leave lol. I am indefinitely a repeat customer for life! Reminds me of home when I chow on their ribs… Bomb!!!

A little taste of Georgia in my own backyard.
Finally there is a place worthy of the moniker «Southern BBQ». This is a no nonsense «smoke in oak» bbq. The staff is super friendly and clearly is there to do one thing, serve great BBQ. Mission Accomplished. Looking forward to bringing more people down to check them out.
I had the full slab of pork ribs and they were perfectly smoked and tender. I used the sauce a few times, but mostly just sucked the meat right off the bone.

Definition of a little hole in the wall.
The food is delicious. Me and my bf shared one plate, and it was enough for to be really satisfied and full.
I didn’t get any food poisoning like I read in other reviews, but I hope it never does!!! That scares me, but I’ll be coming back here cus I didn’t experience that problem.