Armadillo Willy’s BBQ

I love this place. Especially on Saturday. Half off on burgers 11 – 4 pm only Excellent customer service. Lea and Maribel was both so accommodating and Lea personally came to my table and handed me my to-​go food. The other staff was so nice and held as well.

Over the years, Armadillo Willy’s has changed for the worse. When I first came to N. Cal for graduate school, I used to come in and get a two-​meat combo dinner. Gradually, probably due to increased need for financial gain, they started limiting their menu by making items smaller and increasing the price (a classic pivot for restaurants to remain profitable). Now, I’ll usually come here because someone else suggests it. Compared to other BBQ (based on my experience from having lived in TX and AR), this place is about 2.5 stars.
Most recently, because of my lackluster experiences with their classic BBQ items like brisket, I opted to try the patty melt. Overall, it was decent but nothing incredible. Luckily, it wasn’t greasy. Tatar tots are always awesome so I got those to accompany the sammich. Owing to the fact that it’s located near Playstation HQ and other technology companies, this l Armadillo Willy’s is pretty damn busy and filled with techies looking like they really could use some protein.

This was my first time here but my husband and I decided to give it a try since he loves bbq. What I first noticed was how clean and spacious it was we told Ana at the register that it was our first time and she was very friendly and helped us with what to decide for on the menu. I appreciate how patient she was and friendly, her suggestions were great. Our order was out pretty prompt and the ribs were amazing. Even though this is some what far for us we would come back and enjoy another meal. I would recommend this spot to friends and family or anyone who wants a great taste of bbq ribs.

I love certain kind of BBQ and this place make a perfect ½ Chicken. Comes with two sides. I love their Cajun Fries and the corn salad. Lots of onion, just the way i like it. They gave you a lot of chicken too. Big juicy half chicken. Juicy, not dry and enough spice that it did not over whelm the dish. My hubby loves their ribs and Burgers. Always gets it medium rare. We always get the same thing every time we go there. Love their three choices of sauces. Mild are our house favorite. the other two is jelapeno and Chitpole. those are great too but I think it is too overwhelming with their already saucy dishes. The staff are nice and always courteous. If you have a question, they will explain it with a smile. I wish I can say the same thing about the customers. Some are rude and bitch so loudly about their food. How it’s too small or not
is the idea, buy two plates and not one when you are sharing with three of your kids. SMH… cheap ass. Some will hit your seat and not apologize for it. Some will spilled drinks on the floor and not let the staff knows. Just walked away like nothing happened. Umm… you idiots, that can cost harm to someone if they slipped. These people are either too socially impaired to think or to look around. It is sad to see that most have kids. What kind of manner are they teaching their children? To whine and bitch if they don’t get what they want? To spill things and not cleaning it up or let the staff know? To be rude to other diners by bumping, pushing, step on their feet and never to say sorry? Sorry to say that my dogs have way better manner than most of these people. Feel bad for the staff. Now I go there and get Togo only.

I always order baby back ribs because of their tenderness. This location in San Mateo was a huge disappointment. My meal was the opposite of tender, very dry and overcooked. Will stick to my usual Armadillo willy’s location in South Bay.

I’m a huge fan of this place and i’m a vegetarian. They have great boca burgers and french fries as well as healthy options and lots of cold beer. This place is just fantastic. There are lots of specials. Also, the staff is always willing to talk about any questions to you or fix anything that is wrong. They’re really a great staff. This place is great for groups. I go here when i want to get together with a bunch of my friends at once.

If you get the small plate of pulled pork ~$ 8, it’s just 5 small bites of it, just so you know how“small” of a plate it is. It does come with a side though. I got Texas toast (2 slices), but I much rather prefer their Corn Muffins with cinnamon butter! That’s really yummy!
If you have AAA, bring your membership card do you get a small discount :)
The only con is how much they give you compared to how much you pay. Other than that, I think the quality of food is pretty good.

My first time at an Armadillo Willy’s (a different location than here) was splendid. I ordered a plate of the Juicy Brisket and that deliciousness stuck with me. Not sure if things have changed but back then you had the option of «Juicy» or «Lean» and juicy was the way to go. Fat = Flavor people!
So when my coworker asked if I wanted to stop by here for a lunch break was on board.
I ordered a small plate of the beef brisket, asking for the cuts to be juicy, and got the side of texas tots. I added on an additional side of their BBQ beans.
I noticed the cash register person did not ask which type of bbq sauce I wanted with my brisket which I’ve had asked at other locations. He would’ve gotten the jalapeño bbq answer if he bothered.
When we finally got our order (which was quite a long wait) I went to pick it up and it didn’t look right. I asked them,” This is the beef brisket?” and with exasperated expressions, they confirmed it was.
I sat back down on the table and looked over the my plate and it just didn’t look right. I looked at my coworkers meat then back at mine and they looked the same. «This is f*cking pulled pork, those a**holes…»
I went back to the counter and told them I ordered the beef brisket and this was pulled pork. They finally bothered looking at the plate and was like «Yea, it’s pulled pork» took my dish, removed the meat and placed on a few measly pieces of beef brisket. All of which were not juicy and some had a tad bit of burnt taste.
Let’s just say customer service here is crap.
They get at least 2-​star because their bbq beans were delicious. And I love tator tots. Those were the best part of my meal, not what cost the most which was the bbq meat.

The worst sports bar. Ever. Tonight the Golden State Warriors had their record-​setting unbeaten streak snapped. Where was I watching? This Armadillo Willy’s. Earlier this fall my alma mater suffered their first defeat of the college football season and a subsequent tumble from a top five ranking. Where was I watching? Yep, Armadillo Willy’s. I’m not going to say that this place is cursed but well… Maybe it’s that the volume on the three big screen TVs usually being turned all the/​way down vexes the sports gods who then punish the teams’ fans that dare watch a game in this mode.
But seriously folks, of course this place is really all about the pit-​roasted, grilled, or fried meats and standard dishes that pair well with it. The nearly infinite parking outside combined with the spaciousness and 30-​plus tables inside, beer on tap and those TVs is an impressive line-​up before you even get started. The staff here is consistently friendly or polite as in there’s got to be some genuine customer service culture within the company behind the restaurants. The small plate menu helps keep the bill and your mid-​section from ballooning but they still offer their original platters if your appetite really is wildebeest-​sized.
This location does seem to be slipping a bit though. Arriving just before 5:30pm half the tables appeared to be empty only many really weren’t as previous customers’ plates and cups hadn’t been cleared. Usually all three varieties of french fries while not rave-​worthy are good except tonight I had the Cajun version with about half that weren’t completely cooked. I should have walked that little basket back up to the counter ’cause they definitely crunched my experience. I really didn’t need my chicken lathered with their chipotle-​honey sauce either but it was tasty and spicy even if over the top-​off level.
These guys do too many BBQ things right for it to be ‘Game over’ as a regular stop just yet but last night I was checking Unilocal beforehand for some place different and I’m starting to think finding some place that’s better too might not be so hard.

This place is great! It’s a cross between a fast food joint and a nice restaurant. There is no waiting to be seated. You can grab a paper menu on your way in and order at the register, then you find yourself a seat and wait for your order to be ready. If it’s really busy, then you get an electronic buzzing device that’ll go off once your meal is ready.
The food is delicious! There are so many meals to choose from and different sides. You also get free refills on drinks since it’s a self serve drink station. Their sauces are amazing too. My favorite is the Jalapeño sauce.
The restaurant is very clean. There are plenty of seats and different style seating to fit your needs; booths and chairs. I believe the tables can be moved around as well if you come in with a larger group. At every table you’ll find ketchup, napkins, and (I think) salt and pepper.
One thing that we always forget before going, and I feel super terrible about, is that there are busboys that clean the tables after you leave. When you’re finished your meal you just leave the plates and such there and they clean up. We always forget to have cash on hand for them so definitely be prepared for that if you like tipping.
This location (San Mateo) as well as the Sunnyvale location are both very nice. I’ve never been disappointed. I totally recommend going to either location and giving them a try.

Its been a while since we went to Armadillo Willys. Most of the time we come here, the bbq is inconsistent on the smoking some days its tender and juicy, some days its dry that you have to eat it in the rain.
The only thing that is the same are the sides. Love their corn bread, potato salad, and Texas toast.

I was Armadillo Willy’s biggest fan! I been eating here at least once a week for the past 5 years. Therefore, no one is more disappointed than I to see how much their quality AND quantity have gone down. Not only food but also the service has been dismal.
Although I’ve seen the portions decrease over the years, last time was the worst! Even more appalling was when I talk to the manager about the portion of of the items being ridiculously small, he only looked at me with a smirk and said, «Yeah, we decreased the portions.» Then, without so much as an apology, he literally walked off! Gone are the days when the restaurant manager used to make the rounds to make sure that customers were doing alright, the manager we talk couldn’t care less!
So sad; AW has become just another fast food restaurant!

Working nearby, I’ve eaten at this place for lunch many times but not for a few years. When an old co-​worker was in the area, we decided to pay Armadillo Willy’s a visit for old time’s sake. I got the brisket sandwich and an order of tater tots. I love the fact that they have tater tots!
They were pretty quick on getting my order out, which is nice at lunchtime, but I was definitely surprised at the size of the sandwich, and not in a good way. The sandwich seemed really small for the price to me, I could have sworn that it used to be bigger. The brisket was tasty and juicy, but a part of me couldn’t get over the fact of how small it was. I definitely didn’t think it was worth the value. The tots, on the other hand, didn’t disappoint. Crispy outside and fluffy inside… and a huge portion! Couldn’t even finish them!
Not a bad place for a quick lunch and pretty solid food, but no 4 star review because I really didn’t feel like my sandwich was worth what I paid for it.

This place is good I always get the small plate, I expect more tho on the quantity of food even tho what they give me is filling. I like to get what I pay for. The babyback ribs are good, very tender. Love their saauces!
Ordered the prime brisket today (most lean). felt like I didn’t have enough on my plate for $ 9. Other than the small portion of meat, it was good, had it with the corn salad on the side. THE corn salad was yummski. The sweet potatoes fries are very good too.

The food used to be better. The quality and portions have been gradually going down. I have been coming here for years. On my most recent visit, the mini plate of baby back ribs was disappointing. The portion was really small but what really got me was that there wasn’t very much meat on the ribs and it was overcooked and so dried out that part of it was hard as a rock. My daughter had the chicken tenders and said that they tasted like processed chicken and were dry and tasteless. I would gladly pay the prices and even more if the restaurant maintained its quality of meats and portions. The sides at this point are your best bet. Decent cole slaw, beans and corn muffins.

Half slab of ribs and one side $ 18.95
Rack of ribs must’ve been from a baby piglet as the «half of slab «was only 4 small ribs! Less the side, that’s approximately 4 bucks per tiny rib, yikes, no bbq is worth that! Went away hungry, won’t be returning.
Wish there was a Famous Dave’s closer to home!

I’ve never been here before! My nephew suggested this place!
I got the Texas Mini Plate Rib $ 10.99 w/​a side of potato salad perfect portion that had me full.
Both my nephews got the Bacon Cheeseburger they loved it! Well done.
My Mother and Girlfriend got the Thursday Special Baked Potato, wow it was delicious.
A big baked potato w/​sour cream, green onion, and the choice of your meat!
I will definitely come back to try other plates, if I’m in the area.

Pretty good bbq. Their bbq sauce is pretty good.
Me and my mom always eat here for lunch whenever we get done shopping at Bridgepointe.
Why 4 stars and not 5.
Although the bbq is good I feel there is something lacking. Some wow factor. But overall it’s a good place to have bbq for lunch

This place has been on my bookmark for a while but never attempted until my friends invited us here. It was mothers day and we were hungry for bbq! So came here got 3 table right away. Parking was not a problem. And food was delish!!! I would come back here again and again!!!
We got the family belly something for &65 and it was plenty for family of 5.

Not the first time I have gone to this Armadillo Willy’s but probably one of the last times I will ever go.
Me and my sister went here on her 1 hour lunch break. The ordering system was quick and it was not completely packed (maybe 75% full). We were seated and got our food in just a few short minutes.
Now here is where things get irritating. We paid 9 dollars and got the smallest serving of food I have ever received from a restaurant for 9 dollars. I get more food for $ 5 at McDonald’s. The only thing that stopped me from confronting the manager right that moment was our lunch time limit.
I’m adding a picture of the saddest little meal I have ever seen.
One thing is for sure — I am not going back to waste anymore money at Armadillo Willy’s.