Gator’s Back Porch BBQ Restaurant Review, San Mateo

Gator’s Back Porch BBQ is a spin off of Dollie Marie’s restaurant and former Gator’s Neo Soul restaurant. Dollie Marie’s was their attempt at fine dining which is morphing into this BBQ. This place changed hands March. They serve lunch BBQ now but are slated March 1, to go full time BBQ Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. Gator’s Back Porch BBQ focuses on high quality BBQ meats and sides.

Decor, Vibe – They are located in a little house in the middle of a parking lot. Violet painted walls, old school photos and quilts, and elegant chairs. No one was dining inside, everyone was getting to go when we went.

Menu (Click to zoom into any picture)

Gator’s Back Porch BBQ Menu has five types of meats and 5 types of sides. You can order one, two, or three meats.

Picks:

3 Meat Meal ($14) Maple Smoked Beef Brisket, BBQ Pork Spare Ribs and 1/2 BBQ Smoked chicken. The two high quality ribs had tender meat falling off the bone. The brisket was also cooked to a super tender level and fairly smokey. No knife needed. The chicken were from the meatier areas, not dry, but not very tender.
The sauce was solid though they need to dish out more of it. Not too sweet or zest, slightly Memphis oriented sweet, but just right. Honey Cornbread was short and cake-like, yet on the sweet side and tasty.

Sides were Mac and Cheese, and Collard Greens. Mac & Cheese was excellent, rich, artery clogging, and cheesy. No fancy cheese flavors. The greens were also excellent. Full of classic flavors.

OK:
None

Pans:
None

Gator’s Back Porch BBQ took about five minutes to get us our to go order. Prices are typical for mid range BBQ and food was solid. This is one of the few good BBQ restaurants on the San Francisco Peninsula. Give it a try if you are a BBQ fan. Hopefully they will move to a more visible location someday. We would rate this ahead of Memphis Minnie’s in San Francisco. They do catering and sell their own BBQ Sauce.

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Gator's Back Porch BBQ Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Good)
Service Rating:	(Average)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Good)
Value Rating:	(Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Beer, Wine
Attire:	Casual
Hours:	Mon - Fri 11am - 2pm
Parking:	Free Lot
Reservations:	No
Prices:	$10 - $14