Welcome to Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q
At Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q, nestled in El Dorado, California, we celebrating the essence of barbecue culture and community. This beloved local gem has transformed over the years, offering a casual and inviting atmosphere. Renowned for its tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs and flavorful garlic fries, Poor Red’s ensures each dish bursts with mouthwatering goodness. The menu caters to diverse tastes, with vegan options alongside classic barbecue delights. Guests rave about the fantastic drinks and attentive service, making it an ideal spot for families and groups alike. Whether you're stopping by for lunch or dinner, Poor Red’s embodies comfort and flavor in every bite.
- 6221 Pleasant Valley Rd El Dorado, CA 95623 United States Hotline: (530) 622-2901
Welcome to Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of El Dorado, California. Located at 6221 Pleasant Valley Rd, this casual steakhouse and cocktail bar has captured the hearts of locals and travelers alike. With its inviting outdoor seating, vibrant atmosphere, and an eclectic menu that caters to diverse tastes, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to savor delicious BBQ and hearty American classics.
Poor Red's is not just a restaurant; it's an experience. The moment you step through the doors, you're greeted by the tantalizing aromas of smoked meats and savory sides that invite you to indulge. Customers rave about the BBQ ribs, noted for their tender and smoky perfection, which often "fall off the bone." Compliments to the chefs shine through in the chicken barbacoa fry basket — a delightful combination of crunchy waffle fries and spiced chicken topped with sour cream, promising dynamic flavors in each bite.
The versatility of the menu is a highlight, featuring appealing options for both meat lovers and those seeking lighter fare. While vegan options are readily available, vegetarian choices remain limited. Many diners appreciate the vast range of appetizers, including crowd favorites like potato skins and buffalo fries. And yes, although the garlic fries have mysteriously vanished, there are still plenty of delicious alternatives to choose from.
Beyond the food, the drinks at Poor Red's deserve a mention. Renowned for their signature Golden Cadillacs, the bar provides a robust selection of cocktails and keeps the vibes high with regular happy hour specials. The full bar experience guarantees a pour that complements any meal perfectly. And if you’re in the mood for some entertainment, you can enjoy friendly conversations next to a pool table or catch your favorite game on the TV.
Apart from its delectable offerings, Poor Red's boasts practicality. The venue is wheelchair accessible, welcoming families and groups, and even your furry friends, as dogs are allowed on the patio. Friendly and attentive staff ensure that your visit is smooth and enjoyable, although some customers have noted that service can occasionally be slow during peak hours. Nevertheless, the overall experience still remains warm and welcoming, creating a space you want to return to over and over again.
If you're planning a visit, keep an eye on the best nights to experience Poor Red's at its liveliest: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Whether you're stopping by for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack, you're guaranteed to leave with a full belly and a smile.
For any BBQ enthusiast or casual diner, Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q embodies everything delightful about American comfort food. With its charming atmosphere and a menu full of flavor, it’s worth the trip to discover this rustic treasure on your next outing!

What an amazing local gem! I tried the garlic fries and they were delicious! The BBQ ribs are phenomenal, effortlessly falling off the bone. For dessert, I had a cinnamon roll that, while not traditional, was still incredibly tasty. I will definitely be returning.

We live locally and pass Poor Reds often. We ate here a few times a couple years ago and weren't impressed. A few members of our car club decided to do an early lunch here this weekend. My husband and i were very skeptical.. well, we were pleasantly surprised! I had the wedge chopped salad and it was delish! My husband has the burger which he loved! Our group got the potato skins and buffalo fries, all delicious! The only disappointment was they no longer have garlic fries. We will definitely be back!

Really like this place. You need to go looking to find it, but it is worth it. A true local's place with good but not great food. Fantastic drinks. And some of the best service to be found in the area. Most of the menu is very solid, but stay away from the supposed smoked meats as none of them are smoked. This sort of place is either your thing or it is not. It is mine...

We came on Sunday evening around 4:30pm. The restaurant was very crowded with loud music at the outdoor seating area. So, we went inside to be seated. We ordered right after seated but the service was disappointing. It took so long to get our food. We ordered an appetizer & an entree to share but both dishes came out at the same time after asking 2 different servers since we've been waiting so long. When our food came, the appetizer was cold. However, the food tasted delicious: well seasoned & perfectly cooked. - Chicken barbacoa fry basket: delicious (despite was delivered cold when we got it). The waffle fries were crunchy and well seasoned, The combination of spices and sour cream on the shredded chicken were amazing! They put generous amount of chicken. - Poor red's St. Louis ribs: the sauce was AMAZING! Tangy and sweet. The ribs were smokey, perfectly cooked and tender. The fries were still hot and crispy & well seasoned.

Great salon in the Area. Best Golden Cadillacs anywhere, they were the original makers of the awesome drink.

I haven't been to Poor Reds in probably 15 years. They have improved a lot, but kept the original setting. Ordered BBQ pulled pork, shrimp lettuce wraps and BBQ chicken sandwich. Plus drinks. Server was great. Prices decent. Food good. Drinks very good. Worth a stop!!

This place was recommended to us to stop at on our way to Tahoe. The outdoor patio is very inviting and cute. We didn't see the inside since we sat outside. The service was pleasant and friendly. The food was good. We had the cajun chicken sandwich with fries and the full rack of ribs with Mac n cheese. The rack of ribs is a large portion for the $$. They were fall off the bone and good. Just a little too much bbq sauce for my liking. Mac was delicious and the sandwiched was just ok. The sandwich was room temperature and the fries were cold. We tried the gold Cadillac drink was awful. We took one drink and left it behind. When the server asked if we like it we said no. She said "it's a drink you either love or hate." Nothing over the top and probably won't go back. It was fun to stop in and give it a try.

This would be one of my absolute favorite rural restaurants in California. The restaurant was clean and very inviting. The menu options are an excellent value for California standards from what I could see. The BBQ was fantastic; I was delighted with my meal no matter what I ordered! The servers were courteous and always efficient, happy, and polite. The BBQ ribs that I ordered were hot and delicious. Came within 7 to 10 minutes, which was okay with arrival timing. I can't wait to return and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere to eat in rural California.