Santa Rosa’s Newest Barbecue Restaurant Is a Smoked Meat Moment

New War Pigs kitchen serves up barbecue goodness daily in Santa Rosa.


“Life’s too short to eat sh—y barbecue” is the saucy motto for pitmaster Larry Hillix’s roving barbecue catering company War Pigs. It’s a worthy mantra for his new War Pigs Craft Kitchen in Santa Rosa.

The 12-hour smoked barbecue pulled pork sandwich on toasted brioche ($15) is a serious contender for my new favorite sandwich. It’s a stunner with piles of crispy pork bark and velvety shreds of meat topped with tangy red sauce. Order some mouth-puckering mustard sauce and spicy horseradish for dipping into any straggling bites of meat that fall onto your tray.

dirty fries from War Pigs, Santa Rosa barbecue restaurant
Dirty Fries at War Pigs Craft Kitchen, a barbecue restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

Or skip the bun for the all-encompassing Dirty Fries ($16), a jumble of skinny French fries plunged into a warm bath of cheese, barbecue sauce, pulled pork and coleslaw. Fried Brussels ($5) are a petite but satisfying side tossed with Balsamic vinegar for a hint of sweet, salty shaved Parmesan and bacon atop the crispy leaves. I’m also a fan of the creamy slaw.

It will take a few more trips to taste through the rest of the menu, featuring smoked chicken wings, griddled pork tacos, sliders, onion rings, fried chicken, a smoked turkey club and house-ground burger. Excellent prices for massive portions make it an even better deal.

War Pigs Craft Kitchen is inside The Clubhouse Bar & Grill run by the former owners of Whiskey Tip bar. It replaces Westside Grill, closed in 2020. War Pigs Craft Kitchen is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

3082 Marlow Road, Santa Rosa, 707-508-5551, bbqhustlers.com