Lil Ronnies Beachside BBQ

THE BEST BBQ IN CANADA

@lilronniesbbq_tofino is smoking up the best briskets that we've tried in Canada.

We first discovered this hidden gem during our trip to Tofino Last year. And have been craving for their brisket again ever since. With live music and long wooden picnic tables, you feel like you're a part of a giant dinner party; this rustic, patio only spot in Tofino can't be missed.

You can either pick up your BBQ from a takeout window, or grab a table and enjoy your feast on the biggest patio in town. This spot is also perfect if you're travelling in a big group, because the long tables and platters are perfect for sharing.

We always order a few pounds of Brisket, BBQ Ribs, Smoked Chicken, and tons of sides. Their wings are also a surprise hit, and the Mac & Cheese is always a must.

Don't forget to save this video for your next Tofino trip！

9/10
‍10/10
$$ (approx. $25-$50/person)
Lil' Ronnie's Beachside BBQ | 1101 BC-4, Tofino, BC

What to eat in Tofino / where to eat in Tofino / Vancouver island food / Tofino food / Tofino eats / Tofino restaurants

Highly recommend! The brisket was mouth watering. So tender and flavourful. The patio deck was so chill. Great vibe and live music too. Can't wait to go back

Delicious, fast and really cool vibe. Took us a while to find this place because the signage is not clear. Ended up getting lost in the windy roads of the resort next door. Couldn't find our way out and we were so hungry. Once we found it the parking was easy on a dirt lot. The restaurant was on an outdoor patio deck. Very cool vibe but not sure what they do when it rains as I didn't see an indoor option.
Food: excellent brisket! Wow that was good and we were hesitant about taking a chance on Canadian bbq. Glad we did. Well done, Ronnie!

Good BBQ, great sides, great live music atmosphere (Daniel Wesley tonight). Perfect weather made the great food and entertainment an enjoyable experience. Will return.

Great service and a really fun atmosphere. They don't have many vegan options, but we had the Mac & cheez and it was delicious ! The coleslaw is also vegan and it's great too. Definitely worth a visit while in Tofino

I was really looking forward to the brisket. while I waited for my order, I ordered a Caesar, the pickle juice and smoky flavour just wasn't for me, took one sip and left it. I was not offered another choice, but I did leave a $3 tip just on a drink. I got my order and was so excited and after I started eating, boy was I disappointed! I know brisket should have marbelling, but two of the three pieces were solid fat the little me that there was was so dry!!! I couldn't even eat it. I ordered coleslaw and potato salad the coleslaw had way too much acid and I'm guessing that was vinegar and the potato salad was so boring. I gave my dog a few of the scraps for through everything else out. The atmosphere to the place is great. You can even bring your dog ...but I would not eat there again and I would not recommend it if you know about tender meat and good quality. I know a lot about brisket including if it's dry, it's overcooked and you should have marbled meat, but it should not be overpowering full of fat. so about 70 or so dollars later I'm still hungry and I'm so disappointed!! Owner, add some salt and egg and do better on your potato salad lessen the acid flavour in your coleslaw. Trim your brisket, 2/4 inch or ensure that it's nicely marbleised not pure fat when somebody is over cooking the brisket or I got me that wadd some salt and egg and do better on your potato salad lessen the acid flavour in your coleslaw. Trim your brisket to 1/4 inch or ensure that it's nicely marbleised not pure fat and somebody is over cooking the brisket or I got meat that was laying around too long.

This spot is a little tough to find but definitely a hidden gem in Tofino. We were staying at the hotel next door and ended up on a little trail that led us directly to the bbq!

A small space which holds 20-30 people and run by 2 gentlemen with a genuine love for great bbq. We were recommended to try the share platter which could have easily fed 3-4 people. Not bad for $50!

For the platter you get a random selection of 3 meats and we ended up with brisket, pulled pork and beef sausages (which are apparently made from the odds and ends of the bbq brisket). You also get 3 random sides also.

Loved the brisket - very tender and juicy and nicely seasoned with the bourbon based bbq sauce, grainy mustard and caramelized onion. The pulled pork was decent also. I personally did not like the beef sausages (too dense in texture for my liking?) but it is a matter of personal preference. Would have loved to try the chicken instead.

The sides were potato salad, beans and coleslaw. They were all okay but I think the coleslaw could have used some additional acid to cut down on the richness of the meats for a nice refreshing crunch.

Overall a great meal - i think the sides could use some jazzing up but the bbq was good overall. Just a note that there is a charge for takeout boxes if you don't finish your meal at a buck a pop - so if you want to bring something home might be a good idea to bring your own container. Good spot for a quick bite if you are up for some meaty goodness.

Service was a little slow even though there were only 4 patrons in total but understandable as they did everything from the bbqing, smoking, serving, and bartending. Might be a longer wait if it was a busy night but hey you're in Tofino so have to adjust to a slower pace of life in general and take it easy.

I was hesitant to eat here at first because of it's odd location but as we were staying in a cabin nearby I went over to have a look. First good sign, as I got close the smell of good bbq was wafting out of the smoker. Entering I saw a nice funky space that a good bbq place should have. So looking at the menu everything looks good so we select a three protein combo, brisket, pulled pork, and jerk chicken, and three sides, cowboy beans, potato salad and cole slaw. The brisket was top notch, super melt in your mouth tender, pulled pork was excellent and the chicken was spot on as well. The cowboy beans are a must, potato salad was somewhat better than average, and I would pass on the cole slaw, over processed and not very flavorful.
Bottom line- great bbq, fun space, and great folks working there.

This BBQ joint is difficult to find. From the Pacific Rim Highway, turn left onto Mackenzie Beach Road and the Mackenzie Beach Resort is on your left. Take a sharp right and there's a one way driveway and this BBQ joint is right there, welcoming you with the sweet, smell, heavenly smell of BBQ meat cooking on the wood fire.

The service here is so friendly. The guy taking our order looked so sharp and hipster with perfectly slicked back hair, glasses and a Hawaiian shirt. Loved his style.

We got the heart attack mac (mac and cheese with pulled pork, sour cream drizzle or something on it, crumbled doritos on top) and it was delicious. I wasn't expecting green onions and will ask for them to not put those on next time.

The brisket sammie was good but I didn't like the bun they used. The meat itself was so delicious and just fall apart tender.

Their pit beans were OUT OF THIS WORLD. We got a small because we only wanted a small snack before dinner but OMG if I had known how delicious they'd be, I'd ask for a large and then also get a large to go - they are JUST THAT GOOD. I could put eggs on those beans, or just eat them by itself...so good.

Honestly some of the best bbq I've ever had.

Note: no beverages outside on the picnic tables on the lawn. You can only drink it inside and in the side seating by the smoker.

Excellent place for BBQ and waitress was awesome. Although they close early which is inconvenient.