About the pit
A smokehouse on Mission Street
Baby Blues Mission Smokehouse opened in 2013 with one offset smoker and a simple idea: cook with real wood, and let the fire do the talking.
The short story
We are Baby Blues Mission Smokehouse LLC, a small barbecue restaurant and catering company at 3149 Mission St in Bernal North, San Francisco. We started in 2013 and have kept the recipe simple ever since: California white oak and almond, a patient offset pit, and good meat.
The name is a nod to the Delta blues, the music that grew up alongside Memphis and Carolina barbecue, and to the baby back ribs we are known for.
Otis “Blue” Vance, Executive Pitmaster
Otis runs the pit. He decides which wood goes in, when the brisket gets wrapped, and when it is ready to come off. He cooks by touch, smell, and probe, and he writes the pit notes you see throughout this site. His rule of thumb: if you are watching the clock more than the fire, you are not paying attention.
What we believe
- Real wood
- No gas shortcuts. Fire gives flavor that nothing else can.
- Patience
- Brisket takes as long as it takes. We plan the day around the meat, not the other way around.
- Plain talk
- We tell you what is on the plate, how it was cooked, and what we can and can’t do for your event.
- Sharing
- Barbecue is for groups. We cook for tables, families, and crowds.
Find us
3149 Mission St
Bernal North, San Francisco, CA 94110
Questions about the pit or the menu: [email protected]
Catering and events: [email protected]
New here? Start with the menu or plan a cook with our free calculator.