Greer's OC

Kansas City-style barbecue just arrived in OC as Ember BBQ opens today in Santa Ana at Native Son Alehouse. Kansas City native chef/owner Derrick is bringing his hometown style of cooking to downtown Santa Ana where Ember BBQ will serve food within Native Son Alehouse. Located one block from 4^th Street Market, Ember BBQ will serve a limited “Snack Menu” on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a full “Smokehouse Menu” Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

With an on-site smoker, Chef Derrick stays true to Kansas City-style barbecue tradition and history by featuring a variety of meats rubbed with a blend of spices and slow-smoked over hickory wood.

His “Smokehouse Menu” features sliced-to-order 1855 Certified Angus Beef Brisket from Colorado, St. Louis Ribs, Smoked Chicken, and Pulled Pork. He showcases creativity in dishes such as Hogchos, his take on traditional nachos, using chicharron in place of tortilla chips, topped with pulled pork, smoked cheese sauce, pork jerky, pickled onion, sour cream, jalapenos and his housemade BBQ sauce. Traditional sides are made with the utmost attention, including his Rancho Gordo BBQ Beans, which are peppered with brisket burnt ends; Cheesy Corn, which features a Mornay sauce and fresh-off-the-cobb corn; and made-from-scratch traditional banana pudding.

Kansas City-style barbecue refers to the specific regional style of slowly smoked meats that originated in the early 1900s in Kansas City, Missouri. Chef Derrick’s menu showcases a wide variety of meats, from pork and sausage to chicken and beef, including Burnt Ends, which are distinctive to Kansas City.

Ember BBQ at Native Son Alehouse is at 305 E. 4th St. #200, Santa Ana.