The legendary Everett and Jones Barbeque celebrates its 53rd anniversary in 2026.
In 1973, Dorothy, now a divorced mother raising eight daughters and one son, opened her first restaurant in Oakland out of a sense of need. With $700 that she had saved, a sign bought by Cora “THE ANGEL,” her best friend, fifty dollars to make a till (also from Cora), and a week’s line of credit from Harry Mock of Fair Deal Market, Dorothy went into the barbeque business heavily dependent upon the Lord. An old building on the corner of 92nd Avenue and East 14th Street in Oakland, in much need of repair and next door to the East Bay Dragons motorcycle club, was rented, and the whole family joined in the repairs.
The Everetts decided to name the new restaurant Everett and Jones Barbeque; Annie was the only daughter married at the time, to James Jones, a later partner in the business, continuing a tradition of keeping it all in the family that continues today. With little advertising money, the family relied on word of mouth for customers. The family gave free samples to local bars and businesses. Slowly, the business began to grow. The long hours and low pay (sometimes no pay) began to pay off. In 1974 the family opened their second restaurant at 1955 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, California, and in 1975, the family opened their third restaurant at 2676 Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland. In 1977 a fourth restaurant was opened in San Francisco on Third Street.
While celebrating the third anniversary of their first restaurant, a tragedy struck. The unattended wood-burning pit caught fire and burned the restaurant beyond repair. Standing in front of the burning building, still in their party dresses, the family hugged each other and cried. A year later, the family opened a new restaurant one block away from the original at 9101 East 14th Street, Oakland.
In May 1979, the first of many critical acclaim honors were bestowed on the family by local and national newspapers, magazines, and food critics. A 1979 cover story on barbecue in New West magazine, written by noted food and travel author Charlie Haas, proclaimed Everett and Jones Barbeque the best barbeque in California. He said, “When I die if I have been very good, I will be consigned for eternity to a branch of Everett & Jones Barbeque. This demi-chain sets the standard against which other East Bay ‘que must be judged against which all other ‘que must be judged. The rib-and-link combo, a good-sized meal, costs $4.79. These may be the six least elaborately appointed restaurants of any kind in California. They are also six of the best.”
A new chapter in the continuing Everett and Jones Barbeque story began in 1983 when the family bottled its “Everett and Jones Super Q” barbecue sauce; the sauce was sold in 12-ounce and half-gallon sizes in Safeway, Lucky’s, Price Club, Macy’s and other food outlets throughout Northern California.
Today, Dorothy's grandchildren are moving into leadership positions to see the business in the future. The stage had been set for five decades of growth and prosperity. Dorothy Turner Everett's vision and hard work had given her the means to provide for her growing family. Dorothy's legacy and dream will live on thanks to her family and you: the best customers ever!
"I thought that I would never earn more than $2 an hour. With nine children, I always believed God would make a way for us. I wanted to build something that my children could fall back on. He answered my prayers." - Dorothy Turner-Everett
