I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill

I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill is an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant located at 414 W 4th St in the Historic Downtown district of Santa Ana, California. Part of a popular Orange County dining group with sibling outposts in Irvine and Tustin, the Santa Ana location occupies a spacious, brick-clad storefront near the West End theater and arts corridor. The restaurant draws local groups, families, and late-night diners for its built-in tabletop gas grills, generous banchan spreads, and tiered all-you-can-eat menus that include USDA Choice beef, marinated pork, poultry, seafood, and certified halal meat selections.

What to Expect at I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill

Dining at I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill centers on interactive, communal cooking at the table. Guests choose from structured all-you-can-eat (AYCE) pricing tiers that unlock progressively higher-grade cuts of meat and seafood. Once seated at a booth or long group table fitted with a smokeless downdraft grill, servers bring out an array of traditional Korean side dishes (banchan), crisp salad, steamed rice, and dipping sauces including sesame oil with salt and pepper, sweet brisket sauce, and fermented soybean paste (ssamjang). Diners sear their own selections in sequential rounds, with staff frequently swapping out charred grill plates to keep flavors clean between marinated and unmarinated cuts.

The interior pairs exposed brick walls and industrial ductwork with warm overhead lighting and sleek dark booths designed for four to eight guests, alongside an outdoor patio equipped with grilling tables. A major distinguishing feature of the restaurant in Orange County is its dedicated selection of halal-certified beef, lamb, and chicken options prepared carefully to avoid cross-contamination, welcoming a broad spectrum of diners across Southern California. Beyond grilled proteins, the kitchen prepares hot comfort sides such as steamed egg (gyeranjjim), corn cheese, kimchi stew, and crispy dumplings, complemented by Korean soju, draft beer, and soft drinks.

• Signature Beef Cuts: Thinly sliced beef brisket (chadolbagi), house-marinated bulgogi, garlic angus chuck steak, and bone-in LA galbi (short ribs) caramelized over high heat.
• Pork Belly & Marinated Pork: Thick-cut unmarinated samgyeopsal (pork belly), spicy gochujang pork belly, and tender soy-garlic pork shoulder seared until crisp at the edges.
• Certified Halal Meat Selection: Specifically sourced halal beef bulgogi, brisket, lamb, and marinated chicken options that allow halal-observant guests to enjoy a full Korean BBQ meal.
• Traditional Banchan & Hot Sides: Unlimited refills of house-fermented napa cabbage kimchi, pickled radish wraps, fish cakes, broccoli, jalapeño slices, creamy baked corn cheese, and savory steamed egg.
• Indoor & Patio Grilling Stations: Both the brick-walled main dining room and the covered outdoor seating area feature tables with integrated smokeless vents and individual flame controls.

I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

To avoid weekend evening waits, arrive for a weekday lunch between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM or an early dinner before 6:00 PM. Like most all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue venues, the entire table must select the same menu tier, and a standard 90-to-120-minute dining limit applies during peak hours alongside a surcharge for excessive uneaten food left on the grill. Drivers will find convenient public parking one block south at the 3rd & Birch Street Parking Structure or two blocks east near 4th & Sycamore, in addition to metered street spaces along West 4th Street. Visitors using public transit can ride OCTA bus lines serving Downtown Santa Ana or transfer from the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner) roughly 1.2 miles east.

The restaurant features a step-free ground-level street entrance off West 4th Street, wide interior aisles suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, accessible restrooms, and ground-level outdoor patio tables. Before or after your meal, walk three minutes east along Calle Cuatro to explore the historic 4th Street Market food hall, catch an independent screening at The Frida Cinema on East 4th Street, or browse contemporary exhibits at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center and the Old Orange County Courthouse five minutes north on Broadway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours and best times to visit I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill?

I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill in Santa Ana is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until midnight. Visiting on weekday afternoons or before 6:00 PM on weekends ensures the shortest wait times for a grill table.

How does pricing work at I Can Barbecue- Korean Grill?

The restaurant operates on a tiered all-you-can-eat pricing model ($$–$$$), generally ranging from around $30 to $50+ per person depending on whether you select the base menu or upgrade to premium cuts like LA galbi, ribeye, and seafood. Everyone seated at the same table is required to order from the same price tier, and discounted rates apply for young children based on height or age.

Does I Can Barbecue in Santa Ana serve halal meat?

Yes, the Santa Ana location is well known for offering certified halal beef, lamb, and chicken options as part of its tabletop grilling menu. Guests seeking halal meats should inform their server upon arrival so the staff can bring the designated halal menu items and ensure fresh grill plates and utensils.

How much time should I budget and is the restaurant accessible?

Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours cooking multiple rounds of meat and enjoying side dishes with your group. The venue has a flat, step-free entrance from the 4th Street sidewalk, accessible restroom facilities, and movable chairs at select indoor and outdoor grilling tables to accommodate wheelchair users.

When planning your Santa Ana travel guide or browsing verified hotels in Santa Ana, pair this stop with standout local spots including Courtyard Costa Mesa South Coast Metro, Perla Mexican Cuisine, Tustin Area Historical Society, and El Indio Botanas y Cerveza (0.1 km away).