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A photo of meat and sides.
Barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs.
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

Where to Eat Barbecue in San Diego Right Now

Chow down on pulled pork, tender brisket, and more

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Barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs.
| Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

San Diego might not be known as a barbecue hot spot but there’s still a strong and growing contingent of smoked meat pros specializing in various styles of American barbecue, turning out their own interpretations on pulled pork, brisket, beef ribs, and chicken. Read below for top options around town where the smoker is always on.

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Abbey's Real Texas BBQ

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This Miramar restaurant has become a hub where local business workers go for their barbecue fix, meaning it can get pretty busy during the noon hour. Lunch specials ring in under the $10 zone and include your choice of sandwiches loaded with beef brisket, pork shoulder, ham, chicken or kielbasa.

A tight photo of a plate of meat.
Combo plate at Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ.
Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ

Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

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The East County outpost of this well-admired barbecue spot is a sprawling campus for dining as well as entertainment. Serving mostly Texas-style smoked meat, the restaurant recently opened a station inside Petco Park.

A photo of meat and sides.
Barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs.
Grand Ole BBQ

Buckboard's BBQ & Brew

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A popular catering company since 1999, this is Buckboard’s brick-and-mortar and a popular joint for ribs. Don’t miss out on sides like hush puppies with smoked jalapeño cream cheese, mac ‘n cheese balls with pasilla chile dipping sauce and a corn muffin with maple butter.

The Pioneer

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The sides at this La Mesa restaurant are just as important as the barbecue. Find beans with smoked bacon and pork belly, and crunchy, addicting onion rings. Feed the whole gang by ordering family meals with a selection of meats and sides to satisfy everyone.

Smokey and The Brisket BBQ

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Getting good marks in La Mesa, this spot smokes meat ‘round the clock, offering prime brisket, giant beef ribs, and smoked chicken a la carte along with sandwiches and barbecue-topped flatbreads.

An exterior photo of Smokey and the Brisket.
Smokey and the Brisket in La Mesa.
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Corbin's Q

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Barbecue and craft beers make a tasty pairing at this El Cajon destination. The speciality is California-style barbecue tri-trip, smoked over red oak. Order the tri-tip in sandwiches and atop salads but don’t sleep on the smoked wings.

BBQ House Bar & Grill

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Open since 1991, the restaurant features a menu item that you can’t find anywhere else: a barbecue burrito. There are different versions: one lets you choose your own meat, one is made with rib tips, and the third is a riff on a Sloppy Joe with chopped up burnt ends. All come wrapped in a large flour tortilla with coleslaw and beans.

A tight photo of meat and fries.
Ribs and fries from BBQ House Bar & Grill.
BBQ House Bar & Grill

Grand Ole BBQ Y Asado

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This North Park meat dealer is not just a second location to the Flinn Springs barbecue phenom — take the smoked Kentucky lamb, for instance, the $12 sandwich available only at this outpost. A few items are cheaper, too, like the St. Louis ribs which go for $19 a pound rather than $25.

Cali BBQ

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Spring Valley’s popular choice for barbecue, which also has locations on El Cajon Boulevard and in Barrio Logan, offers a menu loaded with specialties like ribs, tri-tip, rib tips, chicken, pulled pork. Feeding a big crowd? Consider the Tailgater BBQ Feast packed with enough meats to feed four to five guests plus mac ‘n’ cheese, beans, slaw, potato salad and cornbread.

A photo of food on a board.
A series of sides and entrees from Cali Comfort BBQ.
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Coops West Texas BBQ

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Still going strong after almost a decade, pitmaster Bradley “Coop” Cooper is the definition of a pro when it comes to smoking meats, specifically his ribs and brisket. Craving fried chicken with your barbecue? Also check out Da Chicken Coop, his adjacent fried chicken shack.

Meat in an oven.
Grilling meat at Lone Star Style: Coop’s West Texas BBQ.
Lone Star Style: Coop’s West Texas BBQ

El Barbecue

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Bringing barbecue to Sherman Heights, this industry-friendly spot offers an eclectic menu that ranges from classics like beef back ribs and pulled pork to Scottish salmon served with charred lemon aioli.

Bowlegged B.B.Q

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This longtime spot on Mount Hope focuses on East Texas-style barbecue. Owned and operated by the Stance family, the menu incorporates family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Head in and dig into ribs, tri-tip and brisket. Save room for dessert like the lemon cake.

A photo of a meat sandwich with a knife next to it.
A barbecue sandwich from Bowlegged B.B.Q.
Bowlegged B.B.Q

Lil Alex B.B.Q.

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Lil Alex BBQ is a community favorite in Bonita for its ribs (beef or pork), chicken and wings. Satisfy your meat cravings by ordering the mesquite-grilled steak. Built as a feast for two, it includes two small sides or one large side.

A photo of fries and meat.
Tri tip plate with fries from Lil Alex B.B.Q.
Lil Alex B.B.Q.

Little Thief

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Papalito, the in-house food offerings focused on Sonoran-style barbecue, is nuzzled deliciously inside of this North Park wine bar. The smoked baby back ribs, $16 for two pieces soaked in booze and cherry sauce, comes draped in pecans with cornbread on the side.

A photo of ribs.
Baby back ribs at Papalito.
Andrew K. Brent | Papalito

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Abbey's Real Texas BBQ

This Miramar restaurant has become a hub where local business workers go for their barbecue fix, meaning it can get pretty busy during the noon hour. Lunch specials ring in under the $10 zone and include your choice of sandwiches loaded with beef brisket, pork shoulder, ham, chicken or kielbasa.

A tight photo of a plate of meat.
Combo plate at Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ.
Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ

Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

The East County outpost of this well-admired barbecue spot is a sprawling campus for dining as well as entertainment. Serving mostly Texas-style smoked meat, the restaurant recently opened a station inside Petco Park.

A photo of meat and sides.
Barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs.
Grand Ole BBQ

Buckboard's BBQ & Brew

A popular catering company since 1999, this is Buckboard’s brick-and-mortar and a popular joint for ribs. Don’t miss out on sides like hush puppies with smoked jalapeño cream cheese, mac ‘n cheese balls with pasilla chile dipping sauce and a corn muffin with maple butter.

The Pioneer

The sides at this La Mesa restaurant are just as important as the barbecue. Find beans with smoked bacon and pork belly, and crunchy, addicting onion rings. Feed the whole gang by ordering family meals with a selection of meats and sides to satisfy everyone.

Smokey and The Brisket BBQ

Getting good marks in La Mesa, this spot smokes meat ‘round the clock, offering prime brisket, giant beef ribs, and smoked chicken a la carte along with sandwiches and barbecue-topped flatbreads.

An exterior photo of Smokey and the Brisket.
Smokey and the Brisket in La Mesa.
Courtesy photo

Corbin's Q

Barbecue and craft beers make a tasty pairing at this El Cajon destination. The speciality is California-style barbecue tri-trip, smoked over red oak. Order the tri-tip in sandwiches and atop salads but don’t sleep on the smoked wings.

BBQ House Bar & Grill

Open since 1991, the restaurant features a menu item that you can’t find anywhere else: a barbecue burrito. There are different versions: one lets you choose your own meat, one is made with rib tips, and the third is a riff on a Sloppy Joe with chopped up burnt ends. All come wrapped in a large flour tortilla with coleslaw and beans.

A tight photo of meat and fries.
Ribs and fries from BBQ House Bar & Grill.
BBQ House Bar & Grill

Grand Ole BBQ Y Asado

This North Park meat dealer is not just a second location to the Flinn Springs barbecue phenom — take the smoked Kentucky lamb, for instance, the $12 sandwich available only at this outpost. A few items are cheaper, too, like the St. Louis ribs which go for $19 a pound rather than $25.

Cali BBQ

Spring Valley’s popular choice for barbecue, which also has locations on El Cajon Boulevard and in Barrio Logan, offers a menu loaded with specialties like ribs, tri-tip, rib tips, chicken, pulled pork. Feeding a big crowd? Consider the Tailgater BBQ Feast packed with enough meats to feed four to five guests plus mac ‘n’ cheese, beans, slaw, potato salad and cornbread.

A photo of food on a board.
A series of sides and entrees from Cali Comfort BBQ.
Google Images

Coops West Texas BBQ

Still going strong after almost a decade, pitmaster Bradley “Coop” Cooper is the definition of a pro when it comes to smoking meats, specifically his ribs and brisket. Craving fried chicken with your barbecue? Also check out Da Chicken Coop, his adjacent fried chicken shack.

Meat in an oven.
Grilling meat at Lone Star Style: Coop’s West Texas BBQ.
Lone Star Style: Coop’s West Texas BBQ

El Barbecue

Bringing barbecue to Sherman Heights, this industry-friendly spot offers an eclectic menu that ranges from classics like beef back ribs and pulled pork to Scottish salmon served with charred lemon aioli.

Bowlegged B.B.Q

This longtime spot on Mount Hope focuses on East Texas-style barbecue. Owned and operated by the Stance family, the menu incorporates family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Head in and dig into ribs, tri-tip and brisket. Save room for dessert like the lemon cake.

A photo of a meat sandwich with a knife next to it.
A barbecue sandwich from Bowlegged B.B.Q.
Bowlegged B.B.Q

Lil Alex B.B.Q.

Lil Alex BBQ is a community favorite in Bonita for its ribs (beef or pork), chicken and wings. Satisfy your meat cravings by ordering the mesquite-grilled steak. Built as a feast for two, it includes two small sides or one large side.

A photo of fries and meat.
Tri tip plate with fries from Lil Alex B.B.Q.
Lil Alex B.B.Q.

Little Thief

Papalito, the in-house food offerings focused on Sonoran-style barbecue, is nuzzled deliciously inside of this North Park wine bar. The smoked baby back ribs, $16 for two pieces soaked in booze and cherry sauce, comes draped in pecans with cornbread on the side.

A photo of ribs.
Baby back ribs at Papalito.
Andrew K. Brent | Papalito

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