Outstanding customer service today from our server Victoria and manager Jason. From beginning to end we were greeted fast and friendly. Checked up on, food out very fast. Decor was chill and noise volume was low-medium. Overall 10/10. Food favs of today: brisket(one of the best I have had from a restaurant) it was tender, packed full of flavor and had the perfect balance of meat, fat, and rub. Cole slaw was great and I'm not a fan of Cole slaw usually! Rack of Ribs were good! Macaroni salad, potato salad were flavored well! Caesar salad was fresh and dressing tasty. My friend liked the jalapeño cornbread but it was too spicy for me. It had great flavor it's just personally my stomach would reject that spice. Next time I'll try the wedding beans and other food items. Bartender was friendly so I might come back just to hit up the bar area as well! It's a far drive of 20 mins for each of us but it's well worth it. read more

Cali BBQ - Brisket Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

I have been a VIP member for over 10 years and have celebrated Father's Day, birthdays, and many special occasions here throughout that time. Recently, I brought my father and my boyfriend for his first visit, expecting the same quality experience I had enjoyed for years. Unfortunately, this visit was extremely disappointing. The menu has been significantly reduced, offering only a limited selection of options, while prices have increased substantially. I ordered the half chicken with brisket as my additional side for $38. When my meal arrived, I received only two pieces of chicken and a single piece of brisket. Upon cutting into the chicken, I noticed blood on the plate and the meat appeared pink. As I am currently pregnant, I did not feel comfortable eating it and asked our server if the chicken could be cooked longer. Instead, the manager came to the table holding my plate and explained that the chicken had been checked with a thermometer and was safe to eat. When I expressed my concerns regarding my pregnancy, he rolled his eyes and told me to choose something else rather than offering to cook the chicken further. I then asked if I could receive additional brisket since I was no longer comfortable eating the chicken. The manager responded, "That will cost more," and walked away. When my replacement arrived, I was served only two very small pieces of brisket and was charged extra for them. I am genuinely shocked by the lack of professionalism and customer service from the management team. Combined with the increased prices and noticeably smaller portions, the overall value simply is not there anymore. For longtime loyal customers, this experience was especially disappointing. After sharing my experience with family and friends, several decided not to visit, and unfortunately, I will not be returning either. The quality, portion sizes, and customer service no longer justify the cost. If you are looking for both quality and value, I would recommend considering other options. read more

I would say 3.5 stars on a good day. Server had a mix-up so we had to wait a little longer to receive our order. Portions were also surprising and not in a good way for the price. However, everything was delicious! The meats are super tender. The best beans I've had. Mac, cornbread, coleslaw, cajun fries... I've got no complaints. The service is so so friendly and warm as well read more

Cali BBQ - OG Combo Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

We recently visited Cali BBQ and ordered the Tailgater BBQ Feast for 4, which comes with tri-tip, rib tips, pulled pork, brisket, 1/2 chicken, 1/2 rack of ribs, mac and cheese, beans, slaw, potato salad, and four cornbreads. First off, the presentation of the platter was very appealing and definitely gave that classic BBQ feast impression. The sides were tasty, and the cornbread stood out to us. They add jalapeño to it, which gave it a nice balance of heat and buttery flavor that we really enjoyed. The meats had good flavor overall, and you could tell there was quality and effort behind the food. However, our main issue was the temperature. Unfortunately, much of the food felt room temperature to cold, especially the ribs, which took away from the overall experience. We do want to recognize Jason, who appeared to be the manager. He was helpful and quickly replaced the 1/2 rack of ribs with a warm one, and that made a noticeable difference. We appreciated his customer service and willingness to make things right. Overall, the food tasted good and the feast offers a nice variety, but BBQ is at its best when it's served hot and fresh. I honestly feel that if everything had come out at the proper temperature, it would have made a huge difference in our experience. For us, it was an okay visit with room for improvement. read more

See all

Waaaay busy night. Trivia games and a lot of noise. People seemed to love it but for us a bit too much stimulation. Great news they have happy hour all day and I had the shredded pork quesadilla. Very tasty and for $10 a bargain. My boyfriend had the brisket plate and as always amazing. The service team was almost in overwhelm. Lots to do. Each one of them, though, apologized for the slower service and explained what was going on. That is the way to do it. Well done. Always a good time. read more

Cali BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

I don't know where to start. The service was excellent. The ambiance was chill, but you can tell it can become lively and busy easily. The food... Oh the food. I have a rule, if I'm not talking I'm enjoying my food. I also do this little dance, but that's besides the point. Not a word was said. And the dance was danced. The tangy and flavorful barbecue sauce and the smokey flavor of the melt in your mouth brisket, and the rib tips, the Mac n cheese, the coleslaw, and the wedding beans, and I can't leave out the jalapeno cornbread muffin. I honestly can't remember the last time I had bbq this good. I can't wait to come back. And added bonus, they're dog friendly. Thank you Cali BBQ, we'll see you next time. I apologize I didn't photograph my food I was too focused on eating it. read more

See all

Hands down THE BEST BBQ in San Diego -- and I've tried a bunch. Cali Comfort is on another level. The ribs? Fall-off-the-bone tender with that perfect smoky bark and a dry rub that hits every note. Brisket melts, pulled pork is juicy, and the house sauce? Tangy, sweet, perfect -- doesn't drown the meat, just elevates it. So much food, insane value, and everything is fire. Leftovers for days. Sides are legit -- mac is creamy with a crispy top, beans have burnt ends in 'em, cornbread is sweet and fluffy. Even the slaw is crisp and balanced. Vibe: Big sports bar with tons of TVs, but the patio is clutch on a nice day. Service is fast and super friendly. Parking? No drama. If you're in San Diego and love BBQ, this is your spot. Worth the drive to Spring Valley. Already planning my next trip back. Highly recommend! Pro tip: Pair it with their craft beers for the full tailgate vibe. read more

Cali BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

This place always on hit..! Try the brisket, pull pork, tri-tip, bbq chicken, both beef and pork ribs. Yeah boy and girl this grown folks bbq. Don't forget the beans!!! Man I'm telling you their beans are fire not to mention the jalapeño poppers, OMG!!! THANK YOU JESUS ..!! For allowing me live and make it back to this bomb spectacular taste explosion in your mouth bbq joint...! The staff are great too.!! Really they check up on you on a timely basis, not sure what others think about that.. but I like to be checked on before my glass is empty or just to see if we need more of whatever. GREAT STAFF THANK YOU GUYS .! read more

TLDR: Remember when Captain America tried to lift Thor's hammer in Age of Ultron and it jiggled a bit? That's the image I want people to have when being unsure what to expect. The belief has always been that Texas BBQ can only be found in Texas. I feel that this place is one of the few that can claim that they're as close as it's gonna get without going to the source. 1lb Brisket: It's a mix of the lean side and fatty side of brisket, but the flavor profile just hits. It was hard to eat, not because it was tough, but because the meat would break down when trying to get it with a fork. It's close to what you can get in Texas, but I think the way to go is to ask for the fatty side to get the full buttery meat experience. Combo #4: The brisket is the same as the pound EXCEPT they put bbq sauce on top. Although the sauce was fine, I'm really not a fan of bbq sauce and am a full believer that good food should be good on its own. The star of the plate was definitely the tri-tip. I was confused at first since the tri-tip looked like brisket slices you find in Korean BBQ and I'm used to thicker tri-tip cuts. However, it was the best bite of the meal. The onion rings are good and the ranch sauce well always be a welcome addition in any fried side. The mac and cheese was the dunce of the bunch. Definitely a good place for improvement, but the rest of the plate is worth the price. Service: Good. We were checked on at reasonable time intervals and our waters were always topped off. Ambiance: It's a sports bar vibe, but it's bright and family friendly. I think seating might be an issue on busier days, but it was fine when I went. read more

Cali BBQ - Combo #4 Brisket/Tri Tip - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

Food was bomb and it's fast service coming in the door. You must have the peach cobbler read more

Looking for a local BBQ joint, check this place out. Phenomenal!!! Good price, great food, drinks, and staff.

Had the Tri-Tip sandwich with the standard seasoned fries on the side. It was pretty decent, and the various meals of my friends looked and smelled good as well. The highlight was definitely the Loaded Pulled Pork Fries that we all shared. Oh man, fantastic and a must try if you're with group of people (or are really hungry). The staff was really great, even making sure to bring the Peach Cobbler out at the end even though the one guy has ordered it at the very start. read more

Best BBQ Around! Our favorite items are the tri-tip and brisket--both are tender, flavorful, and perfectly smoked. The sides are excellent, and the peach cobbler is to die for! It's the perfect sweet finish to an amazing meal. Every visit has been great, and we always leave satisfied. Highly recommend Cali BBQ to anyone looking for outstanding barbecue and delicious desserts! read more

Great place to come for happy hour / or a date even on your lunch break just order ahead Food is Bomb read more

Cali BBQ - Electric Margarita Fish Bowl - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

Cali BBQ was great! With all the stress we were experiencing for a huge 4th of July party, they were angels. The food was amazing, the delivery was seamless and the entire experience was made so easy due to their help and attention to our needs. read more

Still the best local bar/BBQ spot in the Valley and has been for over 15 years. Quality grub for a fair price. Exceptional staff in a friendly neighborhood setting. Has lasted the test of time because of consistent high quality food and great customer service. The jewel of Spring Valley. read more

See all

SO GOOD!!! I don't usually write reviews but wow the food was amazing so I had to. We got the buffalo and honey habanero wings. The buffalo were rich and thick sauce, best wings I've had in a long long time. The habanero were super hot, I'm not into that but my husband said the flavor was great. The ribs were amazing!!! The sauce was great and the meat itself was tender. The brisket was good, would like to try the tri tip next time maybe. Wedding beans were very very good, not just your average baked beans. Staff was nice and helpful as well! I would definitely go back!!! read more

Cali BBQ - OG Combo Ribs, Mac N Cheesy, Wedding Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

It was decent! I prefer valley farms BBQ, but the family wanted to go here instead. I didn't care for the fried but every one ate their food without complaint. We have never been back but it's still open so they are doing something right! read more

See all

We stopped by cali bbq to dine in, usually get take out. Our meal was delicious and loved they were showing the padre game. Our server, Mia A was excellent!! She was very busy but delivered service with a smile and very genuine!! We will definitely be back to dine in for delicious bbq! Thank you Mia!! Hope your boss see this review. read more

The wait staff are always great, And the Ribs are fall off the bone the best in town, pull pork is outstanding, And the wedding Beans are the best. We find the food better then Phills BBQ! Great for your sports and your favorite drink also, I love the wings nice and messy. read more

Came as a party of 2 on a Sunday at 1:00 PM. There was no wait. This restaurant is located in an unassuming area. Parking: Spacious and easy to find. There's plenty of parking available in the back. Ambience: A laid-back sports bar vibe where people come to watch the game, enjoy good food, and relax. Service: Quick, friendly, and attentive. Food: Huge portions and a fantastic value compared to other BBQ joints. Country Fair Sandwich - 8/10: The pulled pork was tender and flavorful, paired with thin, crispy fries that were amazing. The mac and cheese was okay. Brisket Plate - 6/10: The brisket itself was a bit disappointing. It was fatty, slightly dry, and lukewarm. However, the sides of beans and coleslaw were solid and helped make the meal more enjoyable. Summary: Cali BBQ offers generous portions at a great price, which makes it a solid choice for casual BBQ dining. I would like to return to try their other menu items. read more

Cali BBQ - Country Fair Sandwich and Brisket Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

Came here for a hang out with co-workers and the food was really good. The prices were great as well. The best part was the staff. Very attentive and very friendly. Honestly, I love having such a gem be a part of the community I grew up in. Definitely recommend this place. read more

I heard online how this restaurant is one of the best barbecue in San Diego so I had to try it out. I was around 30 minutes away from this restaurant and I was able to order online. Once I arrived, I got a text message immediately stating the food was ready, and there was plenty of parking. I saw that inside had a lot of seating if you wanted to eat inside, but I wanted to take it to go. Once I took it home I thought everything was extremely delicious, moist and tasty. I tried the tri-tip and brisket meat and they were both so good! The total for both was around $57 and it was so filling and I had extra to eat later tonight. The sides are large and the meat portions are large as well. I highly recommend trying this location! read more

See all

Best brisket I've ever had was here. I've had brisket in houston, Texas and this one is still better! Onion rings are perfectly crisp! Beans are absolutely delish! read more

Cali BBQ - Brisket Plate, I like making the perfect bite and stacked onion ring with brisket, pickle, and coleslaw on top! - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

We got the tailgater deal and it was a lot if food for the price. The brisket was really good. My least favorite was the tritip. The ribs were awesome. Service was fast and friendly. The inside was clean and the padres game was on. read more

I go to this restaurant every week. Well, not anymore. They need some serious customer service skills. I got an order wrong when I got home. I went back to restaurant and I had to wait another 15 minutes. I got a simple sorry with no explanation. If the manager came to me and handshake with an apology. And he offered me a drink, anything, I would of been fine. Nothing zilch. I decided to go elsewhere. Good buy Cali BBQ . read more

So far this is my go to for bbq. It's Kansas style bbq that satisfies this Texan love for bbq until I get to Texas. I normally get the bbq pork ribs and the pull pork. The ribs are fall off the bone tender and the pull pork is flavorful. The order is enough to share with 2 people. I love the jalapeños muffins with their bbq beans. The service is always good whether I dine in or order out. The restaurant itself is clean with enough seating to satisfy a rush. Although the parking lot is small with ample parking. read more

Cali BBQ - 1/2 of an order of bbq ribs with pulled pork - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

We've been coming here for several years. Two days ago (Sunday 4/26/26) , the food was a serious disappointment. We usually split The County Fair sandwich. This time, we got our own. We both agreed that 1. Much less pork in the sandwich. And 2. The fries were heavily over seasoned. It's my opinion that 3. Mac n cheese was heavily seasoned with black pepper, ruining it when tasted alone. Also, it's not the same - something very generic about it. 4. The bread tasted like it was not toasted/grilled with butter but cooked in a LOT with a butter flavored oil. Just gross. 5. Black iced tea is way too strong. I should have asked for water (because here you have to ask now). Their barbecue sauce is fine, but it doesn't make me want to come back. Not for a $17 sandwich. They went cheap to preserve high enough prices. Maybe they have a new cook. It used to be one my favorites. I don't care to return. There's like 5 other barbecue places we can go to that are way better. Service is just okay because I'm pretty sure that the couple that came in after us got served first. read more

First time here with my bestie and not many people but lots of seats and a bar. Seated immediately and ordered a sweet tea and combo of rib tips and brisket which comes with cornbread, cole slaw and wedding beans. The meat was tender and fall off the bone . My bestie ordered the 1/2 pork ribs plate and we ordered a side of seasoned fries and onion rings which were enough to feed 4 lol . Service was good and bbq was amazing . Will definitely be coming back read more

See all

Good food overall. I didn't particularly care for the Mac and cheese or cornbread, but the meat was very tender, and the peach cobbler was very sweet. The service was great, with friendly and helpful servers. The interior of the restaurant is nice and lively. I definitely recommend this place if you enjoy BBQ. read more

Cali BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

Ever since moving to San Diego I've had multiple people recommend Cali BBQ and we finally got to chance to understand why! It's absolutely delicious and the customer service here is impeccable ! We stopped by on a Sunday night , decided to eat in and we were able to find parking in the front . We were greeted as we walked in and taken to our table . As it was our first time we asked for recommendations , we tried the Aztec burger and the bbq ribs with Mac and cheese and fries ! Both meals were 10/10!! We are so happy we tried it it really beats out any bbq place we've ever tried , and exceeds all of the customer service it provides! read more

Cali BBQ - Aztec burger - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

Was craving BBQ and decided to give this spot a try. Wish I can give them 4.5 stars. So close to 5 stars and better than 4 stars. Here's the breakdown of what we had and how we rated it. -BBQ Pulled Pork fries. Must try, fries were crispy and hot (just a tad too thick for me but they are average thickness). Sauce was on point. Needed a little more meat and then it would be an easy 5 stars. 4 stars all day -I had the Pulled pork combo plate w brisket & substitute coleslaw for onion rings. Onion rings- 4 stars. Fresh and crispy, just a tad too thick Wedding beans. If bbq beans and chili beans had an affair, this would be their child! 4 stars Brisket - sauce was on point, meat was delicious. If they could make the meat softer, easy 5 stars. 4.5 stars as is Pulled pork-same sauce, on point, and pulled pork was soft and tender. A little more seasoning and easy 5 stars. 4.5 stars as it sits Jalapeño corn bread. I don't try but wife did and said eh. 3 stars Mac n cheese- good but not great. Good texture. If it was a bit toasty on the edges, 5 stars. As is, 4.5 stars. Sweat tea. Homemade, maybe I'm too used to Texas Road House / Canes sweat tea. This was good but not as sweat as those mentioned. 4.5 stars Coleslaw. Still haven't had a coleslaw that was good. I would imagine if u like coleslaw, you'll like this one. 3 stars. Over all recommend and will come back. Staff is very friendly and place is nice and big with easy parking read more

Cali BBQ - Pulled Pork Combo #2 Pork - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

It's always a pleasure coming here and whenever I want to surprise my husband with some delicious barbecue, I order it to go and surprise him with it. The brisket is mouthwatering and I've never had anything that here that was not good. read more

I am a Cali BBQ faithful. Every holiday party, home and work. Cali is always a hit! Easy to order and pickup and always Tastes great. I recommend the bacon wrapped poppers. read more

Cali BBQ has been one of our favorite go-to spots--the flavors are bold, the portions are solid, and the vibe is always welcoming. We've had some amazing meals here, especially their pork sandwiches and that wicked peach cobbler, which is an absolute standout. However, I have to be honest--our last few experiences with the brisket haven't lived up to their usual standard. It came out really chewy and just didn't have that satisfying, fall-apart texture you expect from good brisket. It's hit or miss lately, which is disappointing because when they're on, they're great. Still hopeful it's just a phase. Maybe the grill needs to be turned up or the prep needs a little love. We'll be back, but hoping for more consistency next time around! read more

Cali BBQ is a small chain. We like this one in Spring Valley, which is very close to San Diego. The place is ever so cute and it all smells of BBQ. It is super clean and very comfortable. You can dine inside or out, you can have take away and they deliver. They also cater, but that I know nothing about. They have everything in BBQ you could want. It is all slow cooked and now and again they will run out of things because they just can't rush slow cooking. They even have tail gate plates where you can get all the food you want for you and your friends and it not just a big mess when you get to your location. The service is kind and friendly. They know their menu well. They are pretty fast, be it for take away or eating there. We always eat there. My favorite is their brisket sandwiches. They are just the best with melt in your mouth brisket. Their ribs are so wonderful. All their sandwiches and plates are devine. Their fries are great, they even make great burgers. All of their sides are made with care. And their peach cobbler is the best and it is always fresh. If anywhere near Cali, you must try it. read more

See all

I was so excited to finally be able to go and get some barbecue food at your establishment. I remember I had been there 7 years ago and it was amazing! Especially the banana pudding. Yesterday I ordered a takeout the combo number one along with the peach cobbler. When I took a couple bites so I was very disappointed. The chicken was dry, the ribs were cold, the biscuit was dry so I didn't even eat that. Let's just say the best part of that meal were the beans. I did order the peach cobbler and I was terribly disappointed in that. It seemed to have come with clearly only two peaches so what it seemed I paid $10 for was a dump of flour and sugar on top of two peaches. I would like to say though those girls at the front were amazing super friendly and kind. Not sure what happened if you have new owners or what but greatly disappointed and I will not be back. read more

A friend of a friend recommended this place so we thought wed try it out. There were three of us and we decided to split the tailgaters feast and we definitely had leftovers. I dont even know here to start haha. So the meats. The brisket was so good! Same with the ribs and the tri tip. Juicy, good cuts of meat well seasoned and so good when dipped in bbq sauce. I'm not a huge pulled pork or bbq chicken person because it can be dry and, sadly, these two were a little dry. They do need a good amount of bbq sauce. As for the sides. I love baked beans, can't go wrong. The cornbread was moist, but also fell apart with is just right. The macaroni and cheese was okay, it was bad it was anything amazing, but solid. Im not the biggest coleslaw or mac salad fan so I can't review them in good conscience. The pickles on the meat plate, can't forget those, chefs kiss. Such a good deal for so much food. It fed two guys who can eat a lot plus me who eats a normal amount with good leftovers. read more

Cali BBQ - Tails - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all

Ribs were huge! Wedding beans great as usual with lots of pork in them. Look forward to ordering again. Also in love with their BBQ pork sandwich! read more

I just had to share how good this place is. The service was great. David is so pleasant and kind. He was very welcoming. We ordered the Tailgate which has literally everything. All the sides and all the meats in one order. They have TVs so you can watch sports while you enjoy their delicious bbq. They also offer a variety of adult beverages including beer, wine and cocktails. Perfect for a Friday family dinner. Did I mention they have kids menus with fun activities to keep them entertained? read more

Cali BBQ - Ribs, tri tip, half chicken, pulled pork, brisket and the best part was the rib tips - Barbeque Near Me - Spring Valley, California

See all