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Cali BBQ

4.3 (3.5k reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago
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CALI BBQ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Cali BBQ

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Reviews With Photos

OG Combo Ribs
Mia Y.

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

Randall B.

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.

Brisket Plate
Jennifer S.

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.

I had the combo number two with the pulled pork and rib, tips beans, and coleslaw
Kenneth B.

Cali BBQ is my wife and I favorite barbecue place. Jason and his team are great people very friendly very courteous. The food is delicious and abundant. All of the meat is good. Everything that they serve our favorite is the wedding beans all in all it's a great place nice people great staff great management and we will always go there to have barbecue. It's our favorite place. Big shout out to Jason and his staff. See you soon. Ken (Raider Fan) and Letty

OG COMBO
Anthony F.

Amazing service and really good food cooked to perfection. Didn't catch our waitresses name but she was very kind and attentive, all the staff was. The food was ready rather quickly. 100/10 definitely recommend this restaurant. Family loves it here. Will return soon

Karina D.

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.

Combo #4 Brisket/Tri Tip
Timothy Spencer T.

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.

The menu, my attempt at taking a pic of our plate and the honest result of my plate pic.
S. Genevra T.

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.

Cali BBQ menu
Jose B.

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.

Paul S.

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.

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

Stopped in when visiting with my grandson.Severs were friendly. I enjoyed the brisket. definitely going back on my next visit to SD.

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8 years ago

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Steven S.

No S., please check your inbox.

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8 years ago

Great place! Delicious BBQ and sides! Our server, Allana, was fantastic. We will be back :)

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Steven S.

Thank you Michael!

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5 years ago

I got sick from Cole slaw. They put hot stuff and cold food together. Where my Cole slaw was sweaty hot. I blew chunks afterwards.

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8 years ago

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Thank you Touradj! You are the man! We are loving the Up n' Go!

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10 years ago

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6 years ago

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Thank you T W

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5 years ago

Amazing food. Great customer service and order is always correct! I ordered online and pick up was easy.

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Steven S.

Thank you Mary- Steven S, Manager

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5 years ago

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Thanks Jessica! Great choices on your order! See you soon!

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8 years ago

They have never done be wrong. Went in hungry and came out chill for two days. Great food, great prices

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Jesus, thank you very much! Thanks for stopping by!

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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15 years ago

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11 years ago

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Page 48 of 88

Cali BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Cali BBQ

Can I bring my dog?

Hi, Yes, our front patio is dog friendly

Are you ever going to open up for weekend breakfast again? I love your breakfast!!!

I know that at this time they have no plans to do breakfast again, they are focused on selling their bbq nation wide.

Do they open early on Sundays for the 10 am games& do they have breakfast? Pre covid we had gone for day games And it was nice .

What is your Togo packed in?

Plastic containers mostly.

Do you do catering on site for small birthday parties (cooking on site)? If so, is there a minimum amount of people required?

Hi, we do offer catering, unfortunately we do not offer on-site cooking. Thank you for reaching out:… 

Taking reservations currently?

Hi, currently we are not taking reservations, all tables are on a first come first serve basis- Steven S, Manager

Can you seat a party of 8 inside?

Hi, thank you for reaching out to us, we had a few tables inside that can accommodate a party of 8

Is there currently a happy hour? If so when?

Hi, unfortunately we are not offering happy hour at this time

Most restaurants are again seating inside, is Cali Comfort? If not there what about their outside patios? I live too far away to carry out. Also, is the Southern Mac & Cheese available?

Hi, Great news! we are open for dine in and patio seating at our spring valley location from 12pm-8pm every day. Unfortunately, the southern Mac and cheese is currently not being offered. - Steven S, Manager

Do they still have burgers on the menu? Salads? My husband loves BBQ and wants to go but I don't eat BBQ and need an option for me. Thanks!

Hi, unfortunately we are no longer offer burgers, thank you for reaching out to us

When will you be open for breakfast again? I would go here at least 3 times a month on a Saturday for your breakfast before all the BS happened?

Thanks for reaching out, In order to serve the best slow smoked bbq during COVID19 unfortunately we have had to streamline our menu offerings. Thank you for your understanding

When will they have the souther mac and cheese again?

Hi, we are focusing on bbq and always updating our menu. Thanks for reaching out. Cheers!… 

Are they open for dine in?

I was here on 5/8/21 and they had dining inside and out. Their outside dining is dog friendly (with a leash) so bring Fido along.

Do they sell beef ribs?

We do not sell beef ribs but we do sell beef brisket and tri-tip. Hope this helps.

Do you guys have okra?

Hi, unfortunately we do not have Okra

What type of woods does Cali comfort bbq use to smoke their meats?

Hi, thank you for reaching out to us. We use Almond and pecan wood.

Can you get the mac and cheese without bacon?

Yes, you can definitely order our Mac and cheese without the bacon.

Is the outdoor seating area pet friendly?

Yes our outdoor patios are dog friendly! We love pets.

Any delivery options?

We deliver through the DoorDash app! Hope this helps.

Does the whole party have to be present to be seated?

From my previous experience, the whole party did not have to be present!

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Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering

4.5(2.5k reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

Coops BBQ was amazing! The brisket and ribs were absolutely delicious, and the sauce was so good…read more The sides were also super good, the mac and cheese, potato salad, rice and beans, and especially the candied yams, that was my favorite! On top of the great food, the customer service was excellent. Estela was so friendly, welcoming, and helpful, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to.

Mr. Coop and his entire team were absolutely AMAZING! They catered my 55th birthday party on…read moreSaturday, August 1, 2026, and truly helped make my celebration a memorable occasion. From the very beginning, Ross was wonderful to work with and helped me plan all the details to make sure everything came together perfectly. Then Mr. Coop and his team showed up and delivered phenomenal food and outstanding service! My guests enjoyed every bite, and they are STILL talking about how delicious everything was. I had always wanted Coop's BBQ to cater a special event at my home and they definitely did not disappoint. Having them be a part of my 55th birthday celebration made the occasion even more special. If you're looking for someone to take your event to the next level with incredible food and great service, I strongly recommend Mr. Coop and his team at Coop's BBQ. They helped make my 55th birthday one I will never forget!

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Valley Farm Market

Valley Farm Market

4.4(388 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

A few weeks back I was hanging out with an old friend and as we started discussing lunch, poke came…read moreto mind. It sounded good but we also weren't really feeling like going "out" and something that could be delivered or that we could pick up seemed like the better play. All the typical poke places showed up when we searched but none of them really sold us. Well, good thing I remembered that Valley Farm's poke game is strong... really strong. Believe me, I know that those of you who don't know Valley Farm will likely say "really?" when I detail that this sleepy little Spring Valley market kicks out poke as good as anywhere else in SD, but it's true. It's a sleeper of a choice but the quality and price will make you a fan, trust me.

Parking 4/5 -Decent amount of spots in the market parking…read morelot Service 5/5 -Friendly and efficient staff Food 2/5 -Salmon poke, very mild seasoning, it tastes ok but nothing like other common flavors of poke. It just tasted like salmon coated in some kind of sesame oil. I still ate it with snacking seaweed but I would not buy again. -Hatch chile Caesar wrap, I liked that the wrap was soft and not soggy. Chicken was grilled and diced, lettuce was crunchy and hatch chile tasted grilled and notably cold, came with Caesar dressing on the side. There was nothing wrong with the ingredients but together it just made a very underwhelming wrap, I didn't really taste any flavor from the wrap even with the help of the dressing. I also would not buy again. Ambiance 5/5 -They had a lot of ready-to-eat food options, both hot and cold. Even though I didn't like what I got this time, I'm open to come back and try other things they have.

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Valley Farm Market - So many options in the drinks aisle!

So many options in the drinks aisle!

Valley Farm Market
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Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking - Fried Chicken, catfish, macncheese, and yams/sweet potatoes.

Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking

3.9(468 reviews)
2.8 mi
•$$

Oxtail over rice and beef ribs were delicious. I would stick with those. Collard greens and black…read moreeyed peas are great to balance the richness. I prefer corn bread softer but overall I would still go back.

Came on a weekend because that's when they have both ox tails and beef ribs. I got 1 oxtail with…read morerice, a beef rib, 1 fried wing and a small side of collard greens with pork. The ox tail wasn't tough but I thought could be much softer, id have braised it for another 45 minutes or so. It came with some veggies that it was braised with. The beef ribs I believe were oven baked. They were Smokey and the BBQ sauce on the sweet side. I wish it was more tender. Maybe roast them covered first? The collard greens you can order them cooked in chicken, pork or vegan (no protein) I got them with pork, it was tender and flavorful. I'd try the vegan version next time. I also got a fried chicken wing which was tender and freshly fried. But the batter wasn't too crispy. It was a whole wing, flat, drumette and tip. Most of the food is all in heating trays, cafeteria style. I think if you order fried fish it's made to order. There are a few tables and a TV inside. You can look at the food behind the counter but you need to order at the register first. When the order goes in that's how the other person knows what to plate up. Be aware there's a 3% service fee if you use a credit card. So bring cash if you can.

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Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking - Deli counter

Deli counter

Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking - BBQ Pork, BBQ Chicken, potato salad and collard greens

BBQ Pork, BBQ Chicken, potato salad and collard greens

Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking - Nestled in the cozy corner of the lot.

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Nestled in the cozy corner of the lot.

Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill

Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill

4.3(339 reviews)
2.8 mi•Lomita
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Grab-and-go

I finally made it over to try what they are calling Filipino fusion and I walked away so impressed…read more My hubby and I ordered their Güd Burger, Kare Kare bowl and churro to share. This might honestly be my favorite meal. Even if it's quite a drive from San Diego, it was well worth it in my opinion. The Güd Burger completely lived up to the hype. The double Wagyu patties were juicy and full of flavor, the cheese was perfectly melty, and the sweet chili aioli brought everything together. I wasn't sure what to expect from the ube brioche bun, but it added just a hint of sweetness that somehow made the whole burger even better. Nothing overpowered anything else. It all just worked together. The Kare Kare bowl was generous in the Kare Kare, which I appreciated. The physical bowl felt too small compared to the amount they gave us! I'm glad I was sharing this with someone else because I was already full halfway through the bowl. We had to order the ube churros as well...don't skip this! The dipping sauce it came with was so good. I kept dipping my churro into it too because it was that good. The churro was crunchy without being dry. This whole meal was one of those meals where you don't want it to end. It was my first time here and we waited 45 minutes for our food to be ready because of how busy it was. Some people ordered ahead of time so they skipped the wait altogether. The restaurant itself is quite small but we were lucky enough to snag a seat after rush hour. There are less than 10 tables for eating in. Restaurants like this are worth supporting because you know it's a small business and the food tastes like it's made out of love! Already planning my next visit.

Randomly hopped on Yelp like, Aight, what's good around here...Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill popped…read moreup, so me and the homie said screw it, let's run it. First thing.....PORTIONS ARE LEGIT. They definitely not back there counting pieces of meat like it's coming out of their paycheck. You get a good amount of food for sure. I got the sisig rice bowl. Flavor was good, portion was solid, and I definitely ate it...but was I sitting there having a spiritual experience over the sisig? Nah. It was good, just nothing that had me texting the group chat like, BOYS. GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW. THEN MY HOMIE GOT THE SHORT RIB BOWL. Bruhhhh. He let me get a bite and immediately I was mad at myself. I'm chewing his short rib while looking down at my sisig like, I chose you over THAT?? That short rib was GOOD good. Next time I already know what I'm ordering. We tried the mac too. Mac was cool. It showed up. Did its job. Clocked in, clocked out. Nothing bad, nothing life-changing. NOWWWW...we gotta talk about the environment. I went to use the bathroom and suddenly felt like I had accidentally entered the employee storage room side quest. Stuff seemed like it was everywhere, and the whole place just felt like it needed a good cleanup and organization day. AND THEM FLOORS?!?! Slippery AF. I was walking back from the bathroom like a Filipino uncle leaving the dance floor after three Red Horses little steps, arms out, praying I don't end up on Yelp as part of somebody else's review. That was probably my biggest issue. When I'm eating somewhere, the environment matters. If the back/bathroom area feels cluttered and the floors got me ice skating back to my table, it starts making me question things I don't even WANT to question while I'm eating. BUT I gotta give credit where it's due....the service was GREAT. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and nice to us. And honestly, that's why I'm rooting for this place. The food has potential, portions are generous, service is friendly, and that short rib is . If they cleaned everything up, organized the place, fixed the slippery floors, and made the atmosphere feel more inviting??? BRO. This place could be PACKED. I'd definitely give them another shot. But next time....SHORT RIB BOWL. I learned my lesson.

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Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill
Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill - Gud burger

Gud burger

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Rice bowls

Cali BBQ - bbq - Updated October 2026

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