Coops BBQ was amazing! The brisket and ribs were absolutely delicious, and the sauce was so good. 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. read more

Small chill spot, friendly faces (especially Mr. Coop!), and the food is delicious! Took the day off for a lil family day. Heard about this place from Gareth Eats and Marvelous Muncher, they did not lead me astray! My wife and kid can be pretty picky. For the amount of food we ordered, we would usually have leftover, but we finished the whole thing! * 2 lbs of chicken - so juicy, great taste, especially with that BBQ sauce. My wife usually complains that BBQ is so salty, or too vinegary, not this time. She loved it! * Mac and cheese - Creamy! Cheesy! Good! * Coleslaw - fresh, I think there's a light vinaigrette. I usually like mayo on mine, but I can see how this pairs better with the rest of the food. * Potato Salad - solid, not too salty as well. Just right! * Beans and Rice - I think I should've gone large on this one. So good! * Peach Cobbler - legit. Warm. Peachy. Cobblery. * Sweet Potato Pie - I was surprised, because I usually am not a fan of sweet potato. Tasty, not too sweet! Mr. Coop checked in with us once in a while to make sure we're all good, stopped by and gave me a sample of the bacon. Sweet, real tasty! I'm excited to come back and try the ribs and brisket! Smelled so good coming in! read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Peach Cobbler + Sweet Potato Pie - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Ive been wanting to try this spot for a while now since I have tried multiple bbq spots around San Diego. Its a pretty small shop, gives mom and pop shop. They have around 4 giant tables inside, so you may have to ask someone if you wanna join them to eat there inside. I had the following below: *Pork Ribs: 3/5 - The ribs were just rough. There wasnt enough flavor and honestly i had to keep drowning in bbq sauce to enjoy them. *Beef Brisket: 5/5 - Honestly the star of the show. So juicy, so tender, literally falls apart. The bbq sauce is a sweet yet tangy flavor and really complemented the combination well. *Pulled Pork: 4/5 - Solid pulled pork. Juicy and soft, spreads apart easily. With the bbq sauce compliments it very well. *Mac N Cheese: 4/5 - Its cheesy, less creamy. It's a solid mac n cheese but I have had better elsewhere or even homemade. This was their packaged meal deal and honestly for $103 it's pretty pricey. This was 3lbs of meat and 2 large sides. I wanted to try a bit of everything just to say I tried it. Overall I would just come back to this spot for the brisket. I think a brisket sandwich would've been better. It's a solid spot. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Pork Ribs, Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Mac N Cheese, - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Mr. Coop and his entire team were absolutely AMAZING! They catered my 55th birthday party on Saturday, 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! read more

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I finally tried coops barbecue. The brisket rained supreme. It is so unbelievably tender, and good. It literally melts in your mouth. I bought a a pound to share. I tried the pork ribs, but I do prefer Phil's pork ribs to these ribs and tender, but Phils falls off the bone. Still very good. Collard greens were delicious as were the rice and beans. Service is efficient and prompt.' Ambience is that of a smoked meat joint. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Beef Brisket, so tender, and good! - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Coop's, I'm so sorry I have visited on such a long time, but you are as good as I remember. Ordered Big Tex sandwich with brisket topped with Texas sausage, best of both. Delicious moist tender brisketis worth the wait. Texas Sausage is the truth, sliced and sprinkled top of sandwich. I ate the first half just meat, then decided to incorporate the bread, perfect meaty sandwich. Served with sauce and cup of onions and pickles. Ordered side of collard greens, cooked to a soft chew, in a rich flavor broth with few pieces of pork hiding in there. Ordered Arnold Palmer made if Sweet Tea and Lemonade, make sure you add ice. Paired perfect with my return meal. Super busy staff in total control. read more

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Still love this place just wish they had later hours in the evening. But taking advantage of my 15% off half birthday discount today. And enjoying the brisket and of course the candied yams are the best in the world here. Services are quick it's a full house today. Crowds really add to the ambience, sitting at the picnic tables you get to meet others who love great bbq. read more

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Coop's is one of my favorite places to eat.  The full rack of pork ribs is what I normally ordered.  Over the past year Coop has been doing daily specials which are sometimes the best dishes I have ever had.  Here are some of them: Rack of beef ribs was just the right size for a big lunch.  Good amount of tender meat on each rib.  I loved the smoky flavor from being smoked and the dry rub.  Great tasting ribs!  Candied bacon was a bit chewy.  Mix of smoky pork and sweetness was tasty.  Pecan crusted fried swai had a crunchy coating of batter and juicy delicate fish.  Loved the flavor from the batter which had the saltiness of cornmeal batter and nuttiness from the pecans.  Delicious.  Smothered smoked beef short ribs were covered in a southern style gravy which was amazing.  Beef was tender and full of smoky flavor.  Rice coathed in gravy was delicious.  This dish is one of my favorites and reminds me of Coop's smothered oxtails.  I check Coop's facebook post every weekend to see what specials are up.  It's amazing how Coop keeps coming up with new delicious dishes each one better than the last.  Staff was nice and got my order out quick.  Sometimes I'll see Coop in the kitchen working his magic and say hi. read more

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COOP'S!!! Great way to finish this beautiful weekend. Came in for my favorite, brisket, but didn't they have jerk chicken for my wife and son. Ordered large potatoe salad and small red beans and rice. Chicken was good but like jerk chicken better. No complaints about the brisket-Yum! Happy Camper Sunday. 'Mr Coops' was in the house and was good to see him doing well. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

West Texas BBQ Dryrub bbq Lemon grove Smoked meats Amex accepted Limited parking Limited seating Open Friday thru Sunday Take out and indoor seating Restrooms shared with a diff business Family owned / mom and pop shop Everyone's friendly Smells amazing Catering available Brisket, sausage, chicken, ribs Limited side vegetarian options Food sold until it runs out Quick service. read more

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This was our second time here The service was fast and friendly. Inside the restaurant was a little small but it wasn't too busy so we found seats right away. we ordered ribs, tri tip, Mac and cheese, and yams. Plus a side order of cornbread and a sweet tea. The sweet tea is always so good! Everything was really good but the cornbread wasnt as good today ;( read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Moved back to the area and knew exactly where we had to get bbq from. Wonderful customer service..inside of resturant is clean and plenty of seating. If youre in the area make sure you stop by, you won't be disappointed read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Jerk chicken potatoes salad greens - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Thank goodness we didn't lose this beloved Lemon Grove institution last year, because they really do serve up the best BBQ in town. The menu features tried-and-true classics like brisket, jerk chicken, ribs, and pulled pork, plus limited-time specials they announce on social media each weekend. I never leave without my favorites: the rib-tips and red beans and rice. The best part of the experience is being greeted by Mr. Coop when you walk through the door, knowing what a genuine and humble person he is. It's clear he really loves what he does, and that makes you feel like more than just a customer. If you want authentic BBQ with heart behind it, this is the place. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - 1 lb of Rib Tips - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

4.3 stars. This is the best BBQ I've had in San Diego by a long shot. Definitely trumps Phil's BBQ. The first round of brisket was a 5/5. We ordered another pound and that was drier at 3.5/5. The jerk chicken was such a pleasant surprise. Juicy, tender, and flavorful. 5/5. Dry rub ribs were okay. From the sides I thought the collard greens, Mac and cheese and candied yams were really good. The peach cobbler was a huge miss. Not what I expected. Cornbread was unmentionable. Love that they give hot bbq sauce when asked and lots of BBQ sauce. Picnic tables inside. By the time it hit around 12:30 there was already a long line out the door. read more

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My absolute favorite BBQ spot in San Diego, my husband is from Texas so we're but of BBQ snobs. lol This place tastes authentic! We love the brisket, sausage, and ribs. It's a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it! We usually do just pick up their sweet tea is also amazing! I can't recommend this spot enough almost even want to gatekeep but it's absolutely delicious. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

You could smell the BBQ from down the street, and that alone let me know I was in the right place. I hadn't had Coop's West Texas BBQ in well over 10 years, so I decided it was finally time to return and I was not disappointed. I ordered the rib tips along with sides of mac & cheese, greens, yams, and cornbread, and everything was delicious. The rib tips were flavorful and satisfying, and the sides really completed the meal. The mac & cheese was comforting, the greens were well-seasoned, the yams had just the right sweetness, and the cornbread tied it all together perfectly. Customer service was A1, and food was plated to-go rather quickly. I was out the door in less than 20 minutes. The restaurant is located on the corner of a strip plaza, so parking is plentiful, which is always a plus. Inside, the space is definitely on the smaller side, so be prepared to get a little cozy with the table next to you, but that just adds to the old-school BBQ joint vibe. Overall, a solid return visit after a decade away. Great food, great aroma, and definitely worth stopping by if you're craving classic BBQ. read more

Best Bbq in San Diego everything is amazing I don't eat pork but chicken and brisket and oxtails and Mac and cheese and the desserts are amazing as well placing my order today read more

I've never been a huge fan of bbq before but coops just changed that for me . Meat was tender and flavorful, sides were delicious as well ! The owner was so sweet and you could tell he loves his job. He offered us samples of their jerk chicken & peach cobbler once finding out we were first timers. Overall the place was great and felt homey (: read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Pork ribs dinner plate - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Tried the brisket sandwich, jerk chicken, mac and cheese, and potato salad. Everything was delicious! The bbq sauce was especially the best part. Must try bbq for all bbq lovers! read more

Wow just wow!! This bbq spot has been the BEST I've ever been to. The workers in there you can tell have regulars that come back they greet you by name and were super warm and welcoming to us as new customers and to their regulars!! The tables are family style picnic bench like which made the atmosphere nice because we got to sit next to the kindest gentleman who even offered us a piece of his pork candy! (Delicious btw!) We purchased the pork ribs and beef brisket and that meat just MELTED in our mouths. All the sides candied yams, potatoe salad, Mac n cheese and white beans were absolutely killer!!! We found our new bbq spot and will be returning often! Thanks coop and to all the other kinds employees! Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed! Yum!! read more

Food is outstanding... That chicken is what keeps you coming back. The beans and rice is outta bounds, the brisket is what causes more fights than a game of uno. The service is always too tier and very friendly. The ambiance is delightful, the smell of the smoke is very intoxicating. read more

Customer service pretty descent, but prices rather high even for a bbq spot. My review is mostly focused on the pork ribs. Them mofos were drier than four slices of wonder bread. Flavor was also lacking, seasoning goes a long way even in smoked meats. read more

My family and I are always on the lookout for new and trending barbeque joints to see which one we will like the best. After years of hunting around the San Diego region, Coop's is the place we always find ourselves going back to. To start, the owner, Coop, is a very nice man who always engages with the customers whenever he is at the restaurant. Even if he's not there, it's always a pleasant sight to see and smell the barbeque trailer in action when we arrive. I recommend coming earlier rather than later in the day because the restaurant will close for the day once all the food is sold. Moving on to the food, there are tons of meat options including beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and chicken. It's hard to single out what the best option is since I enjoy all of them. Of course, you have to have barbeque sauce on everything! The sauce is great because it isn't too sweet but is still packed with flavor. There are a bunch of side options too with the mac and cheese and cornbread being my favorites. If you are coming with a large group, I recommend ordering from the samplers menu so you can get a combination of meats at a price lower than if you ordered the same amount of meat individually. Coop's is a great local business to support that you won't regret, even if you end up eating more than you intended. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Meat combo with mac and cheese and cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Best BBQ in San Diego! Bought some for takeout Friday before the Fourth of July. Pork ribs were works of art, fell off the bone, and were seasoned to perfection. Brisket was moist and tender. Best I've had anywhere, including Texas. Their BBQ sauce has a unique flavor that enhances everything. Collard greens are my favorite side, with nice little chunks of pork. They weren't taking orders over the phone. Just get there early and get some! read more

Only open Friday-Sunday! Delicious, tasty, tender meats! They serve Beef Brisket (my fav!), Pulled Pork, Southwestern Jerk Chicken, Pork Ribs, Homemade Texas Sausage, Rib Tips. I recommend getting a sampler so you can try a variety like we did. They also serve sandwiches, desserts & Sweet Tea (a must order!) Make sure to check their IG because they will highlight specials too. read more

Amazing bbq. Friendly staff. Get there early as they run out of the special items. Plenty of free lit parking. Picnic table seating inside

Farewell to Coop's West Texas BBQ as we know it as this will be the last weekend of business at their longtime Lemon Grove location. As one of the OGs of this BBQ style in the SD area, it has been one of my favorite dining spots. The no frills setup with multiple smokers on the opposite side of the parking lot reminded me of popular barbecue joints in the Southern states. Four picnic tables were available for inside seating so the dining space was limited. The majority of orders was for takeout, and they only accepted cash. The place opened at 10:00 and by the time I showed up, there were a dozen customers ahead of me. For this final visit, I bought a Knockout Sampler which was three pounds of meat (each had to be different) and two large sides. My picks were the Beef Brisket, Pork Ribs, and Homemade Texas Sausage along with Red Beans & Rice and Mac 'n Cheese. A small serving of Peach Cobbler and a slice of Buttermilk Pie rounded out my selections. The ribs and sausage were still on the smoker when I ordered which meant I had to wait another hour before those two meats were ready. The Pork Ribs were the best of the bunch. There were six bones with such deep smokiness to them that I didn't need to apply any barbeque sauce. I saved it for the pound of Beef Brisket that was cut into small slices. It was on the fattier side compared to places that offer more lean meat. The Texas Sausage contained a blend of spices (jalapeno?) which imparted some heat. The Red Beans & Rice were ordinary while the Mac 'n Cheese wasn't the gooiest blend I have tasted, yet it was still satisfying. The Peach Cobbler was the winner of the dessert battle as the sweetness of the peaches was terrific. Coop's does plan to have future pop-up events, and they will also provide catering if you have a function that desires this type of BBQ. Thank you to the owners and staff for your 13 years of service to the greater SD community. You will be missed! read more

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Came here on Saturday morning and ordered brisket, pulled pork, homemade sausage, and mac & cheese. All of their meats were tender and deliciously seasoned. Their BBQ sauce complements their meats really well. So far the best BBQ we've been to in San Diego and customer service was phenomenal! The owner was really nice and he gave us pork and chicken samples, which were all delicious too. It looks like a small mom pop shop but definitely way better than most franchise restaurants. Ambience was very homey and casual. Will definitely come back and maybe even try their catering!! read more

For my money...Coop's West Texas BBQ is the best barbecue I've ever had! Im so glad they stayed open because of the outcry of their customers not to close. They needed that cry and have flourished as a result. Congrats to the Coops family for endeavoring to persevere! read more

Love it when the community comes together to save a small business from fully closing. Coop's is now open on Fri-Sun 10-3. CASH ONLY. We came on a raining Sat and was the first in line by 9:15am. We placed our order at 9:57am and got our order in 15 mins. Rainy day special of 10% off. We got a 1/2 slab pork ribs, 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 lb jerk chicken, 1/2 lb sausage, candied yams, Mac n cheese, corn bread (requested corner piece) and sweet tea. Everything was so tender, moist with a smokey flavor of oak wood (they ran out of mesquite wood). The sausage and chicken was our least favorite. The pork ribs and brisket were our top two. The ribs had so much flavor deep into the bones and didn't need sauce. Both had the right amount of fattiness. We asked for corner cut pieces of the corn bread to get the extra crispiness on the edges. Sweet tea is a must at bbq places. Be prepared to take on that pre diabetes goodness. My fiancé said it's one of the best Mac n cheese he's had. I'm not a Mac n cheese gal but I liked it bc it was cheesy without being cheesy. Know that Coop's bbq is Texas dry rub style with a thin wet layer, not drenched in sauce. They do give you spicy and non spicy bbq sauce. Parking is in a small lot with tons of street parking. Four picnic indoor tables. Across the parking lot, there are outdoor seatings in the former Coop's chicken and waffles building. read more

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Stopped on the way home to try Coops BBQ. The place smells amazing. The Hispanic lady at the register was nice. The menu looked good but expensive. Different options but need to buy 1lb each. I just wanted to try it first. I order the Big Tex sandwich. Comes with option of pulled pork or brisket. I got the brisket. I t also comes with sausage. See pictures. The sausage is tasty. The brisket is tender but not like super, fall-apart-at-the-touch tender. The bread is okay. Did not get soggy. Would've liked it toasted with a brush of butter. The sandwich comes with a side of pickle slices, onions, and bbq sauce. The sauce was good. Overall I give the sandwich a 7.9/10. I give the place 3 stars because the menu was on the pricey side. $50-$60 for a full slab. $27/lb for pulled pork. $22/lb for jerk chicken. Even though it's pricey, I'll go there again and try the the ribs, pulled pork, and the collard greens next time. read more

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Best bbq I've had in san diego and nothing comes close. First batch of brisket was great. Second was dry. Pork ribs were not good. Chicken was pretty good. mac and cheese - decent collared greens - decent candied yams - good peach - ok cornbread - not good read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

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Had food catered today by Coops West Texas Barbecue. Coop and his daughter pulled up with the smoker/grill; I knew it was going to be gooooddd!!! We had three different meat to select from: meat selections were pork ribs, brisket and southwestern jerk chicken. Sides were baked beans and Mac & Cheese along with corn bread/dinner roll. I opted for the three meat selections, the two sides and extra corn bread. I tasted the brisket, pork ribs and jerk chicken. Omg!!!! So tender, flavorful and melts in your mouth! They jerk chicken have the most Smokey flavor but you can taste a hint of smokiness in the brisket and ribs. The sides were delicious, my baked beans had pieces of pineapple in it, I never knew pineapple would compliment baked beans so good but my friend Cheryl loved it so much; she had to get a cup to go! The corn bread was great texture, baked to perfection and moist. The bbq sauce that they had offered was very good, perfect seasonings and goodness. I'm so glad I get to meet these wonderful crew, they were so nice and friendly. Very professional and have a welcoming positive attitude. I highly recommend Coops! read more

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Coop's West Texas BBQ: Where Smoke Meets Soul Let me just say this: if you haven't been to Coop's West Texas BBQ, you're not living your best BBQ life. As a Yelp Elite, I've eaten my fair share of brisket across the country, and Coop's is as authentic as it gets--no fluff, no gimmicks, just straight-up Texas BBQ done right. The vibe is unpretentious and welcoming--like your favorite uncle's backyard cookout, if your uncle happened to be a pitmaster. You can smell the smoke from the parking lot, and that's your first sign that you're about to make a very, very good decision. Let's break down the meats: * Brisket: This is the showstopper. Tender, juicy, and kissed with just the right amount of smoke. The bark is peppery and bold, and the fat is rendered perfectly--like meat butter. * Sausage links: Spicy, snappy, and bursting with flavor. Legit Texas-style. * Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone in the best way, with a smoky depth and tangy glaze that lingers just long enough to make you want another bite. * Chicken: Even the chicken here is impressive--smoked to perfection, juicy inside with a seasoned skin that's all flavor. And let's not forget the sides--because Coop's doesn't slack there either. The mac & cheese is creamy, rich, and ridiculously comforting. The collard greens? Southern grandma-approved. And the BBQ beans bring that sweet-smoky punch that rounds out the whole plate. But it's not just the food--it's Coop himself. The man is a legend. He's usually out front, checking in on guests, chopping meat, or just dropping wisdom. That kind of personal touch? You don't get that at chain spots. You feel like family here. Pro tip: Get there early. They do sell out, and when the meat's gone, it's gone. Final verdict: Coop's isn't just serving BBQ--it's serving culture, history, and a whole lot of heart. This place is a crown jewel in the San Diego food scene and an absolute must for any BBQ lover. read more

Glad that Coops is still around if only on the weekend now.Stoppes in last Sat after exploring Comic con downtown. Got 2 brisket sammies and they didn't disappoint. read more

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The bbq is the bomb but coop is a complete jerk its Texas bbq that is some of the best in san diego.

My husband and I tried this place called COOP'S WEST TEXAS BBQ. The inside is not that big of a space, they have long shared tables inside, it can be tight inside when there are a bunch of customers ordering to-go or dining in. We stayed to dine in 'coz I loved the BBQ smell inside :) We had: *BEEF BRISKET *PULLED PORK *SAUSAGE *PORK RIBS *JERK CHICKEN The moment we got our food omg the smokey smell from all the meats was lovely. I will usually take individual photos of each food and post them after here on Yelp, but I couldn't wait to eat so I just took one photo and ate right away :). I love their Brisket, it's so tender and goes perfectly with their BBQ sauce. Their sausage was good, it had a light spiciness. I Like the Jerk chicken too, it's so tender and tasty. Their ribs don't fall off the bones easily, but I like it still, they are very good smokey ribs. I wished to spot Mr. Cooper inside to see who was responsible for these yummy BBQ's :), but no luck, he wasn't around the day we came. We planned to visit again, and surely I am gonna order more than I ordered on our first visit, they are good BBQs. Parking was easy for us to find around. read more

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I gotta be honest. I came here with high expectations seeing a nearly 5 star review for this establishment. Upon coming in, the place is small. The menu is written in chalk on the walls and it is difficult to navigate. The tables are like picnic tables. This place is always full though with people. Prices are comparable to TX Roadhouse. I got a rib combo meal which was about 23 dollars. 4 dollars for drinks. For four of us it was about 80 something dollars. Food didn't take long to serve. The baked beans were good. Mac and cheese was ok. The ribs looked good but don't have much meat. Does not fall off the bone either. The BBQ sauce was very good though. Honestly, I don't think I'll be back. Just wanted to give this place a try. read more

Coop’s West Texas BBQ & Catering - Barbeque Near Me - Lemon Grove, California

Tasty food but they are skimpy with the meat for the price. I had the Potato que and it was just sautéed red potatoes and maybe 4 ounces of Brisket for $16, that, a sandwich, 1 ice tea, and a plate came out to $64. read more

We love Coop's....great and tasty options!! I'm not sure why the oxtails command such a huge price (when they have them) but everything else is really priced ok. As you drive up to the parking lot, the smell is so tantalizing! We wish it was closer and open all the time! The people behind the counter are really friendly and helpful. We love Coop's!!! read more