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    Phil's BBQ

    4.3 (17.1k reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, Bars, American
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Phil's BBQ Photos

    PHIL'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Phil's BBQ

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    To go line on the left dine in line on the right remember that when you see a long line
    K B.

    One thing that immediately caught my attention at Phil's BBQ was the sign proudly announcing that Yelp made them the #2 most-reviewed restaurant. With that kind of Yelp résumé, I was ready. I had a taste for barbecue, so I ordered the Rib Tickler. And let me say , the "tickle" is a LOT of food. More than a tickle, less than a belly laugh. Five pork bones, load of fries, two big onion rings, and I ordered a side sausage. As for the barbecue itself? On a scale of 1-5, I'm giving it a solid 3. I've eaten 'cue in Memphis, Texas, Oklahoma, and my uncle's backyard, so my barbecue expectations have some mileage on them. Phil's didn't outmatch those experiences. It wasn't bad by any means; it just didn't give me that smoky, tender, mouth-smacking moment I want from really good barbecue. I ordered to go. This eatery is always busy. There are two lines. The one on the furthest left is to go, simply bypass the dine here line on the left. Your name will be called without a mic so pay attention to hear it called. I'm going to be honest and say the refillable HiC fruit punch was my enjoyable moment. Coke products and fountain drinks will always be a winner. My theory? If I were sitting in Phil's backyard while he was personally tending the grill, I have a feeling that barbecue would be mouth-smacking. But when you start making 'cue for the masses, something can get lost between the pit and the plate. Still, the portions are generous, the place clearly has a loyal following, and being Yelp's #2 most-reviewed restaurant is impressive. Tip: If you purchase the tickler put the fries in a separate container. Price point: $15-20

    mengzi w.

    YUGE! I mean everything! Pretty fun place especially for kids. The onion rings are really big. Beef ribs standard size but for 1 rib dinner it is more than enough (I only ate half), and great price with sides, the additional ribs are also great prices. Only thing was that ribs were a bit overdone, the fatty bit (if any) has all been melted.

    Laurent L.

    How has Phil's BBQ withstood the test of time, even in this economy?! I first tried Phil's years ago during a bachelorette party. It was amazing back then. And whenever I'm in SD, I try to go back. Each time, it's been phenomenal. The quality of food and service has remained consistently fantastic. On this occasion, we ordered a full rack of baby back ribs with a large side of coleslaw, two full meals of beef ribs (3 ribs in each meal) with a large side of beans, and another large side of steamed veggies, and an order of loaded fries with tri tip. For all that delicious food, it was less than $130. That's a LOT of food, and it fed a family of 6 adults and 2 toddlers, with leftovers to spare. You have to order take out in person, and even then the wait was only 10 minutes or so for the food. I cannot accentuate enough how rare it is to have delicious tasting, consistent food that is affordable in this day and age. Phil's is a true gem.

    First time for my sister.
    Lila P.

    Food- 3 beef ribs, baked potato & corn on the cob & one sausage-absolutely delicious, everything! Service- line out the door, a few benches to sit on while waiting while someone is in line, outdoor jazzy music, there was even a wait list to sit in the bar area which we have done in the past & by passing the long wait line. Not today on a Sunday at 6:30 pm. Attentive table assistant who. brings you extra sour cream or ... and also clears your table. Order at counter & pay. Select/find a table and wait for pager to alert food is ready. Go up to counter & pick up. Ambiance-too noisy and lots of people

    Joe L.

    Great place for BBQ - never disappoints and the portions are huge! Would definitely recommend ordering a few things off the menu and sharing it with a group! Ordered the Baby Back Rib Dinner (6-7 bones) and ordered potato salad as my side. These baby back ribs were perfect - meat easily fell off the bone and had just the right amount of sauce. As for the potato salad, I was surprised by how big the chunks of potato were, but nonetheless, it was perfectly seasoned. My group also ordered onion rings, the beefy rib dinner, cornbread, macaroni salad, and one of their sandwiches. Honestly, we could have ordered less because we had so many leftovers.

    Thats what im talkin about son.
    Dave F.

    Whenever I'm in San Diego, a stop at Phil's BBQ is a must. I absolutely love this place and make it a point to come here whenever I need my barbecue fix. My go-to order is the beef rib with the sauce on the side and the French fries cooked well done. It never disappoints. Be prepared--there can be a line, especially during busy times--but it's well worth the wait. The staff keeps things moving efficiently, and the service is always friendly and on point. If you ever find yourself in San Diego, do yourself a favor and stop by. You won't regret it!

    Colossal Onion Rings (Large)
    Merlissa A.

    Came here for the first time on a weekend trip to San Diego and Phil's BBQ will forever now be a go to spot when i'm in the area again. My partner and I shared the full rack of ribs with sauce- and trust me it's enough for 2 hungry people with the 2 sides! The ribs were juicy, tender, soft, melt in your mouth almost kind of vibe. Now, I'm not a coleslaw gal, but I ate this coleslaw as if it was my favorite salad. I ate the coleslaw more than the macaroni salad! (which is a first) lol. Okay the Colossal onion rings and the cornbread with the butter.. bless your soul for it has woken from all the souls of food. HAHA! Service was quick and the lady server was kind enough to take pictures of our group table! There's a reason why I gave this place a 5/5- I could have given it a high 6/5 but you get it.

    Receipt
    Kay M.

    Came here for Father's Day weekend lunchtime. There was plenty of parking on their lot. There was a bit of a wait when we arrived. Got the Full Baby Back Ribs Dinner with small Fresh Cut Fries and small Macaroni Salad for $32.99. Also, got the Beef Rib Dinner with small Fresh Cut Fries and small Sweet Baked Beans for $34.99. Got another Beef Rib Dinner but with small Fresh Cut Fries and small Potatoes Salad for $34.99. The Homemade Cornbread with Maple Butter for $6.99 was a must have for us. All the meat were good and they gave us extra sauces. The Fresh Cut Fries were always a good pair with the meat. The Macaroni Salad and Potato Salad were alright. The Sweet Baked Beans was so good we ordered a separate large side of it for $4.75. Too bad the Homemade Cornbread with Maple Butter was room temperature. They used to serve them warm. It was alright room temperature. We decided to order another one to take so we can have it warm. Very disappointed they don't serve the cornbread warm anymore. The portions were very generous. One dinner plate was enough to fill two adults. Had terrible heartburn at night. Would be sure to take some medications before dining here again.

    Colossal Onion Rings (Large)
    Jasmine P.

    Delicious! Depending on how big you want portions, honestly a couple sides and an entree can be shared. Onion rings were so crispy. Wings were cooked well. We got sauce on the side. The macaroni salad was also good, not too much or little dressing. The ribless and chickless are meat without bones. Generally I like bone in my meat but, if you are trying to not eat messy then this is perfect. The meat was so soft and flavorful. Service was amazing. So friendly and our cashier walked us through the experience. And even took time to take our order and ask questions and inform us of anything we should know about the items we ordered. The place has a restaurant side and a bar side. Such a fun bbq spot. Perfect for a family dinner or lunch especially with a larger crowd.

    Sausage Link Tickler
    Ter L.

    5 stars specifically for Kira and her attentive & chipper attitude!! This woman loves her job and it shows!!!! With our family visit to San Diego, my BD mentioned Phil's. The only Phil's I knew at that point pertained to coffee. Lol. Not being a huge meat eater, I was kind of standoff-ish about the idea but since the establishment is known for being a staple visit whenever people come to SD, I had to do it. The 17K+ reviews and the 4.5 star solid rating also helped with that decision. Known for their slow cooked meats and their large portions, Phil's BBQ is a casual dining experience where you get a combo of self serve and attentive service from the staff- all rolled into one. Our family of 3 arrived for a late lunch. The meal consisted of: *BABY BACK RIB + CHICKEN DINNER $25.99 -paired with potato salad + sweet baked beans *BBQ WINGS- 10ct $11.95 *SAUSAGE LINK $4.99 *COLOSSAL ONION RINGS $9.99 *LARGE SIDE: STEAMED VEGGIES $4.75 * FOUNTAIN DRINKS $3.49/each Ribs and chicken were good. These meats were cooked perfectly- lathered in sauce and very tender. The wings were good and had a light kick to it- nothing to bat an eye over for us adults but a lot of soda breaks were needed for my toddler. Beans were delicious but the potato salad wasn't a fave. The onion rings were the biggest letdown- these were massive in size but so very dry and overly crunchy. This order essentially went untouched after a few bites. the hot link was delicious and the veggies were made well but bland. 3.5 stars for the food but because this review is specifically dedicated to Kira, it's automatically a FIVE!!!! This young lady truly made our visit to Phil's BBQ 100% memorable and very much enjoyed. Service doesn't get any better than what she's offering and her warmth provided to the patrons are unmatched! Girl, YOU DESERVE A MF'N RAISE!!!!!!

    Juliet C.

    Ahhh I love Phil's bbq so much, it never disappoints! It's always busy but the line moves fast. I feel like it's not the BEST barbecue I've had, but for the amazing service and price point, it's pretty darn good!

    Beef Rib Dinner BEFORE
    alex r.

    Well Gawd Almighty!!! This kinda beef ribs in California?!!! Simply put... exceptional. I dove right into the Beef Rib Dinner, which came with three Big Ol' ribs and your choice of one large side or two small sides. I went with the fries and put up a good fight, but these ribs won. I couldn't finish my plate. The sauce was ridiculously good--sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor. The fries were crispy, seasoned well, and honestly would be the star at a lot of other places. But let's be real... you're here for the ribs. These things were mouth-watering, tender, and loaded with flavor. Every bite had that perfect bark on the outside while staying juicy on the inside. The meat pulled right off the bone and had me questioning why I don't eat here more often. Extremely busy place but staff is helpful and efficient. Place can get loud with all the hustle and bustle but you are at a BBQ SPOT so who cares!!! If you're from San Diego, you've probably already been here or at least heard the hype. If you're visiting, make sure this place is on your to-do list. Some restaurants get a lot of praise and don't live up to it. Phil's absolutely does.

    beefy ribs
    Jin H.

    Always heard so many great things about Phil's, so knew I had to make a stop while in San Diego. I love bbq but don't think OC has too many great spots. We ordered the beefy ribs and baby back ribs, both were good but I was wowed by the beefy ribs. I was seriously full by just one, so I got to enjoy the rest at home. $35 for this is a pretty good deal. Literally fall off the bone, so much meat, smokey, just perfect. Sides complemented the meats well. I've also tried the cornbread here from the family meal and it is amazing, so much corn flavor and super moist.

    Philibuster with beans (5/18/26)

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    Page 1 of 427

    Phil's BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Phil's BBQ

    Is one meal enough for two adults?

    Yes we share all the time. Enjoy!

    Is this Halal certified?

    Great question. Not sure but it is Delicious certified. Certified by my kids loving it

    Open at 10am for early NFL games?

    Hi Joe - while we show the NFL games, we don't open until 11:00 AM. Hope to see you soon!

    Are there extra charge for using credit cards?

    Not to my knowledge.

    Do kids eat free on Sunday?

    Hey there! Thanks for reaching out. We don't currently offer a "Kids Eat Free" promotion on Sundays, but we do have some delicious options that are perfect for the whole family! Hope to see you soon!

    Is there currently a menu for dogs?

    Hi Janice, Thanks for reaching out! While we love our furry friends, we don’t currently offer a… 

    What is their health score?

    Is takeout easy at Phil's?

    No, you can't call ahead, there's a separate line which is easy but you have to wait in there for your name to be called and if you have social anxiety it's your worst nightmare. I prefer to be in and out fast but i can 100% confirm I'm never doing… 

    Is the restaurant halal?

    They are not

    Do you guys have happy hour?

    Yes - best happy hour in town! Monday - Friday from 3:00 - 6:00 PM in the bar area. $4.00: Phrings… 

    Is this location in a plaza with plenty of parking or is it street parking?

    There is a lot of parking on both sides of the building

    Can I order ahead for takeout?

    ABSOLUTELY 👍

    What condiments or sauces can you ask on the side when picking up food to go or do you have to order extra bbq sauce?

    We offer BBQ sauce, ranch and ketchup! Just ask when you pick up your food :)

    Is your meat halal?

    their best items are pork based, there is some beef but not as good

    Order to go?

    I've done it many times. If you know what their menu is already or you can look it up online, call it in and pay for it on a credit card and pick up.

    Any diary free and gluten option?

    Hi Wedyana, You can find our allergen menu here:… 

    Do they allow dogs?

    Yes - dogs are allowed on our patio!

    Do we need reservations?

    Nope! It's kinda like a fast food restaurant you order then take a seat. Then the servers come around, they also have a separate bar area that's very nice.

    How's does your phone in and pick up for orders work do we have to wait in line to pick up a to go order?

    I was there today and there's a line fir in dining & a line fir to-go orders. While waiting to dine in, I saw people walk up and confirm the phone order & the staff brought it to the counter for them. Seemed very efficient.

    Do you serve draft beer to go with to go meals?

    There's a full scale bar including draft beer

    View All 102 Questions

    Moe's

    Moe's

    4.4
    (399 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Moe's is one of our favorites when we visit San Diego. Mission Beach is our happy place and Moe's…read moreis a big part of that beach community. The cocktails, service and food is all really solid but my favorite thing is the old school feel of the design. It's dark, warm and has a nostalgic Rat Pack vibe. We love the black and white photos throughout. Nothing better than meatball Mondays when they serve insanely good meatballs and homemade Bucatini pasta (pic 12). What better to accompany that deliciousness than some signature cocktails. Some of the fam loved the "Fields of Italy." (Pic 3) It's a fresh, crispy champagne cocktail made with vodka, Aperol, St. Germain, strawberry/basil jam, lemon and prosecco. It was perfect for a summer day. I had one of my favs that has been on the menu for a while now called "Party with Elvis." (Pic 5) It starts out like a boss with walnut-infused bourbon, Montenegro (Italian Amaro), tiki bitters, orange bitters and an orange garnish. It's exceptional!!! The last cocktail in the rotation was a traditional Manhattan that always goes perfect with a plate of Italian love (pic 13). It's always classic and the Moe's staff captures it perfectly with Basil Hayden bourbon, Antica sweet vermouth and angostura bitters. If you haven't been to Moe's, you should make the effort because they never disappoint. It's easy to find bright, fancy joints throughout San Diego, but they're an elevated old school gem that's hard to find. Salute @thejohnnycocktail Fields of Italy Vodka Aperol St. Germain Strawberry/basil jam Lemon Prosecco Party with Elvis Walnut-infused Bourbon Montenegro Sweet Vermouth Tiki Bitters Orange Bitters Orange Garnish

    Delicious food and drinks. Old Hollywood vibes. They had a kids menu, so kid friendly. My daughter…read more(3) liked both the Cacio e Pepe and French onion soup. The rest of the family had filets. The mushroom side is unique and definitely should try it. The fish was okay.

    Photos
    Beautiful decor
    Beautiful decor
    Caesar (no croutons)
    Caesar (no croutons)
    Whiskey Business

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    Whiskey Business
    Doughboy's Grill

    Doughboy's Grill

    4.6
    (61 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Upbeat pop music playing Friendly staff…read more Open window seating Amazing food !!! The woman at the register helped me decide between 3 different options and I think I may have chose the most delicious item on the menu!!!! The breakfast smash was beyond delicious!!!! The chipotle mayo makes the burger come to life while the onion, egg and tater tot feel like a party in your mouth Maybe the best burger I've had, totally recommend! Only downside they don't serve alcohol but the food vibe and staff make up for it and there's a liquor store directly across from this place

    Paid almost $100 dollars for three burgers, two sides of curly fries, and three drinks…read more They were out of all other fry options right after the girl that took our order advertised tots and waffle fries trying to get my friend to do a combo. Once I order a combo, she suddenly remembers she's out of everything besides curly fries which was annoying. They then stick a piece of duct tape on their menu (?) which looked trashy but also confusing because you couldn't tell why it was there it the first place. They were out of all sodas and only had water, brisk tea, and Dr. Pepper available. Looks like no one was prepared for the weekend... The curly fries were sad and gross. It was pretty much just the left over curly fries as it was just an order of broken off pieces that you usually find at the bottom of a frozen food bag. On top of the that, the fries were fried in old oil. Burgers were ok. Not filling for the price that they are told for. The sauces are awesome but that's about it. Our food took forever to come out and I am once justified for avoiding businesses with teenagers manning it like the plague.

    Photos
    Pepperoni pizza
    Pepperoni pizza
    Greek salad
    Greek salad
    Cheesesteak

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    Cheesesteak
    Classics Malt Shop

    Classics Malt Shop

    4.8
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Came here on a weekday evening with friends. We ordered the: Mushroom burger, bacon burger, regular…read moreburger, frings, and a strawberry milkshake. I really enjoyed my mushroom burger. Juicy and large portion. Although I didn't taste the other burgers, I also received high praise from my friends regarding these items. For the frings, I thought the fries were average, but I really enjoyed the onion rings. They were fresh and had the perfect crunch. My friends got the milkshake and thought it was standard. Even though I thought the food was solid, I was truly impressed by the service. The person behind the counter was so busy but he took the time to explain the menu to me and was extremely friendly. He also didn't try to rush us or kick us out after the diner closed (we ordered pretty close to closing time). I noticed that he even took orders from people who came slightly after closing too. Other great things: easy parking and awesome looking decor. Come if you want to experience a meal in a diner setting. Overall, the food was pretty good but the outstanding service is why I'm giving this five stars. Please check it out!

    I came here on a Saturday evening for dinner after seeing the amazing Yelp reviews. It's a very…read moreunassuming restaurant on the corner of a little shopping center. Inside there aren't too many seats but it has a cool American diner feel. They have thrifty's ice cream up in the front and some counter seats. They had the TVs on playing the World Cup game when we got there. The service was prompt and good. One guy walked around the restaurant smiling and greeting everyone. They gave us extra sauces and cups of water when we requested. For food, my husband and I ordered a mushroom burger, the slap-up burger which was a double patty cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and onion rings. My favorite thing was the slap-up burger. The patty's were thick and meaty and I loved that the cheese didn't overpower the beef taste. The mushroom burger was also very meaty, but felt a little more dry to me. It came with mushrooms and bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. I added some of their homemade ranch which helped a lot with the dryness. The chili cheese fries were okay for me. The fries were a little more on the starchy side and not too crispy. I liked the chili cheese but wish the chili was a little more hearty. The onion rings were delicious. They were crunchy and had a little extra seasoning sprinkled on. The onions were perfectly tender inside and tasted delicious dipped in their homemade ranch. I was very satisfied with this meal and happy to have checked out this place.

    Photos
    Main area.
    Main area.
    Cheesesteak
    Cheesesteak
    Vanilla 'soon To Be Famous' Malts And Shakes

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