Came here before a concert at Pachanga arena since it was walking distance and had time to kill and everything was really reasonable and good, the wait though is insane, it was probably at least a 30 min wait for a table and really difficult to get a seat near the bar area. Drinks are super affordable which helps make up for the long wait. read more

See all

I rarely ever crave American bbq, but Phil's is definitely the best place I've had American bbq. Love their portion sizes, you'll always have leftovers for dinner. Their ribs, sausage, beans, all the sides are very good. Service is pretty good as well too! I will def always be coming back in SD! read more

Sad to say as a San diegan this was one of my favorite spots but unfortunately it has gone downhill. The ribs were small and tasteless, the fries had no salt. My pretzel was good. We got sit down for happy hour and the drinks felt like it didn't even have "alcohol". Our waitress was super nice and great service so no complaints about that. Just unfortunately it's not the same and so expensive. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm sad to give them a 3 but we were quite disappointed this time around! You'll see I haven't been back for a really long time so I was really excited to eat here again. My husband ate at Phil's a few days before I joined him (different location) and he said it was still good. However the day we visited and this location...sadness. We only ordered half a rack of ribs and a pickle. The ribs were dry. :( like after my first bite....I was like hm...maybe I'm just wrong....but no...they were dry. but drenched in sauce. WHICH....I think didn't help because it was just so darn...tangy! I don't remember it being so tangy and so I just silently ate a few more, but I asked my husband and he said yea.....it's dry....and he was confused on the sauce as well. He said he remembered it was sweet a few days ago. We had half left, grabbed it to-go and bought a bottle of the bbq sauce thinking...maybe it'll be different. LOL it was the same, maybe that's just what it is...maybe this batch is super tangy and tart. but it was not the jam. I am sad, I was really looking forward to Phil's.... read more

Phil's BBQ - Rib Only (Half) - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Came back here recently and just wanted to update my review. First time coming here for happy hour and definitely worth it! The bbq is delicious and the cocktails are great! We sat in bar area and didn't have to wait in the long line. I definitely recommend the brisket sandwich. No reservations needed and plenty of parking outside. read more

Phil's BBQ - Lemonade cocktail - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

For someone who is visiting san diego, this is a must try. This has got to be the place with the most yelp reviews ever. We came here around 3:30 pm hoping that there wouldn't be a line but there was still a line. I would just say plan accordingly since there's basically always a line here. We opted for the dine in option instead of ordering and finding a seat. We ordered the beef rib dinner, onion rings, and the half rack of baby back ribs. Also, we got an extra side of bbq sauce! The food was great. HOWEVER, don't expect the food to be like your typical texas bbq where the focus is on the meat and that everything is tender. At Phils, the ribs were great because of their bbq sauce. The ribs weren't really that tender but the sauce is what made it good. The portion sizes were huge as well! The service was great and it was pretty clean inside, minus the disgusting bathrooms. Love the vibes inside. Whenever friends ask me where to visit in san diego, it's gotta be this place. I wouldn't say it's a 5 stars... but it's close! read more

See all

Food: 3.4 Service: 4.5 straight forward order, wait, grab a table, eat & enjoy Flew back into SD to move my Aunt out of her apartment and wifey at a conference at Paradise Point. So after a long day, we head to Phil's since my wife loves BBQ and didn't want to fight traffic on a Friday night. We lucked out! The parking lot was empty in the back and the line to order was "short". If you ever gone here the line is usually out the door There's plenty of wall menus so while you wait hopefully you know what you want when it's your turn to order, apparently too many newbies in front of us, so ordering took longer than expected. But there was a gal checking on how large your party was so she can guide you to a table or put one together if you have a larger group, but it was just us two. We finally get to order: full rack of ribs with baked beans, potato salad and a corn on the cob...and I had their promo beer = Oktoberfest blend was delicious The food was as expected high quality ribs but who ever cut the bones didn't do a good job since the bones were breaking off so if you were eating right off the bone (which is normal not fork and knife) I was spitting out small chips of bones. Corn was still sweet considering it's out of season now and their beans had a burnt after taste (not sure if that's because they use molasses when they cook their beans). Noah kept the area clean and checked on us frequently! Overall a nice dining experience. OH BTW after we ordered the line was out the door! read more

Phil's BBQ - Full rack of rib dinner with beans, potato salad & Corn-On-The-Cob - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Phil's BBQ (3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110) Stopped by Phil's BBQ in San Diego and wow... totally worth the hype They're famous for their baby back ribs , so of course I went for a full rack (10-12 bones) -- no regrets! . What I ordered: - Pork ribs platter (comes with 2 small sides or 1 large side) - Onion rings (the onion rings are HUGE, super crispy, and so satisfying ) Side options: - Large sides: Baked potatoes, corn on the cob , steamed veggies, etc. - Small sides: Macaroni salad, fresh-cut fries , sweet baked beans , fresh coleslaw, etc. I prefer choosing 2 small sides so you can try more! Highly recommend sweet baked beans + fresh-cut fries (because I LOVE fries ). The coleslaw is also pretty good if you want something refreshing! . : They open at 11:00 AM, but come early ,I arrived at 10:30 AM and the line was already crazy ; the wait may be long but it's totally worth it for the food , the waitresses are super friendly, and don't forget to choose their BBQ sauce BEST. SAUCE. EVER. If you're in San Diego, this spot is a must read more

See all

What truly made the experience unforgettable was the customer service from Noel and Julissa. There was a small error with our order, but Noel immediately stepped in. He genuinely cared and wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to making it right for us. His professionalism and determination to ensure we left happy spoke volumes. He handled everything with such kindness and urgency. Julissa checked in on us throughout the meal, making sure everything was perfect and that we had everything we needed. Their teamwork and positive attitudes made us feel so welcome, this kind of experience is hard to come by. The pork bbq was tender and moist but the beef ribs really stood out. For the thickness it still fell off the bone softness and packed with flavors that are subtle. We tried almost all the sides and I would say the mac salad was my favorite even more so than the fries or the onion rings. The wings were simple and a bit plain and charred for my taste. We enjoyed our meal! read more

Phil's BBQ - Pork rib, beef rib, mac salad, cheese burger, potato salad, Cole slaw, fries - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Great legendary place. I was introduced to this place almost a decade ago by a really good friend. The quality of the food and the serving sizes have not changed. The food is amazingly delicious and rich. Not for the faint of heart. Customer service is always excellent and the line moved pretty fast. Would definitely visit again when in the area. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I had high expectations for this place, and I was not disappointed. The meat was tender and flavorful. The service was quick, attentive, and very kind. My friends and I sat down, told our server it was our first time, and she was so patient in helping us choose what would be best for us as first timers. She even came back with some stickers for our first visit. This will definitely not be our last visit! This is a must have when in San Diego. read more

Phil's BBQ - Corn Bread, Colossal Onion Rings (Large), Rib Only (Half) Baby Back Rib Tickler (3 Bones) - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Best BBQ I have ate with Excellent service and very helpful staff. Food was ready within 10 minutes, quality and quantity was excellent at a reasonable price. Was assisted by a Hispanic manager who provided excellent service but great vibes all around, read more

See all

Solid barbecue place. You walk in and you have to order from the counter and then you pick it up when it is ready. Quick service and very reasonable prices. There are lots of great choices on the menu. We got the half baby back rib dinner and a tri-tip tickler dinner, which was not on the menu. We got the barbecue sauce on the side with the ribs, which I would recommend. The barbecue sauce is not super sweet, and it is good, but they do slather a lot on there. The cornbread was fantastic. You must get it. The sides were also very solid. We got fries, onion rings, and coleslaw, which were good. My wife's steamed vegetables though were a little undercooked and had no seasoning. I can't fault them too much for that because who really orders that at a barbecue place anyway. Go check it out. read more

See all

This is just a leg and thigh. For me, a half chicken is 1 leg, 1 thigh, 1 wing, and 1/2 a piece of breast. I imagine that if I order a quarter chicken, they'll only serve me a wing... Honestly, I returned it and got my money back. My concern was that the manager, Aysha, took the chicken and put it back in the kitchen. I imagine that with their terrible customer service, they'll reuse that chicken for someone else instead of throwing it away... and I hope the rest of my food wasn't returned by other customers. read more

Phil's BBQ - The price for the half chicken....... - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Phils BBQ is a classic BBQ spot that I also want to visit when I'm in San Diego. Now that i moved out there, I can go more often! This location had plenty of parking and located not too far from pechanga. When inside the restaurant, there are two sides, with the left side with a server that will take your order and bring out your food. If you sit on the right side, you stand in line to order and you pick up your food from the counter when your number is called. I appreciate these two options depending on your mood. The inside itself is nice and spacious and there are plenty of seats. I typically eat on the right side but most recently I sat on the left and it was nice ordering your food and saving it brought to you. I always eat the baby back ribs and side of fries, which is filling and always have leftovers. You can also purchase your BBQ space or spice rub on the side if you enjoy it! read more

Phil's BBQ - Baby Back Rib and Fries - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Coming from someone who doesn't even like BBQ, this place is absolutely NOT overrated. It is worthy of all of its accolades! They are an example of having their craft down to perfection. The vibes inside were lively for a late Saturday afternoon. We ordered the larger order of ribs with a side of fries and mac salad. The ribs were absolutely delicious. The best parts were the burnt parts. There was nothing too sweet about them, nor were they greasy. The fries were a surprisingly excellent addition. For a simple side like that, they were so good. The mac salad was refreshing, creamy, and flavorful. I love the items they provide on the table: seasoning, hot sauces, etc. They all accompanied the food quite nicely. There are wipes and paper towels provided. Finally, the customer service was honestly really good. All this for a very very good price makes this a high value place to try! read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Came in on 11am on a Monday. Shoutout to Niko for helping us decide what to get, great service. Easy to find a booth to accommodate all of us. However, food is mid, if I were to come back it wouldn't be my choice but I'd get Beef Ribs and Corn bread again. Corn bread 10/10. Vibes are chill, I like how they have utensils, bibs, and hand towels. read more

See all

The people at the register were great and welcoming. There were plenty of seats, and I loved the sinks for washing your hands right behind the fountain drinks. It definitely got messy when we were eating. They said the onion rings were great and I loved them, I missed beer battered onion rings. The ones here are crunchy and tasty. I also liked the bbq beef rib, I think 1 would have been enough. I tried the potatoe salad and cole slaw as a side, the Cole slow was pretty good, I would skip the potatoe salad and try something else. The kids meal were good too. The fries were crunchy and flavorful, I didn't try the hotdog, but the kids loved it. The tri tip sandwich was huge too. We had way too much food but it was all still great the next day! read more

See all

Phil's is a SD establishment that everyone should go to. It's been 10 years since I lived in SD, but it's still just as good as ever! We ordered the beef rib and chicken dinner, with Cole slaw as our large side, and added the "sausage link and drink" special for $5. We also ordered a large side of Mac salad and a large potato salad, but in hindsight, we think they gave us the small versions. Which is too bad because the potato salad is so good I definitely wanted more! I'm not going to knock them tho, they are incredibly busy and we didn't pick up on it until the very end of the meal. This is the best bbq in San Diego. The beef ribs are huge and look like something out of the flintstones. The chicken is DELECTABLE! Super moist, tons of flavor. The sausage is really solid, tastes great with the bbq sauce. I didn't love their onion rings. There was too much breading for my liking. But the coleslaw and the Mac salad are truly next level. They were the stars of the whole meal. The Mac salad is also solid, but didn't stand out to me. They try to keep things moving as much as possible. We came at dinner time on Sunday, and waited for 40 minutes in line. But they really do try to get everyone seated as quick as possible. It's such a fun, casual spot, with country decorations throughout the restaurant and a wash station by the restrooms. I'm so glad they're still just as good as I remembered. read more

Phil's BBQ - Beef rib and chicken dinner, with sausage link, Colossal Onion Rings (Large), Potato Salad (Small), Macaroni Salad (Small) - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped in Phil's for a quick lunch, first good thing is we were early enough that there was no line! We were seated right away and greeted quickly by both Israel And Javier. We were toward the bar area so both guys took great care of our table through the visit. We did the el toro sandwich and the half chicken with fries and bbq beans. Our food came out quickly and it was hot and delicious. Israel and Javier were both very friendly and checked in on us a few times to make sure we had everything we needed! We will definitely be back!! read more

Phil's BBQ - Chicken Dinner (Half - All White) El Toro - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm really not a BBQ girlie but I really enjoyed Phil's BBQ. We got the baby back ribs and chicken combo, two beef ribs, the pulled pork fries, and a giant pickle. You have the option of bbq sauce on the meat or on the side, and we chose to have it added to the meat directly. The baby back ribs and beef ribs were both delicious. I personally found the half chicken to be lacking sauce and on the drier side. We got coleslaw as our side and I would rate it 10/10. If I were to go back, I would want to try their onion rings. The pulled pork fries left a lot to be desired since there wasn't enough sauce and the fries weren't crispy at all. There is a large parking lot so you don't need to fret about finding a parking space. You order at the counter before you find a table (indoor and patio). The turnaround was quick on a weeknight and we didn't need to wait at all for a table for two. Once the food is ready, the pager will buzz and you will go back to the counter to pick up the food. The restaurant is very casual. There is a table by the counter where you pick up utensils and boxes to pack leftovers. read more

There is no way to improve upon this restaurant... except maybe turn down the volume on the music, it's WAY too loud.

I am the wedding coordinator of H.events and recently worked with Phil's BBQ catering. Their team was fantastic! Their staff communication was excellent, they arrived early to the venue and were well prepared. (Especially when the parking and equipment unloading was tricky) Sean the Lead, was extremely helpful and so polite. He and his team, Allan & Dani were professional, organized, and gave exceptional service. The event included full dinner catering & bar service. All guests were raving about the delicious food & drinks creating a perfect vibe to the event. I highly recommend this catering + team. and will share my experience with future clients! Thank you, Sean, Allan & Dani!! :) read more

See all

My BBQ pork baby back ribs, coleslaw, and fries were delicious! The woman who took my order rang me up for a quarter rack of ribs even though I told her a whole rack of ribs so when they called my order number, I told the girl I had ordered a whole rack and she told the manager and he rang me up again for the difference and my corrected order was quickly ready for me. The restaurant was clean inside but kind of loud but it was a pleasant, casual environment. I highly recommend this place and I will definitely go back when I'm in town again. read more

See all

My favorite part of Phil's is I can go to a sit down restaurant, and not have to interact with a server. I can get my own refills as I please. Or if I do feel like be a little extra, I'll go to the side that comes with a server. The sausage and drink to any meal for $4.99 is worth it to me everytime. The ribs are my go to here. The corn bread when fresh is a must. I appreciate all the tvs they have, great spot to watch sports. The reason for 4 and not 5, is consistency is sometimes off for me. It's always good, sometimes great. But it's also pretty affordable considering other BBQ options in the area. read more

There is always a line a Phil's and it is well deserved. We visited Seaworld and it was an easy choice to come visit. The BBQ is delicious. My favorite is the pork ribs which come unsauced. It's smoky and tender and fall off the bone. The sauce is provided on the side. The beef ribs are beefy and the sausage has a nice crunch. The sides are generously portioned for dine in. Where can you get a full rack of baby backs and two sides for $31.99. It's well priced. Their organization and speed of food delivery is very impressive also. It's a very well run restaurant. The line is usually about 30 minutes deep but may vary depend on when you come. I have an EV and it's great to drop someone off to get in line while I go charge the car for the ride back to Orange County. Casual. Indoor seating. Please come and create your own experience. read more

See all

Great place for BBQ but I always get my order to go because I don't want to wait long lines and they have a separate line for To Go orders. I like to enjoy them at home too since the sauce gets on my face. My favorites are Pork Ribs, a side of Tri - Tip, Beans and Cole Slaw. I can't find any other good ribs in San Diego. read more

I love Phil's BBQ and I always have to dine here whenever I'm visiting SD. We came for lunch and I was very surprised to see no line even though I arrived around noon. We were at the front of the line when we were asked if we wanted to go sit in their full service bar area. They were really fast taking our orders and food also came out really quickly. We ordered: * Baby back rib & chicken dinner * A single beef rib The beef rib was definitely worth it. The meat literally just falls off the bone. Their portion is pretty big as well. We were so full splitting between 2 people and we even had leftovers. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Oh baby, baby! My friend Johann has been telling me about this place for years, but it was never convenient to go to when i was down in San Diego. Typically I would be in the area for a Padres game, and the timing would just never work out. However, this year, we went for FanFest, and the timing to grab a bite to eat worked out well. Came with my wife and kids, and everyone loved it. We got the full ribs and the half chicken meal. Both were delicious, but I liked the ribs better. I think next time I would even try the beef ribs. Be prepared for a wait. The popularity does result in a long line to order, and it moves at an average pace. We went around 3 pm, and there was still about a 20 minute wait, which probably is not that bad. My favorite part of the meal was that they had a beer special of $5 blood orange IPA! Delicious and a steal of a deal. The place is clean, well staffed, and has great food. What else can you ask for!? Hope the timing works out for me to go again! If nothing else, I'll hit is up again after Fan Fest 2026! read more

See all

It was my first time here. When we arrived, we realized you have to order your food first before finding a table, which caught us a bit off guard. We tried the pork ribs and the tri-tip. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any mashed potatoes available to go with the meal. The food itself was okay, but it lacked that classic smoky BBQ flavor I was expecting. Overall, the food was decent, but it didn't quite live up to what I had in mind for a BBQ spot read more

10/10. Phil's! You do not disappoint! The food is unlike any bbq I've ever had especially in California. The service is super friendly & attentive! The ambiance is super chill! The line is always a little intimidating but it moves quite fast based off our experience & it's well worth it!! Would totally recommend read more

See all

Food was very delicious and portion was generous. Ambience was chill and restaurant itself was spacious. I recommend the baby back rib, Cole slaw and potato salad. It's one of the best bbq places I've been to. Most importantly, I accidentally left my wallet at the table and they found it and kept it for me. I'm very thankful for that!!! read more

My parents came to visit over the weekend and Phil's is their favorite bbq to visit while they are here. We came for lunch and there wasn't to much of a line. I got a veggie burger which definitely has improved since the last time I had it. The burger patty was tender inside and crispy on the outside where when I cut it in half; it didn't fall apart like it sometimes did before. The onion ring in the burger was crunchy and delicious. Was even perfect were I was able to cut in half without perfectly. The bbq bottle was on sale so decided to get one to go. I ordered a corn bread to take home. It's one of my favorite cornbread with it having actual corn pieces; it is sweet and soft , and the butter it comes with it delicious. I just made sure to put in the fridge when I got home, being that the corn bread is made freshly every day , because the last time I purchased one, the corn bread got mold after a few days unfortunately. My mom got the el toro sandwich which is her go to . It definitely worth the cost. She asked for the bqq on the side that way she could add it as she ate. My dad got the ribless dinner which comes with a large side or two small side which he decided on large French fries. The ribs were good according to my dad. The French fries were crunch and thin type like I like them. The large size is perfect to share and there was even left over to take home . The last item we ordered was the colossal onion rings which were crunchy and the onion were soggy like some of them. The staff is friendly and efficient like always. They took our order quickly and the staff around the tables clean up the area read more

See all

I visited with my family for the first time in a while. The food was good, though it would have been even better if the beef ribs had been a bit more tender. The pork ribs and cornbread were absolutely delicious. read more

See all

Tourist trap! The food was overly processed and sauces way to sweet. The restaurant is nice and seemed fairly clean and the service was good. However cant get over the food. You visit to eat mainly not to enjoy sitting, looking at things on the wall. Of course service is important, but you hardly speak to anyone other then when ordering. Food is a lot to be desired. Still looking for good BBQ. read more

If you are visiting San Diego, this is probably on your radar. I was curious to see why this place had so many good reviews. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype. The wait line is of course very long but the 3 star is purely for the food taste. - the rib: bbq sauce is good but not amazing. Meat is way too dry. The meat doesn't have the smoky taste that you get from bbq, it was probably pressure cooked. - onion ring: nothing amazing like people said. Crunchy but very standard - wings: surprisingly good. Good seasoning. Would recommend this. - corn bread: recommend. Love the texture, a little bit of chewiness in it. The maple butter compliments well. Overall, if the wait line is short, it's an okay place to eat. But it really is nothing worth lining up 30+ min for read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Wow... From the entrance to the food and customer service was spot on. BBQ.. was Amazing... I went there with my 3 Daughters and Mom.. Best BBQ I have had in a very long time... I had the Philabusyer was .. and Colossal's Onion Rings.. Bomb.. read more

Phil's BBQ - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Phil's BBQ - San Diego's BBQ Classic Phil's BBQ is hands-down one of the best spots for American-style BBQ in San Diego, and it's no wonder the Point Loma location is always packed closed to the city center and the Sea World. The beef ribs are incredibly flavorful, with tender meat that's smoky, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone good. The pork ribs are even better -- perfectly seasoned, deeply infused with smoke, and far superior to store. The half chicken and wings are generally good choices, but the pork and beef items really steal the show. If you go for the sausage, don't miss the deal where it comes with a free fountain drink -- a nice value add as the "sausage link" . The sandwiches are huge, generously stuffed, and honestly tough to finish alone. Their sides round out the meal with lots of variety: crispy fries, steamed veggies, coleslaw, black beans, and rich mac and cheese. For a lighter option, the garden salad works well, especially if you add on some protein like a beef rib or pork rib. For those who want to share, the sampler platter (beef rib + baby pork rib combo) is the way to go. It lets you try some of Phil's best cuts, along with onion rings, fries, and coleslaw in one hearty spread. They also serve rotating "beer of the month" selections and run happy hour specials on snacks and drinks from 3-5 p.m. on weekdays -- a fun bonus if you're nearby. The only catch: expect a wait during peak hours, especially weekends and holidays, since Phil's BBQ sits close to popular tourist attractions. However, the smoky ribs and massive portions make it worth every minute. read more

See all

I should have reviewed this place ages ago. One time a friend told me about a BBQ place and went ahead and ordered their beef rib plate. It was huge and filling and I enjoyed it. When I wasn't with a friend, I would order the half and half plate with french fries and a potato salad. I also have a picture of something saved a long time ago in drafts, don't know how that got in there. If you come in at the weekends, be careful as the line can get huge. I also like that there's a place to wash your hands, lots of paper towels, you can buy their BBQ sauce, and has a lot of different options of foods to try. I have been coming here quite a bit and will continue to do so. read more

Phil's BBQ - BBQ Broham sandwich with coleslaw. Has half a pound of shredded pork - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Okay, So this was honestly just mid. Nothing to write home about. I guess maybe this is the best SD has to offer for bbq? ‍ But I had gotten the ribs and it was just okay, average ribs at best. What was good was the onion rings, those were sold!!! Large and crunchy and tasty! But that's just onion rings. The set up is like a cafeteria style, you order up front and grab your table on your own and self serve for drinks and cutlery. I had asked the manager for their best meat...and was disappointed in the ribs and wouldn't go back. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California