Phil's BBQ crushed it. I got the full rack of baby back ribs with double fries and honestly, I could've kept going if I wasn't already in a food coma. Ribs were super tender, saucy, and full of flavor. Fries were crispy and on point. The place has a fun, no-frills vibe -- loud, busy, and smelling like BBQ heaven. Staff was cool and quick with the food. Definitely coming back. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Great place for family and love the ribs. Wide open area for lots of family. Lots of good choices of food here my favorites always the beef ribs with the macaroni salad. read more

Been coming here for YEARS and I am never disappointed with service or quality of food. The manage always comes around asking how our experience is and if there's anything they can do for us. Waiters are always around asking if we need anything as well. They are quick to serve and have AMAZING customer service. Would recommend EVERYONE to come and enjoy this food and service!!! read more

This location in Santee was rockin last Sunday afternoon. They did a great job of clearing tables which allowed our wait time to move pretty quick. Our party of 3 only waited about 15 mns for a table. Having servers help bring your food to the table is a nice touch. Price is about average for good fast food these days. 3 brisket sandwiches, 2 plates of gigantic onion rings and 3 bottomless sodas came to about 66$ before tip. Plenty of parking. Wheelchair accessible, fun atmosphere (not quiet), great food. We love eating at Phils. read more

Thought I would go eat at Phil's BBQ after work since it's still early. Ordered beefy bone dinner with one large side at 4:51pm. Wasn't busy at all and a few people ordering to go. I waited for over 20 minutes while watching all the takeout orders being served even the ones after me. The waiter was nice and apologetic for waiting so long. It wasn't his fault. I would understand if it was busy, but it wasn't. There are other options around. Probably won't ever come back again. It's already overprice, so waiting that long for heating up old food is not worth it. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

See all

Been back a few more times and I have had more than enough experiences to say that my initial review was no damn fluke, the bar area is the place to be and the Saturday crew is f#cking legit. Abby and Cass, we're looking at you! Seriously, the 8,582,734 reviews about Phil's will let you know that the food is good, that's a given, but this little machine that keeps the bar from dying of thirst and that puts your cardiologist on high alert continues to get my praise. They remember more than your face, not just your name, not your "go-to" ribless/chickless (sauce on the side) with coleslaw, but also your poison - a vodka/soda for me. Cass and Abby got you! Seriously, Saturday is the day to sit at the bar here. The gals will talk football with you (the 49'ers? Really Abby?) and build a vibe, that's for sure. It's football season, now get me loaded(ish), you two! read more

Decided to try out this Phil's location in Santee! We came by around 1PM and there was no line with lots of seating. Compared to the main location...I personally preferred the less hectic feel here. Staff was friendly. We weren't too hungry, but two of us ordered: -beef rib dinner, sauce on side, small fries, small slaw $32.49 -large caesar $8.49 with chicken, extra $3.75 Beef rib was quite pricey but was very good. Definitely recommend getting small sides since portions are large and you get the variety. I do enjoy Phil's locations since they have a lot of DIY stations. Drinks, utensils, hand washing stations, etc. Easy parking in the plaza as well. They do charge an auto service charge (I believe around 10% or so...so keep that in mind). Solid spot! Highly recommend this location to beat the wait! read more

We went to Phil's bbq for a bday dinner and we had Isis as our cashier. She was so welcoming and has a great personality. Very welcoming and helped guide us with our order. Love her smile and sense of humor - Thank you so much Isis. Hope to see you again. You are awesome read more

Food was great got the bbq service was quite efficient and the ambiance was fun with lots of sports to watch on many tv's in bar area.

Phil's BBQ in Santee was great. We had a group of 20 for dinner after a funeral. We reserved a large table to acomodate our group. 3 of us got there early and the table was not ready yet. The manager profusely apologized and was waiting on another party to finish to setup for us. By the time everyone arrived it was ready. She worked very hard to make sure we were taken care of and all went well. The food was excellent and the staff were extremely friendly. read more

Mac salad and beef ribs never disappoint, some of my absolute favorite along with their El toro sandwich. I also recently tried their cornbread for the first time and I was very pleased because it was very soft and came with this maple butter on the side. Service is usually pretty quick and you can always find a nice clean seat!! read more

See all

Ordered 2 platters with beef ribs dry with the BBQ sauce on the side. I hadn't had them in almost a year and a half. We were so excited and got them to go about 20 minutes away. The sides of baked beans, onion rings, and coleslaw were great! Now the most important part the beef ribs were over half inedible!! They were just globs of fat with Barely any decent bits of meat. The meal was so expensive and we were so let down. It seems like they definitely have cheapened down their meat. read more

Phil's BBQ - Beef Rib Tickler meal, Broham sandwich, sausage link, 10 mesquite wings, extra beef rib - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

The food was delicious. The ribs were moist, seasoned, and easy to eat. It was a perfect portion for me, since I was able to take some to-go for lunch or dinner for another time. The macaroni salad was creamy and in small bits, which I thought was really cute. The coleslaw was very fresh. There was a lot more than I was expecting. The staff is nice and patient. You just go up to the counter to order, and you just pick up food at the side of the counter. The restaurant really gives off a bbq restaurant vibe. There are lots of TVs that keep you updated on any sports games going on and play the games as well. Overall, great time to go out to hang out with friends or family. read more

Phil's BBQ - Fresh Cole Slaw (Small) Macaroni Salad (Small) Beef Rib Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Great place for family to visit for BBQ and also very nice staff. The food is hot and delicious.

went to phil's bbq today. excellent food and service. love their bbq. =)) clean and such yummy food.

Food 8/10 The food was great! Had a quarter rib dinner and that was more than enough for 1 person. Service: 8/10 The line to order was long and finding an open table was challenging but the staff were nice. Ambiance: 8/10 The place is packed all the time and a little loud sometimes but you can still carry on a conversation without having to yell over the table. read more

I have been to the other Phil's BBQ but prefer this location. There was a shorter wait time to order, and it was easier to get a table. Inside was spacious; they also had TVs, giving a BBQ/sports bar vibe. I ordered Baby Back Ribs & Chicken Dinner and Mango Margarita. The ribs and chicken were good. The meats were tender, but they did not have a lot of smokiness flavor. The sides (coleslaw and mac salad) were okay, too. The margarita was excellent. According to the bartender, the Mango Margarita was one of their bestsellers because it was a good pair with the ribs and chicken. The prices were reasonable, and the portions were generous. The best thing about this place was its service. A staff member went around the room to make sure everything was good with the diners, and he also took the plates when we were done. read more

See all

We came here after the safari park, so we were starving. It was our first time here and the lady at the front taking our order was helpful in answering our questions and giving us time to curate a filling meal. We went with the full rib dinner that came with 2 small sides (we got potato salad and baked beans) and a quarter piece of chicken to share although we could've done a half chicken, it was so good. We picked up the food from the counter and the chicken in itself sold me because it was so juicy, the ribs were also super tender and sauced perfectly. The place was pretty packed and bustling for a Monday. Would definitely come here again. read more

See all

We are here from out of town with a group of 30 people. We saw a large line but Noah helped us out and ensured we got some tables. Anthony took our orders and was great. The ordering process is smooth and amazing for a large group Don't let the long line discourage you. It's fast and the food was amazing. Eddie the manager was working hard to ensure everything was smooth. Overall the best experience Thank you Noah and Anthony For taking care of us. read more

my family and I alwyas love coming here. the food is delicious and that staff is always so friendly. Landen stuck out to us on our last visit because he was so attentive and helpful. love the family friendly atmosphere here. recommend to anyone and everyone. read more

The Philibuster is a top 10 burger in San Diego. However fearing the burger at first because it was the size of my head, it was phenomenal. The building esthetic is so amazing giving a feel of a Texas establishment. The easy accessible drink stands with amazing sweet tea, plus the sinks for a quick hand wash. Our busser William was fantastic! Constantly taking our trash and empty plates constantly checking up on us. Great job Phil's I will be back! read more

Lunch was good - two of us....chicken and sandwich, then we noticed the bill when we were home.....20% gratuity added onto the bill. They did not even tell us? not catering....not a large party.....was it written somewhere and we missed it off the large menu board? I guess we did not need to leave the extra cash tip. Fries were cold. read more

I usually go to the Sports Arena location, but the wait to order and a table can be forever. My friend recommended Santee and I was delighted! Plenty of seating and parking on a Friday night with a shorter wait time to order. Food was great, but the service was outstanding! The cashier was friendly and repeated the order so there would be no mistakes. There were runners checking regularly on diners and clearing plates and trash. We were in the mood for beef ribs and they did not disappoint. The one disappointment was the sausage link. I have been wanting to try it and was sad at how soft and bland the link was. The good news was I was allowed to add the $5 link and drink deal to my rib tickler! read more

Phil's BBQ - Beef rib ticker on right, add-on sausage link on left and beef rib dinner with corn in back - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Came for the the ribs. Was very pleased with the size and taste of the beefy ribs. Pros: Great quality bbq and sides. Lots of beer in tap. Cons: Expect a long line. (pro tip try getting a seat at the bar for small parties) Overall: Great spot to come for BBQ and a drink. Try the beef ribs, you will not be disappointed. read more

Phil's BBQ - Beefy Rib & Chick-Less Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

See all

On a trip to the area, Phil's was highly recommended. They didn't disappoint! Huge portions served fast with great French fries and onion rings. The pulled pork sandwich is definitely a knife and fork item for it is far too big to pick up. We were here in a car tour and I'm glad that we had the opportunity to enjoy this great venue read more

First, Phil's is always a good bet for hot BBQ and I've been eating his food since he had only one location. I live close so I come here often with my kids. My one and only gripe is consistency. Consistency of quality and consistency of quantity. Last night it was the latter. For some reason, despite the steamed veggie side only coming as a large side, what they gave me was barely a half amount of what they usually do. I brought it up to the manager and he happily said we can put in for more. Given that the cauliflower barely filled 1/4 of the plate that's what I expected him to say. But the problem is this shouldn't have gone through to the customer. The people grabbing the orders and putting them out for pick-up should not have let this one through. Not the first time I've dealt with stuff like this. As a customer, I shouldn't have to worry about whether I'm getting what I paid for every time I go. Phil's has always been in my rotation for places to eat and will always be. Just do better is all I'm saying. Oh!!! And those kid-sized water glasses? Really? With ice they hold like 6 ounces tops. You know how many times I have to refill? Like, a lot. Can us adults get regular sized glasses for water? Maybe? read more

Phil's BBQ - Rib-Less Dinner with only half of a large side - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

See all

Still have the best bbq beef ribs anywhere! They are moist & meaty . Service is fast and the line always move efficiently. read more

Phil's BBQ - Waiting for my food order that I just placed. - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

I've passed through my share of Phil's BBQ restaurants. This one may be the best. Service on point. The food was excellent. What surprised me is their liquor menu and the price point. Much more affordable than your average bar in town. This might low key be the spot to catch a drink and some games. They had a decent set up for watching sports at the bar. read more

Phil's BBQ - Half rack of Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Our server, Will was excellent and so attentive. And the manager , Carla is an outstanding communicator and has done an excellent job of training her superb and friendly team. The ribs are the best I have ever had and we love coming to Phil's BBQ. The sides, baked potato loaded and delicious, and the coleslaw is excellent and onion rings are amazing! The store is spotless, the sauce is amazing and Phil's we have never had a bad meal or bad time at Phil's in Santee. read more

Phil's BBQ never disappoints. Burgers, ribs, and the BBQ wings are always good. Happy hour has great prices on food and drinks. Staff is always quick on attending you and very friendly. Always best to come during the week to avoid crowds during the weekend. read more

Phil's BBQ - Baby Back Rib Tickler (3 Bones) and BBQ wings (Happy Hour) - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Food was great as usual. Food gets the stars and food servers, as well as order takers. Cleanliness not so good. Hand Wash station only had water, paper towel machine out. Soap dispensers out of order and, empty. Wife said ladies room needed attention and told the worker which took immediate action. Only complaint is on hand wash station requires attn. Employee said soap dispenser is broken but no sign up about that trash can by hand wash station overflowed also. read more

I was craving BBQ so a friend and I decided to fulfill this craving for BBQ at Phil's! When we walked in the door, the restaurant was very crowded so I figured the food must be delicious with this kind of busy crowd! We were greeted by friendly staff who efficiently took our order. The hospitality here is very welcoming and pleasant. Chicken wings were ordered, and I normally don't eat them but I decided to try them. I do not like deep-fried food or wings so I was happy to hear their wings are BBQd! I had 10 wings to share with my friend who helped me eat them because there were so many. We both are watching our calories so we split the wings. I also had a side of broccoli and Cole Slaw to share. The wings remedied me of a special family BBQ recipe because they were cooked to perfection. The flavor was so indulgent and packed with abundant spices whatever their secret recipe is for the seasoning, it was incredible! They also gave me a good sized container of BBQ sauce and Ranch for dipping. The BBQ sauce was tangy and sweet and well you already know Rancho is always a winner! Before heading out, Sergio and Jesus both of the Managers were kind, helpful, and professional. They both went out of their way to help with providing a bag and two boxes to go because there were so many chicken wings my friend and I could not finish! BBQ Cravings? Make sure you head over to Phil's BBQ! They deliver the best BBQ, atmosphere, and food ever! They make you feel right at home! Love it! read more

See all

Honestly once you get out of your car you get hit with the smell of some good bbq. The food was amazing and the portions were pretty good size. Not bad for 80 bucks. The establishment has a cookout vibe to it. They also have a bar there in the cut so there are single seating accommodations read more

See all

Time for a review update of this location. Still offering friendly service. They have knowledgeable staff. Plenty of seating in dining room. We chose to order "to go" this time. NOTE: since COVID, no call ahead to go orders accepted. Order and pay at counter. We waited less than the quoted "15 minutes" after placing our order. Our order was mostly correct--only missing one requested Ranch dip for the onion rings. Portions adequate. Prices average. Would return. read more

See all

Greatest ribs you'll ever have, the service is impeccable & love the atmosphere in the bar area, too. You can never pass up some Phil's BBQ

We just had the greatest experience at Phil's! We've been coming here for many years for the awesome BBQ. Today we were helped by the nicest bus girl, Brooklyn. She was so kind and happy and helpful! If you're the store manager, you should give her a raise!! She's definitely the kind of person you want in your restaurant! read more

Phil's BBQ - Brooklyn and the birthday boy! - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

I give him a big fat zero. They've recently changed their takeout services and now you can only order by going in ridiculous old people can't do this shit not a good change. I will not be going back to Phil's. read more

Phil's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Santee, California

Great variety of meat options and majority of food is very tasty. The baby back ribs and the Caesar salad were my favorite. We got baby back ribs, the baby back beef and chicken dinner, one sausage link and a Caesar salad. For sides we got fries, coleslaw salad, backed potato and the baked beans. I wouldn't order the baked beans or the baked potato again but the rest was good. The service was great and our food was ready quickly. They have a happy hour starting at 3 pm so we enjoyed some wine and beers for $5/drink. Average pricing and it's pet friendly if you eat in the patio (always a plus to me!). Overall a good place to enjoy some American BBQ. read more

See all

The only times I eat BBQ are when I"m visiting Dad in San Diego or visiting friends in Austin. IMHO, the Phil's location in El Cajon is more accessible than Sports Arena and it's also relatively close to my Dad's retirement community. I either get the Ribless Chickless meal or the pulled pork sandwich. Both are delicious especially if you douse them with the tangy, spicy house BBQ sauce. The house sweet tea is great especially if you cut it with the unsweetened tea so that it's not super sugary. The staff are friendly and attentive! read more

We visit the Pt Loma location OFTEN! We LOVE Phils. We found ourselves in Santee with a baseball tournament... went in for dinner and our rack of ribs were very fatty and just not edible. One of the serveres/perhaps asst manager named Noah came by asking us how our dinner was.. and I shared about our dinner. He was so kind and immediately brought us new ribs! I love when Customer Service WINS! Thank you Noah for taking care of us. We will absolutely be back! Thank you! read more