Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Smokin J's BBQ

    4.4 (1k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Smokin J's BBQ Takeout or Delivery

    Services - Smokin J's BBQ

    Allergy-friendly catering

    Catering

    Gluten-free catering

    2 More Services

    Vegan catering

    Vegetarian catering

    Smokin J's BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    More like Smokin J's BBQ

    Recommended Reviews - Smokin J's BBQ

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ari R.

    This is beginning to be a habit! Smokin J's is located in the Old Poway Village Shopping Center. A beautiful and historic part of Poway. It's the exact type of place I look for when I travel. Fortunately for me (but not my waist line) it's close, convenient, and open seven days a week! They have an extensive menu of delicious barbecue items that will satisfy everyone in your party. My go to is the pork belly taco. Although it's not prepared consistently (sometimes the pork is one large piece and other times it's chopped). I prefer it whole, but it's always tasty either way. I also like the brisket sandwich. My new favorite sides are the crack beans and cornbread (perfect texture and density). They don't have beef ribs on the menu but I was told they sell it once in a while. Bonus: gift cards are sold at Poway Costco.

    Pork belly sandwich baked beans n mac n cheese
    Landon B.

    Pretty sweet bbq place outside seating with a good view of the historic poway train yard. I had the pork belly sandwich which was really good. They were out of corn bread to i went with the baked beans they were okay. Beans with celery kinda leaves a funny after taste. Bbq sauce was okay spicy could be more spicy but its poway soo ya know. Over all pretty good.

    Buffalo wings
    Joshue T.

    Bbq was amazing always is Can't complain. One on my To-go places. Cant go wrong the wings are a bit different from last time but still good. The Mac n cheese is the reason why I drive all the way up to Poway. And the. Tri tip is always good

    1lb of brisket $40
    Maria C.

    Our group of about 30 came on a Sunday afternoon. Seating is very limited so keep that in mind if you come with a big party. They don't take reservations and it is open and outdoor seating (no indoor seating is available). Lots of free parking available in the lot or street parking. It's the type of place where you order at the counter and the staff brings out your order. There could be a long line depending on the day/time you go. I opted to order the 3x3 which ample enough for 2 people to share! I shared my entree with my daughter. Since we aren't fans of beans and cole slaw, I requested an upgrade to the Mac n Cheese and they were able to accommodate. My meal came with brisket, pulled pork, chicken leg and thigh, cornbread, and mac n cheese. The flavor was real smokey and the bbq had a nice flavor - not spicy and not sweet. Surprised that everything was delicious! The brisket is my favorite and in fact I ordered 1lbs of brisket as takeout. I paid about $80 which isn't cheap but a solid spot as an option to eat out in the area.

    Jay C.

    This is a small jewel in a old neighborhood in Poway. People working in the restaurant are friendly with family like vibe. They are one of few places that offers dry rub BBQ around here. The BBQ is good. I guess was not how I wanted to be but, there was many customers taking togo so, I guess is popular here.

    Breakfast brisket burrito
    Nancy H.

    We heard their breakfast menu returned to the Poway location so we just had to come back to see if it was as delicious as we remembered! But I have gotten accustomed to their regular burritos at this point, so which burrito would I choose? Well, we came at 11AM and both the brunch as well as the lunch menu were available, so we ordered from both menus! We ordered the breakfast brisket burrito ($18), Cali J-rito ($19.25), and cajun fries ($6.50). - Breakfast brisket burrito: I did not take a picture of the brunch menu (to provide you the specific ingredients), but there was a hefty portion of brisket and a runny egg inside. It was just as delicious as I remembered. - Cali J-rito: If you can't make up your mind regarding whether you want pork belly or brisket, don't worry about it. There is a giant helping of both stuffed into this burrito. - Cajun fries: I always order these because the seasoning is out of this world, but I never understand why the fries are not crispy? I generally take them home as leftovers to reheat and crisp up in my air fryer. ONE DAY, I will try the other items that I am desperately wanting to try (brisket hash, melted bird, boneless rib sandwich, brisket chimi fries), but when I show up I automatically crave the burritos. The main drawback from the whole dining experience is the only option for outdoor dining. WHY is it so hot yet the outdoor fans are not turned on? I was sweating from the spicy BBQ sauce (TOO spicy. I much prefer their regular BBQ sauce and homemade ketchup) and the oppressive heat. Also SO MANY FLIES. I don't know if they grow them bigger in North County, but the flies were huge, had no fear, and kept trying to crawl into my paper bag of fries. I don't think I can come back this summer for dine-in, only take-out. The bathroom is for the entire shopping center (doesn't belong to Smokin J's). There is only a hand dryer so for those of you who do not like touching the door knob with your bare hands after you've just washed them, I would recommend bringing a paper towel with you.

    TV Dinner with brisket, beans, & cornbread
    Edwin C.

    Overall Food: 3.0 but BRISKET = 5.0 Customer service: 2.0 My brother recommended this place for their brisket. So he had my wife at "brisket", LOL And off we went to Smokin' J's BBQ We ended up parking behind the restaurant; be aware that there is no seating inside and only outdoor tables and chairs. Not a deal breaker for us since we are visiting & staying at a hotel. It was a slow Friday night (maybe due to the rain); so the girls at the counter were more worried about their conversation than us. I didn't really care but a nice acknowledgment would have been appreciated. And I asked one of the three young girls for recommendations and she couldn't provide one since she apparently doesn't eat the food, but state "we're famous for our brisket"...hmmmm? So I just chuckled and grabbed their menu then ordered: TV Dinner with brisket , beans & cornbread & another TV Dinner with pull pork, Mac & cornbread. We waited/stood (not waiting outside in the rain) for our food; 10-15 minutes later and we're heading back to the hotel in RB. Uncovering our dinners was literally food in compartments like an "old school" TV Dinner Now to the food: wife get to her food first (while I'm getting the dog's dinner ready) and she eating like a champ then gets full really fast and leaves half of her brisket portion for me. I'm thinking to myself the brisket is no good or she's just full from the beans and cornbread. So it's my turn: pulled pork was weird when some parts were dry and some parts moist but taste was okay; then I added some of their bbq sauce and it made it better to eat, but IMO bbq pulled pork (or any bbq) shouldn't need sauce if done right. Cornbread was more of a dense cake and on the dry side and their Mac was dry as well and not cheesy, so more like baked shell pasta with cheese with a hint of jalapeño. But the entire SAVING GRACE IS THE BRISKET!!! Now take it by the time I got to the brisket it had been sitting for about 20++ minutes but when I took a bite, it was still moist and tender and everything brisket should be: seasoned, smokey...and now I want more just texting this review!!!! So when we're back in San Diego, we'll be back to maybe try the other meats but definitely ordering THE BRISKET!!!

    TV dinner dark meat chicken
    Ashley A.

    This place is always great. Brought my coworkers, and they are already planning our next trip. I got my usual TV dinner of dark meat chicken, slaw, and mac. The spicy BBQ is the best. My coworkers tried the tacos, which were highly recommended for next time, and the burrito, which my coworker said was good. When we left, we saw a table get an order of cheesy fries with meat on top, and the portion was large. We are definitely planning to try that next time we come.

    Tina C.

    Hands down the best bbq and customer service! Professional, friendly, and patient with answering all our questions. Plenty of outdoor seating. You can purchase the seasoninga and sauces. My favorite was the Cali-J-rito, it was so delicious, on the larger side, and I could not stop eating it even tho I was super full. I loved the slaw, it was vinegar based more than the mayonnaise type. Everything was fresh and flavorful.

    Wooo!
    Leland S.

    Had a freebie for one of their bread pudding. So here I am and here was my experience. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking and plaza parking. I didn't have any issues. Seating: All outside seating but a semi-patio setup. There's room for maybe 30 people, 10 groups. Vibes: Welcome to Poway! It has a nice small-town feel to things. This area in particular gives a Western feel to things from the buildings to the history. The spot itself is nice. I enjoyed being welcomed by the smokey bbq scent and the pop music. Great for a food adventure or if you're trying to cater for a sizable event. FOOD: 3x3 (Recommend) For those decisive people (like me) this is a good choice. Three mains (brisket, pulled pork, and chicken) and three sides (mac & cheese, coleslaw & pickles, and beans). I enjoyed everything about. The meats were cooked, smokey, and seasoned (don't forget to get some bbq sauce). The mac cheese is gooey and the beans are smokey sweet. Bread Pudding (Recommend) A generous slab of bread and sweets. Best served fresh to enjoy the soft, crunch, and warm sweet caramel. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Awesome! Friendly people that are knowledgeable with the menu and quick with service. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Good selections, delicious food, and pleasant vibes. Philz may be the most popular bbq spot in San Diego but this spot gives a good run for its money. If I'm in Poway, I'd certainly consider coming back here. All the best to Jeremy/Josh and the rest of the Smokin J's BBQ team! TIPS: * Check out their website for the weekend menu!

    May 2025 menu
    Huyen N.

    Outdoor seating. Order inside and wait for your order to be delivered at the table. They were quite busy during lunch but our order arrived at the table quickly. Out of everything we ordered, the brisket was the most liked item. It was nice and tender, with the perfect amount of fat. Least liked item would be the pork ribs, which were too dry and salty. The burnt ends were a little sweet for our liking but their side BBQ sauce was good. The brisket chili was actually good, too. I bet it would taste better on a hot dog. Overall, food was ok. It's not worth the price, though.

    Bertha B.

    It was worth the drive we live in Fallbrook and was looking for good Bbq found this spot. We were hesitant on going but just decided too and we are happy we did! It is such a cute restraint with outdoor seating. Lots of options the cashier whom helped us was so knowledgeable and helpful with the menu knowing we were newbies. He was so professional and recommended great options. The pull pork and brisket were 10/10!! We will definitely be back

    3 x 3

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marty B.
    28
    180
    441

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ari R.
    210
    351
    3521

    16 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joshue T.
    1
    62
    141

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria C.
    1876
    3135
    9889

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Thanks so much! Glad you held out for us this time :)

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leland S.
    1388
    1707
    2056

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David N.
    6
    269
    623

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sandra L.
    43
    251
    162

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    We normally love smiling J's, but we just picked up brisket and ribs to go and both were dry and overcooked.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael K.
    41
    196
    24

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeremy G.

    Jeremy G.

    Thanks so much Alicia, hope to see you again!

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 26

    Smokin J's BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Smokin J's BBQ

    Are the ribs pork or beef?

    Pork ribs ( not baby back )

    Is potato salad NOT gluten-free? It doesn't have the GF markings on the menu.

    The potato salad is gluten free

    Can I substitute a different meat for the whole chicken in the family platter? I am allergic to chicken.

    You can substitute a rack of ribs for the chicken or extra pulled pork or brisket

    Do they have Shiner Bock?

    YES!!

    Is smokn j's Pet friendly?

    It's mostly all outdoor dining. We brought our dog.

    Any vegetarian options?

    Salads, succotash, potato salad, quesadillas (not on the menu, but just ask and they will make it), and a bunch of sides.

    Why is your phone number not working?

    We do not have call waiting. If we are on the phone with another customer please wait a few minutes and then try back.

    Do they serve beer? Shiner bock?

    They serve beer but I don't think they still have the shiner bock anymore.

    Is there gluten/dairy/soy free options?

    Aside from the obvious items (buns, Mac n cheese, pecan pie), everything is gluten and dairy free. The only thing we have that has trace amounts of soy is our bbq sauce.

    View All 10 Questions

    Review Highlights - Smokin J's BBQ

    The Smokin J sandwich has brisket, pork belly and coleslaw and is one of the best barbecue sandwiches ever.

    Mentioned in 48 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Kaleis Kitchenette Catering - Wonderful! Excellent food, responsive and timely. The kalua pork is amazing!

    Kaleis Kitchenette Catering

    (47 reviews)

    Rancho Penasquitos

    Wow!! What a wonderful caterer. First, I had the greatest experience working with Andy and his…read morelovely wife. Such nice people. I really appreciate their professionalism and attention to detail. Andy even came before the event to scope out the space and do a dry run. Second, the food was amazing! We had a work event for 275 people. I continue to hear from coworkers how good the food was. You must order the roasted pig- the star of the show. We also had the island style fish and huli huli chicken. Highly recommend both. Loved the sides and the dessert was amazing! I could eat the banana bread with chocolate chips and coconut butter mochis every day. Yum. Thanks again for an amazing event!

    Out of a 5 star rating, I would give 100 !!! Kalei's Kitchenette, I can not thank you enough for…read moresuch a caring and personalized service, INCREDIBLE food, and new friendships made. I originally wanted them to cater my wedding and while we didnt quite go that direction, I loved them so much and wanted to support them so badly that I circled back with them for my DREAM rehearsal lunch. I had a crazy idea that I wanted to do a kamayan style lunch to celebrate my Filipino heritage and they were not only super onboard but even brought the flowers to bring it to life (unexpected and almost made me cry lol). Garlic Chicken, Lechon , Lumpia , Veggie Medley , Garlic Rice, Pancit - it was all SO GOOD. My family and friends told me they were drooling over it like 10 times before we could even give our thank you speech to start the meal - and once eaten, everyone RAVED and also kept asking where the food was from (which of course I raved about back). A huge mahalo to Khara who has been the sweetest soul and rock to lean on when bringing the vision to life , Morgan who stepped in with administrative coordination, Chef Andy of course for the DELICIOUS meal(s), and the whole Kalei's Kitchenette ohana. This will not be the last of me, my family, or my friends , so until next time! Thank you so much again!

    Coast Catering - Tuna tacos

    Coast Catering

    (141 reviews)

    Truly, the best decision we made for our wedding was hiring Coast Catering. From our first…read moreinteraction with Yvette, we knew right away that this was the right choice for us. My husband and I are big foodies, so ensuring that our guests had a fabulous dinner was number one on both of our lists... They surpassed every expectation we had, and our guests were completely blown away by the food. (Literally, while I was dancing with my father at the wedding, all he talked about was how incredible the food was! Lol) Six weeks later, and our friends and family still tell us almost daily that it was the best meal they've ever had! We served lobster caviar cones, ahi tuna tacos, fig newtons (my absolute favorite!!!), and sliders. Every single bite blew us away! For our main course we served the filet mignon, and the sea scallops. The filet was cooked perfectly, and they really were the best scallops that I've ever had. Barry and his team went above and beyond to make sure everything was absolutely perfect. The entire staff was friendly, attentive, and made our evening so special. We had several friends and family members comment on how lovely the team was. Yvette was unbelievable in the very best way. She created the perfect menu for us, and her communication was absolutely fabulous. She made the entire process a breeze! Wedding planning can be super stressful, but Yvette made it so easy. She was wonderful to work with, and was super communicative. We so appreciated her throughout the entire process! If you were looking for caterer, there is nobody better than Coast!! They are the best of the best, and true professionals. We can't wait for our vow renewal so we can have the privilege of working with them once again.

    This is an absolutely STELLAR catering business. My brother hired them for his wedding, and they…read moreDID NOT DISAPPOINT. The dishes came out together, and the bride and wedding party got served first. The dishes, despite being plenty in amount, all came out warm and beautiful in appearance. They were constantly going around delivering dishes, cleaning up plates, and refilling water. I'm immensely happy with the experience. The staff were all wearing matching uniforms, so they were easily spotted and were also incredibly professional. Shortly after the ceremony, they came out multiple times with the hors d'oeuvres and sought out people who had asked to try the next batch when the plate was empty. They were very thorough and offered multiple times to make sure everyone was satisfied prior to the dinner. During the speeches, they were respectful and didn't come around or get in anyone's way. They definitely can work around a crowd without being obstructive. I highly recommend that if you need to cater an event, you hire this company!

    Buckboard Catering & Events

    Buckboard Catering & Events

    (134 reviews)

    We hired buckboard to cater our backyard wedding and everything from our initial tasting, back and…read moreforth communications and day of service was amazing. Raquel was our coordinator and she made sure all the details aligned with the needs of our wedding. The food was incredible and we even had plenty of leftovers for a gourmet meal the night after our wedding. Thank you Raquel, Anthony and Deb for making our special day so spectacular and memorable. Highly recommend buckboard to cater your next event!

    What makes a great reception and wedding day, food and the bar... Buckboard was a true highlight…read morefor my husband and I, and our guests! The food? Absolutely unforgettable. Every course, from the appetizers to the main courses, was incredible and beautifully presented. Many of our guests reached out about how it was simply such good food. One of our deciding factors was the fact that Buckboard is actually a restaurant here in San Diego, so their food was not just "wedding food" but actually restaurant quality. We fell in love instantly after our tasting. Knowing they are a local San Diego restaurant gave us so much confidence in food quality, and they absolutely delivered. Their service on the day of our wedding was seamless. It felt like everything was handled effortlessly, which allowed us to enjoy the day stress-free. My husband and I planned our wedding on our own and one of the biggest reliefs for us was that Buckboard took care of so many details - from linens, plates, and bar service to the propane for the heaters. Having one point of contact for everything was a great aspect. We truly didn't worry about their services at all day of. Buckboard's familiarity with our venue was another huge plus. They worked in perfect harmony with the venue staff. And as a same-sex couple, we were deeply touched by how welcomed and respected they made us feel throughout the entire process. We wholeheartedly recommend Buckboard Catering for their incredible food, great service, and outstanding communication. They made our wedding day not just special, but unforgettable. Thank you, Buckboard, for everything, you're truly the best!

    Taquizas José

    Taquizas José

    (626 reviews)

    $$

    This is your sign to book with Taquizas Jose! Awesome food and a super communicative, professional…read morestaff. From the moment we inquired to the day of the party, we received several emails confirming the location, setup area, menu, and guest count. I had zero concerns about their ability to execute the plan, and I especially appreciated their 48-hour final confirmation. Our guests (95 total) raved about the food. We ran out of beef a little earlier than expected, but our people do love to eat and appreciated that the staff didn't skimp on portion sizes. I think my guests took "all you can eat" seriously--LOL. My only suggestion would be to let Taquizas Jose know if your group loves to eat, as you may want to factor that into the amount of meat they bring. We've been feasting on leftover beans, rice, and tortillas this week--thoroughly enjoying it. Safe to say no one left hungry, and we're still enjoying it days later. 10/10 would (and hope to) book again for any event!

    I had the chance to try this food truck at a birthday party where they catered for two hours (all…read moreyou can eat), and it was a great experience. They set up a table in the backyard and warmed the tortillas fresh before serving. I tried a taco with half chicken and half beef. There were plenty of topping options including onions, cilantro, guacamole, cactus, rice, beans, and red or green salsa, so it was easy to customize. The taco was delicious. I also really enjoyed the roasted veggies they offer. They were a great addition to the meal. The food was tasty and the setup was efficient.

    Smokin J's BBQ - catering - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...