The western charm of this place really adds to the vibe and makes it stand out from other BBQ joints. Gives you a sense of stepping back in time. I love the old town area of Poway and it's so fun to walk around here after you're finished eating. The food here was just fantastic too! The pork belly and brisket were both melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They were cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of smoky flavor. I couldn't get enough of them. The Cajun fries were another highlight. They came in generous portions, perfect for sharing. Dipping them into the extra BBQ sauce was so much fun and added an extra kick to every bite. The BBQ sauce deserves a special mention--tangy, sweet, and absolutely addictive. It paired wonderfully with everything on the plate. The overall experience was enhanced by the lively yet relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed sitting at the wooden tables. Such a great spot to enjoy some top-notch BBQ. read more

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This is a great BBQ place. I had the salad with chicken and it was awesome with lots of flavors. I would say it could've used more meat, but still very yummy. I also got the sweet potatoes fries, sucker for them. They were great as well. Go to the bathroom before you go...theirs needs improvement. read more

Smoking J's has been a favorite since I found out about how good the food is 3 years ago now. Any time Im near by its a must for lunch or dinner. Every time I swing by Arianna always makes the experiance memorable with great service. Super happy I stumbled upon this spot. Its always a great atmosphere. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Smokin - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

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Ordered burnt ends, 1/2 rack ribs and brisket fries with beans and slaw. Food was delicious and meats were tender. Rib meat was firm but tender not dry like other places. Service was good. Seating area is outdoors in old town Poway and perfect way to enjoy the weather and food. They offer TV dinner portions which are a fun throwback and nicely packaged for pkup read more

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The food was delicious. Enjoyed the heat from their spicy bbq sauce, Cole slaw was great. Mac was clearly pre made awhile in advance so it wasn't as creamy, but more sticky than ideal. Burnt ends and fries were definitely a little more on the salty side, but that's not unusual for a BBQ place. Still delicious. I gave 3 stars because of two things: No kids menu - When you have dishes that are in the $20 dollar range, a kids menu, or adaptations to a regular menu just makes sense, and would have made it more family friendly. An (underwhelming beef patty) burger being an à la carte item that is $15.50 with no fries is kind of a bummer. My kids eat almost anything, but they're simple with their burgers with just bun meat and cheese, or for my lactose intolerant one, just meat and bun (can't imagine how parents of picky eaters would feel). A smaller portion of meat and smaller portion of fries (or other sides) would be an easy accommodation for children, even at $15.50. Even a half order of something would make more sense. It would take kitchen prep hardly any time to portion out smaller burger patties, and know portion differences for fries that go on a kids item. Customer service - Asking about kids menu items, it was a flat "no" with "we have a burger and grilled cheese". And when asked if there are menu accommodations for smaller portions, I was told that just because I ordered a burger with nothing on it, I still have to pay for the fries on the side. Which I understand, but the way it was delivered was very matter of fact like it was ridiculous I was even asking. As someone who worked in the service industry for 12 years, there would have been much better ways to deliver that information to feel more warm, and understanding as to why I was asking. Surely I wasn't the first to ask about those things. The ambiance was nice. A cute setting with a good amount of outdoor seating. It was a bummer because our friends had a different experience and enjoyed getting recommendations for their best menu items, and getting checked on after they ate (no one checked on us after food delivery). Those friends gave us the recommendation to come when our parents were in town. Wouldn't say I won't go back, but will be better prepared with expectations. read more

My wife and I were in the area and discovered this spot through Reddit, so we decided to give it a try. We found plenty of parking and, surprisingly for Labor Day lunch, it wasn't too crowded. The seating area was average, the ambiance was normal bbq joint, and the service was amazing. As a backyard smoker for a few years, I'm pleased to say this place has earned my seal of approval. We opted for the 3 x 3 and added pork belly for just $4 more--highly recommend this addition. We also tried the Cajun fries, which were generously portioned. The two of us were satisfied, though if you're very hungry, you might consider upgrading to 8oz sides or ordering the TV dinners individually. The brisket was wonderfully smoky and moist, with a delightful crunchy bark. We got some slices from the point part of the brisket, which is the better portion of the meat and much fattier. I wanna say they don't wrap it in the smoking process because of that crunchy bark. I'm tempted to skip the wrapping in my smoking process to preserve that perfect, crunchy bark, like Smokin J's does it. The rub on the chicken had me weak--it's not often I enjoy smoked chicken, but this one may have changed my mind. The pulled pork was moist and flavorful, and had that rub flavor in every bite. Pairs well with the bread, coleslaw, pickled onions, pickle and bbq sauce. The standard barbecue sauce was on point, even though the food didn't really need it at all! This place really is one of the best bbq joints in San Diego. I'm for sure coming back next time I'm in the area. read more

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This place is on the pricy side, but worth it. Excellent pulled pork and tender brisket. Above all order the Burnt Ends-they run out early.

Amazing BBQ & amazing staff!!!! Stopped by to try em out while in the neighborhood and it blew my mind Such delicious and juicy meats!!!! The Mac n cheese was so creamy and tasty!!! The baked beans....OH THE BAKED BEANS!!!! It tasted more like a chili! One of the best BBQ spots in So Cal and I've been to a lot. Keep it up guys and I will see you guys again read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Combo platter and burnt ends - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

This place is all hype. The food definitely looks good, presentation and all. Dry flavorless food, chicken, ribs, brisket broke apart and was crumbling. It was weird. The fries, corn bread and blueberry cobbler was not any better. The only thing that lived up to its name was the bean crack. The only thing that I enjoyed. They got the 2 stars for the beans and the charm in this area. read more

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Food: OK Staff: Rude. Don't go there at 7:30pm and spend $150+ because they'll remind you they close at 8pm and if you stay longer and are enjoying your food, they'll turn the lights off outside and force you to leave! What kind of business does that?!?! If they were the owners, this wouldn't happen at all. And if it was the owners, well, gotta do better. Note: Don't let people with employee mindsets run your business. read more

The BBQ was good. The coleslaw wasn't my favorite, but the mac n cheese was great. They give you tons of meat on your sandwich, I think we made 3 meals out of it, LOL. Service is very efficient and very friendly. Cute outside seating. I would definitely go back and try more food here! read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Dry Wings and Coleslaw - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

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Ate a lot of BBQ in Texas and there is a right way and a wrong way. Execution of the cook on proteins was great. Tender, yet not mushy ribs, beautiful brisket texture (with exception noted below). That was our meal choice. Some things were pretty mid. Cajun fries needed about 5 glasses of water to dilute the salt after eating 1/3 of them so I gave up. Asked the server what style BBQ they feature (any self-proclaimed pit master will play for one team with meats and sauce...Texas style, Memphis style, Kansas City style, etc.). The server did not know and didn't ask anyone else. It was about 50 degrees outside and not only is there no indoor seating, outdoors has no heat lamps. This made for a quick meal before we were too uncomfortable to sit out in the cold. Would be great to see some more greenery on the menu, even if it was fried Okra, Collard Greens, or something. No hush-Puppies either. One kitchen crew member kept spitting into a sink or trash can as seen through the order window which was a turn-off. BBQ main dishes typically offer a choice of sides. Here, it is meat, three dill pickle slices and about 2 TBSP of pickled onions. Anything else is another order from the menu. Maybe add $5 to your plate prices and offer choice of 1 or 2 sides. Now to the Brisket. Rendering fats to impart moisture and flavor is an art. Maybe it was the kitchen's end-of day protocol but about 1/3 the portion of Brisket was pure fat. Either cook it down further or carve it away when plating. Money is tight these days and costs continue to rise. Don't leave 1/3 of your fine BBQ inedible. I'm no stranger to food that you won't find on the recommended list at your doctor's office but give me a shot at eating all I paid for. I'll give it another try in a year to see if this was a night of unfortunate missteps or par for the course. read more

Really disappointing. Features of this bbq joint were great on YT, but the food was just meh. 3x3 sampler included brisket, pulled pork and chicken, plus mac & cheese, slaw and beans. Nothing was hot. The food was actually like maybe slightly above room temp. Brisket was a bit dry and stringy. The pulled pork was ok. By the time I got to the chicken, I was over it. Mac & cheese - also rather cold. TV Dinner - sausage, chili and potato salad. Sausages were the best thing we ordered. Nice snap. Chili was on the cool temperature-wise. Food shouldn't be served room temperature. Full stop. I won't be back. Much preferred the brisket at Abbey's in Miramar. read more

FIVE STARS!! Amazing BBQ!! SO GLAD we tried this bbq joint! (That place in RB gets pretty boring after a while). It is absolute deliciousness! We ordered a full rack of ribs, a half pound of brisket, bbq beans, a few corn breads and lemonade. All of it (ALL) was excellent. Especially the brisket. It's some of the best brisket we've ever had. We were so excited to eat our amazing food that we forgot to take photos- will save that for next time because we will definitely be back. The young ladies at the counter taking our order were super nice and helpful. The shop itself is pretty basic, and clean. Most people eat outside- on tables under shade trees. read more

Holy cow, what a wonderful surprise of a find. we were out in the area an went a different way home then we usually do. Saw this wonderful waft of smoke and smelled the deliciousness in the air and made a pit stop. We ordered the 3x3 platter to get a quick sample of things. It did not disappoint. If I had to find a negative in anyway the chcken to me was a tad bit dry, but I was able to hide that small misstep with their very yummy and super spicy, spicy BBQ sauce. Their picked onions and corn bread unexpected star for me too. While this is not a place that is close to us we will be making a trip to this location as often as we can. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - 3x3 platter - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

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Great BBQ restaurant with only outdoor seating on a cute patio adjacent to the parking spaces in the lot. There's also street parking all around. My fave is the burnt ends but we also got Brisket, Mac n cheese, pulled pork, and cornbread. Good selection of meat and friendly, quick service. Inside is standing room only and really just for ordering but with cute bbq decor. We've been twice and I'm sure more to come. read more

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This food is amazing. The staff made perfect recommendations! The food came out super quick, it was hot and delicious. Schelbee did an amazing job giving us her picks, and making sure we felt comfortable. BEST CHICKEN WINGS EVER! I could not have been more impressed. read more

Overall the food was very good, the barbecue sauce that came with the meal was delicious & the swell definitely hit the spot! For the loaded fry's it's Cajun fries, Mac & cheese, & meat of your choice (we chose chicken! You have the choice between dark or white meat for an additional charge of $2.50) Service was quick and easy. The seating is outside, they do have fans/umbrellas for hot days and the tables were very clean. ** They do offer military discount ** read more

I have to say that that smoked half chicken is so juicy and delicious. I normally pair that up with the bean crack. It's a perfect meal. I've never had it dry it's always super moist. read more

First time trying the wings at smokin J's. Not satisfied with the offering . First off there was only one wing and 5 drumsticks. When you pay for wings you expect wings not drumsticks. read more

Very good BBQ that's worth the drive to Poway. The Smokin J's Sandwich - Brisket, pork belly, and slaw piled high on a toasted brioche bun. It was an enjoyable flavor bomb that had some of the best pork belly I've ever had. This is a MESSY experience for sure, so be sure to grab a fork. The sides are equally tasty. I've been to Terry Blacks Barbecue in Austin Texas and I thought Smokin J's was better. I'll upgrade to 5 stars if my next visit was just as good as my first one. - I've seen their gift cards at the Costco off Carmel Mountain Road. But I haven't seen them at other Costco locations. - This small place is very popular even during off hours. There's a large park across the street with plenty of places to sit and eat. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Smokin J's Sandwich - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

Excellent choice for food and service. Old Poway is lucky to have this yummy pulled pork in their hood.

Amazing spot located in Old Poway. Plenty of shaded seats/tables right outside. Everything tastes great, but my personal fave is their burnt ends. Try their TV dinners, you won't be disappointed. read more

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Their pork belly is to die for!!!! Crunchy and juicy...melt in your mouth!!! Sooooo good I ordered brisket, ribs, pork belly, mac n cheese and bean cracks. The brisket was tender and flavorful. Surprisingly, as a non-bean eater, i liked their bean cracks. They smoke the best right outside the restaurant. The inside space is small and no seating but outside seating is available. read more

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Smokin J's is definitely my go-to when visiting Poway. Great service, and pickups are very painless, in and out. I order the brisket every time, and it's been fantastic every time. I'd like to see the menu expanded to offer more seed-oil free options, such as fries cooked in lard/tallow, etc., seems like a no-brainer for a BBQ. The safe options they do have are worth the trip though. read more

Always run out of burnt ends. Bbq pork sandwich was half fat. They do not serve beef ribs like a real bbq place should. Was not impressed bc it did not have that deep bbq Smokey flavor read more

Won't come again. Ordered a take out here, and I standed there waiting to pick up the order that is ready on the counter, but the staff who was serving the food for dine-in customers didn't even bother stop for 5 seconds and help me. read more

My husband and I, along with our doggie, came here for the first time tonight! First impression was how clean it was. After going up to order everyone was so friendly and happy to help me decide on what to order! Then the food was absolutely delicious... finger licking good has never been so real. My husband gave it a 10/10. We already knew we had to come back because between the 2 of us we could only order so much and everything on the menu looked good. Really couldn't pick a favorite but the Smoking J sandwich was unforgettable. Ryan took our order and was just an all-around a nice, friendly person who came over and chatted with us and gave our dog Zion some attention! So not just great food but excellent customer service so they just gained 2 new regulars (3 if you include Zion). Can't wait to come back for round 2. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

Came in with a big appetite after a hike. Walked in to order and then chose a table outside to eat. We brought our dog because they are dog friendly. After a short time, they bring out your food with a giant container of BBQ sauce. The food was DELICIOUS. Best BBQ in San Diego. The Breakfast J-tito: Smoked brisket, over easy egg, cheese, tater tots in a toasted tortilla. So much flavor in one bite, and adding the BBQ sauce is dangerous. The Bean Crack: delicious beans and meat! Nothing else to say! The tables outside are cool and covered by shade. There is plenty of seating. Will come back again! read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Bean Crack - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

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If you're looking for some authentic Texas style BBQ in San Diego then this is definitely the place to go! Their brisket is so juicy and melts in your mouth. We usually go for the sandwiches when we come because the only meat options are a little too much meat for us. But their sandwiches are really tasty. Today's special was the spicy brisket melt and it was sooo good- had melted cheese, pickles, and the brisket was so tender. I also always recommend their chimi fries! Their fries are cooked perfectly and it's topped with chimichurri and more brisket. Although it's a little pricey, you can tell they put a lot of effort into cooking their meats. The place is in the middle of Old Poway and they have cute seating outdoors. Their service is really quick as well! read more

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We had Smokin J's cater our rehearsal dinner. My husband and I tried out 4 different bbq places in San Diego and Smokin J's was the clear winner! Out of all of our vendors for our wedding weekend Tommy and his team were the most responsive and seamless- hands down. All communication was so fast and consistent. Day of, the food came on time and they took care of all the set up to have such amazing catering. Even some of our guests said the food they had from Smokin J's was better than the food we had at the wedding. We even had friends go to Smokin J's in Poway the day after the wedding they loved it so much. If you want bbq for your celebration - you need this team! read more

Great food and good service. Easy to order catering for an event too. Its located in old poway which is a great area to walk around.

Our party of 20 was taken care of. Food was amazing and came out quickly. They do sell out of certain meats so I recommend arriving early. Bbq sauces were perfect. Not too sweet. Not too spicy. And they do have different options read more

We visited on a SJ BBQ on a Sunday afternoon, lucky for us it was quite empty, winning! Patio area was clean and had plenty of outdoor seating, no indoor, which is visible from their site-Yelp! We were greeted upon entering and ordered quickly. Merchandise was located inside for purchase, which we looked at while waiting. Nice relaxing vibe with good BBQ. Their BBQ sauce is Smokey and peppery I.m.o, I favored it next to ketchupy/ sweet bbq sauce. Ordered: 3x3, 2 grilled cheese with fries and a brisket melt. I lived the spicy brisket melt, it was gooey, sweet and spicy. The crisp pickles were so good! A great texture combo, the jalapeño kick was unexpected but so delicious. Overall I enjoyed it as did my family, nice spot to take family or just have a beer with a friend. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Brisket melt, look at the cheese!!!! & Crisp fries - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

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Been to this restaurant two times now and it is a pretty solid BBQ spot. The service has been friendly and helpful and it's got plenty of outdoor seating (dog friendly). I've had the Smokin J's sandwich (one of their most popular) which was a heavy one but good if you're into that. I've also had the boneless rib sandwich which was a little disappointing since it was supposed to come with pickled onions and I couldn't find them on my sandwich. For sides, the Cajun fries were good just very salty and the mac n' cheese was disappointing, flavorless and had a chalky texture to it. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Boneless Rib Sandwich and Mac N' Cheese - Caterers Near Me - Poway, California

Restaurant and Takeout food have gotten exponentially expensive over the last several years--especially after Covid. When it comes to pricey BBQ, the standard for me in the San Diego area is Phil's BBQ; their quality is consistently good, and variety/availability are reliable. So...why Smoking J? I had some good expectations based on recommendations from friends, so I had to try them out...boy was I dissatisfied. Where do I start?... Smoking J's in Poway closes at 7:45pm. I got there at 6pm on a Thursday only to find out they were out of ribs. I figured I'd try again the next day, but earlier. On Friday 11am (when they open), I called them to see if I could reserve some Ribs for later (6pm pickup)--so I won't miss out again. I was told (by a young-sounding female worker) fine, but to call in again by 5:30 to secure the order. The order I placed was a whole rack of ribs, 1/2 pound of brisket, and some sides (small bean crack, coleslaw, succotash, and large brisket chili). All eventually cost me about $120. I called at 5:30. An older-sounding male answered, and I was told that no order can be 'secured' unless it is paid for. Then he said that he did have my order, but they would not assemble it until I paid for it. Fearing I would again miss out on the ribs, I rushed over there. When I got there, I noticed their signage on the counter said they were out of ribs. I was relieved when I got to the front of the line to find that they still had my order of ribs. Apparently, they'd been "holding" on to them. When I got home, I enthusiastically looked forward to eating the BBQ with my family. We were disappointed. The Ribs looked burnt and were very dry & salty--as if they'd been sitting under a heat lamp--or something. The small sides were VERY small--too small for their price. The brisket was also small. I weighed it--it was only about 10oz--not 1/2 a pound. The brisket chili was almost inedible. Way too salty and tasted burnt. My final evaluation: Overrated & Overpriced. Next time I want some expensive BBQ, I'll go back to Phil's. read more

Smokin J's has great BBQ and delicious Mac and cheese! It's a small interior with outdoor seating. You order inside and get to enjoy the view of Poway's historic Old Town area. The workers here are friendly and can help you decide on what to get if you don't know! I have eaten the Smokin J sandwich and I enjoyed it. My favorite meat on it was the brisket. I prefer to just get a 1/2 pound of meat, specifically the brisket. The brisket is delicious! I love eating it by itself, but the spicy bbq sauce goes nicely with it. The Mac and cheese uses shells and the flavor is great! If you enjoy good bbq, check them out! read more

If you haven't been in for a Smokin'J sandwich then you've been missing out! Smoked brisket with pork belly, slaw and add some BBQ sauce and you are in for a delicious meal! They've been doing great BBQ now for a couple years and jest keep getting better! read more

Best BBQ in the area! The service is good. Employees were courteous and able to make recommendations. The ambience is great on a cool day because they only provide outdoor seating. read more

Cali J burrito and smoked ribs. Highly recommend. Come hungry! There is a school across the street so unless you like the sound of a crossing guard's whistle, avoid 2 read more