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 - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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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

I was expecting a bigger location since I think about BBQ joints in other parts of the U.S. are typically quite large with a lot of seating, Smokin J's is fairly small with some outdoor seating. You order inside a small area and they bring the food to you. Service was quick and friendly. The 3x3 Combo Platter is a great way to try a variety of their meats. Overall I was a bit disappointed in the meats. The best one was definitely the chicken. Tender and flavorful. The pulled pork was pretty dry and just okay. You really needed to add bbq sauce to this. The brisket was not tender/juicy/moist at all. The cut itself didn't have that layer of fat marble which would've added that moisture and tenderness. We ordered a cut of the pork belly too and this was actually the next best cut of meat next to the chicken. The sides were a mixed bag. The bean crack was decent and I enjoyed the chunks of pork in it. The coleslaw was nothing to write home about. The Mac and Cheese looked the best, but was not seasoned at all and lacked any real flavor and was our least favorite. The best side was the one we added which was the candided yams. Really delicious and cooked great read more

Smokin J's BBQ - 3x3 Combo Platter (w/added side of Candied Yams) - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

You really can't go wrong here. It's owned by two brothers who are from the mid-west. They cook everything with a wood burning smoker. My friend came down from Long Beach to eat here with me. I've ate here a few times already, but this was his first time. It's been a while since I've been here even though I live nearby. I love how they extended the patio and the restaurant. Ample seating and shade and love that it's a dog friendly patio. We ordered the burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, brisket and bbq chicken wings. They even have TV dinners that come with two sides. They ran out of bbq chicken though when we ate here on a Friday around 2-4pmish. The service was quick and staff were extremely friendly. I do wish they had corn bread on the menu. Good drink selection in a glass bottle type. The bbq sauce is just Best bbq sauce I ever had. My friend loved Smokin' J's as well. If you're looking for good BBQ, this place is it! P.S. If you do not want to drive this original location in the old Poway location, they have other restaurant locations on Miramar Rd and the newest location in downtown Gaslamp San Diego. read more

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The food was great! But not my go to! The service was beyond great and felt very welcomed as a first timer! Gave some great historic vibes and you can smell the food from a distance! Brisket is Tasty, fresh and couldn't complain. Ribs were tasty as well but felt the BBQ sauce is what gave it all the flavor. Wings lacked flavor and were average for the pricing. Mac and cheese was average as well. Still enjoyed my meal! read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Brisket - 1/2lb 10/10 Ribs - 1/2 Rack 8/10 Wings 7/10 Mac N' Cheese 6/10 - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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.

Be careful what you order... 1/2 pound of Brisket for $19 is actually 1/4 pound of Brisket, and the other half of your plate is just gristle ... don't take my word... see the photos read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Brisket - 1/2lb - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

Smokin J's can do no wrong! I've always been displeased by the bbq I've come across in SD and it's because all along the answer has been tucked away in Poway in a little blue corner store. When I'd occasionally visit the Saturday farmers markets, I'd always get to the end and catch a glimpse of Smokin Js, but was never in the mood for bbq in the morning. It wasn't until I saw a video pop up on my feed from a food blogger highlighting the juicy goodness and smoked to perfection meats from here that made me solidify my dinner plans. Since the first time trying it, there was a point where we'd grab dinner here AT LEAST once a week. My go to order is the Chimi Fries and a sweet tea--if I'm feeling extra carnivore-y I'll order a pork belly or two. They also use to make "Cowboy Candy" which I believe were pickled jalapeños that would really set the flavors of the Chimi fries on fire when you put them on top, but they stopped making them because it wasn't a popular ordered menu item ): Bring the cowboy candy back please!!!! And of course, their bbq sauce is elite, you could drink it. A very very casual eatery with only patio seating, it really gives you those Summer cookout vibes. Every time we've visited, the staff is a young bunch and full of energy, very eager to give recommendations. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Chimi Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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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 - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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

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

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

This place serves the best bbq sandwich, and their service is equally impressive! Smokin J ($16): tender brisket and pork belly that were seasoned and even better with the smoky and slightly sweet bbq sauce, 10/10 rating! I've told the friendly lady at the front counter that I was a first-timer here. She recommended that I order the 3 x 3 in order for me to sample a variety of their bbq goodies. I've told her that is usually my plan; however, I was on a self-created food tour to sample foods from multiple restaurants, and this was my final spot. There is no doubt that I'll return here to sample more of their food. Regarding the atmosphere, it was somewhat quiet since it was about 30 minutes before closing on a Monday night. They do have ample outdoor seating, while the small indoor space is only for ordering. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Smokin J ($16): tender brisket and pork belly that were even better with the smoky and slightly sweet bbq sauce, 10/10 rating! - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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Atmosphere and service was okay. Food was absolutely horrible. The most dry brisket I've ever had. Mac and cheese came out cold and very bland. Pulled pork was okay but also pretty dry and bland. read more

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

This locally owned Poway bbq place has innovative sandwiches, tv dinners, and even awesome breakfast bbq. Their breakfast bowls and burritos are very tasty s d filling. The counter service is very helpful and friendly. They can answer any questions about their menu. The restaurant has lit outdoor patio seating that is cute and charming. We loved their tv dinners which gives you an appropriate portion of bbq and 2 sides for one person. Their bbq chicken is one of the most tender and juicy chicken around. We love this bbq place!!! read more

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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

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.

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

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 - Barbeque 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

I'm over the moon about this place. Their spicy brisket melt sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten anywhere any time. Their spicy slaw is fantastic. Eating these dishes with a good, cold beer is the equivalent of heaven for me. 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

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

I was visiting oldtown inPoway; It was lunch and I was hungry. I happened to be close to Smoking J restaurant. After looking them up on Google and read several positive reviews, I gave it a try. I ordered a Smokin' J sandwich, their signature sandwich. When the plate came out, there were two roasted hamburger buns, withBBQ beef briskets Texas style inside, with some shred red cabbage with the briskets. After tax and tip, the bill came out to be $21 bucks. The BBQ beef was good, the service was friendly. However, for $21 and all you get is a BBQ sandwich with no fries and NO side salad. I must say inflation must flew by me a long time ago. If INFLATION is this high, I WILL STOP EATING OUT!!!! Not satisfied with what I received as a customer. ha ha ha read more

Smokin J's BBQ - What I paid for the sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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Found this place on Yelp after hiking. Food was 10/10. Ordered the brisket, Smokin J - the best BBQ place I've been to. Service was great too! Highly recommend if you're in the area. Ambiance was super chill and relaxing - outdoor sitting area. 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

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

**May 2023: Monday Afternoon Visit** My friend and I were in the mood for BBQ and saw Smokin J's as a contender to fill our bellies. It's located in a cowboyish themed plaza and there's ample parking. Seating is all outdoors and patrons order at the counter. My friend and I wanted to try everything so we opted for the following 3X3 ($21.35): This is a really good value and you're able to try everything. It included 1/4 pulled pork (kinda dry), 1/4 brisket (okay), 2 pieces of chicken (juicy), 3.5 ox of mac n cheese (good), slaw (solid), bean crack (solid) and a slice of white bread. Boneless Rib Sando ($12.99) - This was fantastic. The meat was tender and the brioche bun was nice a soft. I would order this again. Swell Bottled Sodas ($2.78) - I tried the pomegranate and really enjoyed the bubbles. It was sweet but not overly so. If you want something casual and filling this will do the trick! 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

What a gem! Best for warm weather as there is only outdoor seating. Food was amazing! Good portions for the price! Staff was very friendly and helpful. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Loaded Fries with Mac n Cheese and Pulled Pork - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

We were in the mood for some BBQ and were passing through town during a road trip. We ordered online and immediately received a phone call letting us know they were out of one of the meats we ordered (sadness, but great of them to be on top of things!), so we changed our order. We ended up with the Cali J-Rito, Succotash, and Cornbread. The meat in the burrito was heavenly. The fries were great too, but we could have done with less in favor of more meat, although there was still a lot of meat to be had nonetheless. The slaw in the burrito was also a nice touch. We weren't able to have the sides fresh, but they were still really yummy reheated. Definitely a place we'll return to if near one of their locations. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Cali J-Rito - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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Amazing food. Brother lives in TX and this stands out amongst it. Great location and super nice staff too!

Food is great, outdoor seating only. Would be great if it was a bit cleaner outside between customers

Good portion size ($15) for their TV dinners and got the $2.5 "mystery beer" which was more of a flavored wine but was decent. They have outdoor dining, 4 beers on tap and it's a very casual atmosphere. Quality of the bbq and sides are good. $20 for this meal and I was pretty full and satisfied. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Tv dinner with pulled pork, Mac and veggies - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

The pulled pork at Smokin J's was flavorful and I especially enjoyed the burnt tips. The brisket was dry and lacked seasoning. I was a bit disappointed in the side choices and I had to ask for my beer 3 times before it was brought over when I was almost done eating. The outdoor patio space was nice. read more

Smokin J's BBQ - Pulled pork - Barbeque Near Me - Poway, California

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

I normally don't go out for bbq because I'm not a carnivore, but this place sure knows how to smoke their meats! The chicken was so tender and juicy! The pulled pork was also very juicy! The tri tip was good, a little on the dry side. I would come back for the bbq chicken and pulled pork (on a warm day) at . What's missing here is the variety in bbq sauce. I like mine with a little kick, but they only offered one type of bbq sauce. You order at the counter inside and they bring food to your table, which is outdoor only. They had heat lamps, but they were mounted too high and didn't provide adequate heat. We came on a chilly day, so we quickly ate and left. I would not recommend coming here when it's cool and gloomy. read more

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All outdoor sitting. We ordered the bbq wings, and brisket chimi fries. I placed an order for the churros and will rate that later. The people inside did great us very ecstatically and gave some information on where to find the menu and if we had questions just ask. The drinks can be from Swell locally made in San Diego, water and some beer options. read more

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