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    The Fire Spot

    4.5 (784 reviews)
    Closed • 4:30 pm - 10:30 PM

    Waitlist - The Fire Spot

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    The Fire Spot Photos

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    THE FIRE SPOT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Fire Spot

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    Kayla Y.

    coming from oc, i think it's pretty tough finding good/comparable kbbq anywhere else. however, this place exceeded my expectations! came in for a. early dinner and got sat pretty quickly. the servers were sweet and patient as we figured out the menu. the meats were tender and there was a good selection of banchan. it's a pretty small place, and it does get quite busy so keep that in mind. i would come back!

    Jalissa T.

    A KBBQ spot that is up there for myself. The meat cuts and quality are really good but not enough selection compared to other. Along with the sides, there is not a whole variety but enough-- you will get your money's worth if your focus is on the meat haha. Couple of things you will smell like kbbq heavy but that's a given at any bbq. Came in a Friday night and that place was PACKEDDD, really wanted to try and give it a shot so my group and I did wait for about 2 hours..

    Sliced brisket and marinated short rib
    Elisa L.

    We came around 12:15 pm and missed the first wave of seating since they open at 12 so we waited about 75 mins to be seated around the 1:30 pm. Inside is pretty small and tight which is why there's always a wait. Service was friendly and but we did have to flag them down as they were pretty busy. We ordered the regular menu at $37.99 per person. My favorites were the marinated hand cut beef and marinated short rib. They were both nicely marinated and flavorful but the short rib was a bit fatty. The sliced brisket was decent but pretty peppery and too thin. The black pepper finger meat was also peppery and too chewy and tough. The zucchini, corn cheese and steamed egg were pretty good sides. The charcoal grill gave it a nice charred flavor and cooked the meats quickly and the hood made it less smoky which was nice.

    Short rib, brisket, rice, and corn cheese
    Allison L.

    Our party of 3 came around 12:15PM and missed the first seating, so had to wait about 75 minutes to be seated around 1:30. It's pretty small and tight inside. It was busy so understandable that staff didn't check up on us too much, but they were friendly. We chose the regular menu at $37.99 per person. My favorite meats were the marinated hand-cut beef and short ribs. The brisket was very thin and pepper-forward which isn't my personal favorite. I thought the meats were all of good quality and nicely marbled. The corn cheese and steamed egg were solid too, but the latter was a bit salty. The charcoal grill was hot and cooked quickly so some meats would burn easily.

    Jennifer C.

    High quality Korean BBQ that's known for their coal fire method of cooking the meat. Also bonus points that I didn't leave feeling like I just left a smokehouse. We came on a Saturday at 11:30 to get ourselves on the waiting list. They opened at 12. We were the first in line to put our name down on the list but immediately after there was already a long line. Once inside I can see why wait times are long. They really only have like 7 long tables that can fit up to 6 people each. We decided to go with the deluxe version of the menu for $4 more since others in our group recommended the cold beef soup and the prime cuts. Meat came out really fast and we were able to start cooking right away. I do wish some of the marinated meat options we got were less sweet but that's just a note for me in the future to not order those. My favorite cut was the prime cut steak. Service was very friendly and they always came to check in and see if we wanted to order anything else. Never felt rushed to leave either.

    Lulu S.

    It was honestly so amazing and I wish I was local so I could go more often! Highly rec putting your name on the waitlist as it can get really long! We waited about an hour and went to grab beers nearby but it was totally worth it!

    Menu
    Phing T.

    Dear diary I was always hearing good things about this place and decided to finally go. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. But you have to go at least an hour or two earlier to get on the waitlist because they are busyyy. Parking is also very limited so you might have to park on the street. The restaurant is definitely on the smaller side but the ventilation is great and the place is clean. The vibe is lively and upbeat with music playing in the background. We selected the deluxe plan and it is more food than we can ever finish. The meat was great quality and the side dishes were awesome. Their sauce is also on another level compared to other places. Even though it was busy, the staff were friendly and attentive to our needs. They were also really helpful when we have questions. I would recommend trying this place but make sure to arrive early to get your spot on the waitlist!

    Corn cheese
    Mirei K.

    This was my first time trying this place out and definitely one of my most favorite kbbq place for sure! I really liked the charcoal grill and their meat quality was so good. I also think they have the best corn cheese! I also appreciate that they have a fan for each grill so there's not a lot of smoke in my face while eating and food came out relatively fast too. Definitely come back here again!

    Denny V.

    We came here Saturday for lunch. It opens at 12. But our friends who are regulars suggested us to come early to put your name down on the yelp waitlist. We came 40 mins early and was able to be first on the waitlist! We were able to get seated right away at 12. The inside is very clean but there were a limited amount of seating especially with the long outside. So would definitely baking that into your time when coming here. Everything was high quality! The meats and the side dishes were all top notch. But the big draw was that the grill was char coal! Which definitely adds a nice flavor to the meat compared to your normal KBBQ. One thing I appreciate is that we never felt rushed even though you can see the line outside. Will definitely be back.

    proteins
    Anthony D.

    This is one of those places that's always busy. Be prepared to wait anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, so getting on the waitlist early is key. Once you're seated though, service is quick and attentive. The big draw here is the charcoal grill, which gives the meat a distinct smoky, charred flavor that sets it apart from your typical gas-grill kbbq. Meat quality is solid across the board and the variety is great, especially on the deluxe menu, which is definitely worth the upgrade for cuts like prime steak, marinated beef, and black pepper finger meat. Overall, Fire Spot is a great spot if you're in the mood for kbbq with that charcoal flavor. Go for the Deluxe option and don't forget the corn cheese!

    Round 1 start!
    Christopher C.

    My favorite premium KBBQ in San Diego. You cook the meat over an open fire which gives an awesome texture and flavor over traditional gas KBBQ restaurants. Come around opening so you can get on the waitlist and get seated immediately. The premium menu is only 4 dollars more than regular. It has prime rib eye steak, beef tongue and prime cut steak. The music inside is also good.

    Side dishes
    Nate C.

    I've been meaning to try this place for a while now and I finally went for Sunday night dinner. Checked in at the restaurant and there was an hour and a half wait time. We knew this spot gets pretty busy so after we checked in we went for drinks around the area to pass the time. Plenty of options within walking distance if you wanna pre game before you eat. Our server Aaron took very good care of me and my date. Very patient and attentive and always making sure we were ok. He knew it was our first time so he gave us a few recommendations for meats we should try. The black pepper finger meat and the marinated hand cut beef were our favorite cuts. Very tender and juicy - probably the best meat quality of meat I've had at an all you can eat place. The charcoal grill in my opinion is a game changer. It gets that smokey flavor on the meat without having a greasy mess like other kbbq spots. The wait may be a bit long but I promise it's worth the wait.

    LINA M.

    I've been eyeing this place for so long and can't believe I waited this long to try. It's in a super busy plaza and parking is nonexistent in this plaza unless you get lucky. I came at opening on a Monday. There was already a long line and long waitlist ahead of me. I got there at 4:30pm at opening and I was 18th in line by the time I signed up for the waitlist. We waited for the 2nd round which the host advised everyone would be another 1.5 hours until 1st round of customers finished. Understandable. We left to go kill time elsewhere. I did get a text about 1 hour later that my table was ready. We were excited to try being that it was charcoal and our 1st time instead of usual propane. We really enjoyed the experience and there was no grease splatter nor did we feel too full because of all the fat drippings. It's a small place with a good amount of tables so getting multiple rounds or the servers' attention can be a bit of a challenge but once you flag them down they don't miss a thing. We got the original menu and everything was good. We enjoyed trying all the sauces and even requested the dry sauces. Some of the dry dips made the meats really salty so the meats were good on its own. Overall I'd say we had a really good 1st time experience and really enjoyed the charcoal taste. Now... would I come back again and wait that long? The waitlist can seem a bit overwhelming and I noticed it turned a lot of people away. I don't know.. possibly lol but I wouldn't wait on a hangry day.

    marinated lamb & skirt steak

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    3 months ago

    -1 star because the plaza is just so crazy busy and parking is difficult to come around, but the fire spot is indeed fire!!

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    The Fire Spot Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Fire Spot

    Do they have a Non-AYCE Option? Also do these still offer Skewers?

    I'm hosting my friend's birthday dinner here and was wondering if they could personally store a cake in the back until we leave the restaurant. We'll be eating the cake outside but do you think they'll be able to do that?

    Hi, Samee . For sure we can storage your cake in our refrigerator , we can also provide party plate for you if you decide to eat the cake at our place, thank you

    Hi, how much is the price for 4 year old? Thanks

    They charge by height not age.

    I have a niece who has allergies, what is in that red pepper dipping powder?

    How much is it for a kid?

    We paid $14.99 for kids (ages 6 and 9) on 3/10/2024

    Does anyone know if they will be open for Thanksgiving?

    Just called , they open on thanksgiving

    Any idea if they will be opening next week?

    I really hope so. I've been waiting for this like Christmas is coming. I'm going to drive by tomorrow and see. I'll update you.

    Anyone know what happened to Fire Spot? We came on Saturday night and it was closed.

    Supposedly there was a fire. I hope they re-open soon.

    Do they take reservation for a party if 6?

    Do they have vegan options?

    Outside of the veggie condiments that they give such as the banchan, kim chi, lettuce or radish, I can't think of anything that you could actually throw onto the BBQ itself.

    When reopen for dine in or out? Thanks.

    They just re-opened for indoor dining a couple of days ago. Great as usual.

    Does the Fire Spot have a reopening date set yet? Love this restaurant!

    What days and time do you open now? It's been really frustrating to see Yelp saying you are open, but when we went or planned to go, it is not open!

    Hi, Chang We opened for dine in, business hour is from 5pm to 10 pm Monday to Friday( close on Tuesday) , 12pm to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday,… 

    What time do they open?

    They open at Noon (12)

    My wife just has the gastric bypass and was wondering if we can share we have the bipass card?

    You could always order the all you can eat, and she can order a plate for herself. That's what I do when my kids come since they don't eat much.

    Is there kid AYCE price? If so for under what age?

    For kids 6-12, deluxe plan is 11.99 and original plan is 9.99. Under 6 is free.

    Do we need to come as a group or individuals are also welcomed?

    You can do either. There are no restrictions.

    Is it true they don't have rice paper?

    they do have rice paper, you just have to order it.

    Where are the meat stored? Is this served from a fridge or are the meat stored on a buffet cart? Pick your own?

    You select the meats off a menu and they bring them from a fridge in the back.

    View All 27 Questions

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    Buga is my absolute favorite KBBQ spot in SD! They get everything right, from the appetizers to…read morecorn cheese. Me and my friends highly enjoy this place as our go-to spot, the meat quality is great and so is the service. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking to get KBBQ.

    This was one of the worst AYCE Korean BBQ experiences we've had…read more We came as a group of 8 people and paid $54.99 per person for AYCE, with a 2-hour time limit. The biggest problem was that the restaurant's service was so slow that we could barely enjoy the food we were paying for. The side dishes came out quickly, but the meat took 15-30 minutes to arrive every time. Even with 8 people, when we placed multiple orders, they would only bring 1-2 orders at a time instead of bringing everything we requested. We constantly had to ring the service bell and chase someone down just to get our meat. At one point, we waited about ONE HOUR for our meat. How is that acceptable for an AYCE restaurant with a strict 2-hour limit? We are paying $54.99 per person, not paying to sit at a table and wait for food for half the allotted time. There was also a female server named Anne. I called her over and explained that we were still waiting for our food. She took note of it, but then walked away while looking at me and saying something in Korean. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but the attitude and interaction felt extremely dismissive. And then the experience got even worse when we went to pay. We spoke with the manager about what happened. To be fair, the manager was nice and listened to our concerns, so I want to acknowledge that. However, while we were speaking with the manager, a Vietnamese-speaking male employee/person interrupted our conversation and made an extremely disrespectful comment to my friends, basically saying that if we didn't have money, we shouldn't come there. Then he actually asked what kind of car we were driving. Seriously? We came to the restaurant with money to PAY FOR OUR FOOD. We were not asking for anything for free. We were explaining that we received terrible service and spent most of our limited AYCE time waiting for food. Why does what car we drive have anything to do with the service we received? Making comments about whether customers have money and judging them based on their car is incredibly unprofessional, disrespectful, and completely inappropriate. We were already disappointed with the slow service, but that interaction completely ruined the experience. If you don't want customers complaining about slow service, then provide better service. If you charge $54.99 per person for AYCE with a 2-hour limit, customers should reasonably expect to receive the food they order within that time. Instead, we spent a huge portion of our dinner waiting, ringing the bell, and repeatedly asking for our food -- and then were made to feel like we were somehow not good enough to eat there. The food is not worth being treated this way. I would not recommend this place, and after this experience, we will not be coming back. Management should seriously address both the service delays and the way customers are spoken to. A restaurant can have an off night, but making insulting comments about a customer's money and car crosses a completely different line. 1 star. Extremely disappointing

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    Friend's House Korean - 36. Seafood Udon

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    4.0(1.4k reviews)
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    I've been wanting to come here for awhile and today is the day. Went on a Saturday afternoon and…read moresurprisingly there was parking. If you know Convoy you already know how difficult parking is. 5/5 We were seated right away once we got in the restaurant. The customer service here is seriously amazing. Staff kept coming back for water and refilled our soup and kept making sure we were good :) 5/5 I love the interior with the wood and the patio seating. There is plenty of seating 5/5 The food is soooo good! We got a mixture of dishes. Army stew, kimichi fried rice, grilled pork, and bibimbap. 5/5 Everything is sooooo good here! I'd recommend it.

    Nov 9, 2024 It's…read morebeen 6 years since I ate here. I came with a friend, and saw I ate here before with the Asian Foodies MeetUp. I feel the same way, the food is expensive, and portions small. I ordered grilled mackerel, but it cost $20 for two fillets and a bowl of rice. Mackerel is just about the cheapest of fishes, sells for $2.29 a lb at Zion Market. The taste of the mackerel wasn't very exciting, I couldn't taste the grill flavor, and I wish they put some marinate on it. The dish I really wanted is Beef Bulgogi (but I like pork better) but it cost $27 and I couldn't bring myself to order it, too expensive. My friend ordered dumplings for about $14, but I did not taste them. My friend only ordered dumplings, which I did not taste. I come to the same conclusion as my previous visit, 6 years before. Not coming back ! Too many other places on Convoy St to try.

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    Dalbam Moon Night - bulgolgi

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    4.6(162 reviews)
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    We came here for a table of three on a Saturday evening at exactly 5 PM. It was Labor Day weekend…read more Great center easy to park. Was seated quickly our waitress was very nice and was perfectly tentative. Immediately we enjoyed the vibe. Had all of my favorite K-pop mix. I could've sworn they were playing my Spotify daily mix videos. Menu wasn't huge, but everything that we got was amazing.. Son, husband and I enjoyed all of our dishes. Bossam is a must come again for! Perfectly boiled sliced pork belly that you layer yourself with shredded fresh green onion, sliced raw garlic, strips of kimchi radish, some sort of pickled radish, and a ssamjang sauce. The pork alone was amazing and the portion was huge! We barely made a dent in the platter. The kimchi jjigae stew was sooo good too! The broth was savory, just enough spicy, it has a pork riblet stewed in it that was cooked perfectly. Came out to our table still bubbling.. Takoyaki was pretty standard, but what made it a little extra was that you could tell it actually had two pieces of octopus and each ball most places only have one. It was moist on the inside, but firm on the outside perfect amount of sauce on top. Bulgogi was a good size. Portion flavor was spot on beef with sliced nicely and very tender however, there was nothing outstanding besides the portion. Cheese corn was pretty standard as well, but oddly the corn kernels were very sweet and tender so that was very nice. I couldn't tell if it was fresh corn or frozen corn. I was leaning towards it being fresh corn because the kernels popped very nicely and were so sweet. I'm pretty sure they fooled me and it was frozen corn. The staff was so nice. They gave us an order of fried dumplings on the house. And that was very delicious. We will most likely order this next time. It was a perfect mixture of meat and vegetables. The skin wasn't too thick so it wasn't overly chewy or hard but perfectly crispy. The restaurant is on the smaller side. I can see it getting very packed very quickly. By the time that we left a little after six all the tables were full, and there was a party or two waiting. It was very lively, and although there was only one waitress, she was on point.

    A thousand times YES. Cozy, comforting Korean food and good music and vibes is what makes me keep…read morecoming back here. Along with their service as they are friendly and accommodating. For a laid back night to enjoy drinks with friends and food or even just a date night the vibes will be there. Their BOSSAM PAMUCHIN is on a whole different level that also has me itching to order every time I go there, but so torn cause I want to try other things on their menu haha.

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    Dalbam Moon Night - Inside | tiktok & insta: @trinhiesworld

    Inside | tiktok & insta: @trinhiesworld

    Dalbam Moon Night - Fried dumplings

    Fried dumplings

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    The Fire Spot - bbq - Updated October 2026

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