The Rib Shack

This place was absolutely delicious! We were just passing by when we spotted it and decided to give…read moreit a try--and we're so glad we did. We ordered the BBQ rib entrée with coleslaw, garlic mashed potatoes, and a Hawaiian roll, and everything was excellent. We also tried the two-meat combo with brisket and tri-tip, along with mac and cheese, beans, and a roll. That was just as delicious! What really stood out was the staff. They were some of the kindest and most helpful people we've ever encountered while dining out. They took the time to explain how ordering worked and were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Such a hidden gem. We'll definitely be back!

The staff was polite, welcoming, and helpful. The venue had plenty of space, a nice bar area, and…read moreample parking. I made the drive specifically for the highly recommended BBQ, but they were out of tri-tip. No big deal, so I ordered the brisket then about 20 minutes later found out they'd run out of that too. Huge disappointment, but there were some large parties ahead of us, so I get it (I only wish I hadn't waited 20+ mins to find out). I ended up with the spicy chicken sandwich, which had good flavor, but I drove there for BBQ and unfortunately came up short. I'll make the trip back eventually and hopefully get to try what I came for, then adjust my rating accordingly. To their credit, they gave us peach cobbler for the trouble. I'm not a dessert guy and would've never ordered it, but it was legit. I ate some then took it home, threw some vanilla ice cream on it, and let the kids handle the rest.

Great beer and wine

The Big Salad with chicken

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Counter and lobby

Holy Smokes BBQ

4.8(18 reviews)

6.2 mi

What an Incredible Experience enjoying creative selections from so many talented chefs!read more

This is one of the best bbq joints I've eaten at in a long time. I was craving brisket and based on…read moreprice experiences at other restaurants, brisket often sells out so I called ahead and they were kind enough to actually save some for us! When we got there to place the order they didn't know who we were and actually said they couldn't sell us any because it was promised to someone....we had a good laugh once they realized we were the promised party. The brisket was fork tender, great smoked flavor, melt in your mouth, with only a thin layer of fat. Absolutely great- highly recommend.

Beef Brisket & Beef Ribs

Smoked Turkeys for the Marines

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Huntington Beach Motors after their catered BBQ lunch.

127 West Social House

4.3(633 reviews)

6.2 mi

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon, party of 10, celebrating 4 birthdays. We drove in from Riverside,…read moreMenifee, Wildomar and San Diego. It was the first time here for all of us. We ordered a few appetizers, and a variety of salads, entrees and pizza. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the pickle pizza, ordered on a cauliflower crust. It was so yummy with bursts of flavor and crunch in every bite. Gavin was our server, and he's the real deal. He knows his craft. He's personable, friendly, helpful, funny and efficient. He knew what we needed before we asked. Not sure if he's related to the owner? Regardless, he is a major asset to the restaurant. His service was even better than the food. (And the food was fabulous!) The food presentation was great, but apparently we ate it all too fast to get any photos. Oops. It's super hot out today, and our spot in the restaurant was a bit warm. The staff brought extra fans to cool us down. So thoughtful, and definitely going above and beyond! The place is pretty unassuming from the outside. It's not fancy, just looks like an old house. But give it a try and be blown away. All 10 of us were pretty impressed. Thank you Gavin for the excellent service, and hats off to the chef for the delicious meals.

Fallbrook is not a big town, but every town needs a place to get good pizza, salads, and burgers…read moreand 127 West Social House does that and more. We stopped in for a Sunday dinner, my son has celiacs so we needed a solid gluten free option and we found one, a pepperoni pizza on a cauliflower crust. Pizza was done every well and the crust had some crunch, but was very flavorful. My wife and I started with the Brussels sprouts, fried with bacon, cheese and balsamic, very tasty and huge for an appetizer. We followed that with a Fallbrook burger (avocado of course) and a Greek Salad. Burger was excellent and the fries were perfect. The Greek salad was nice, a little over dressed for me, but plenty of cheese and olives. The service was very good and the place has in door and out door seating. Definitely worth a stop, I am looking forward to trying some of the dinner options soon!

Sweet Sicilian Pizza

Brussel Sprouts- 10/10

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Bacon-wrapped dates

Nessy Burgers

Family-owned & operated

they close around 6:40 called multiple times they shut off there phones terrible Ill most def come…read moreback tho cause there food is bomb #waybetterthaninandout all love tho

Fun spot to grab a burger, fries and eat outside. Luckily no flies today that were mentioned on…read moreother reviews. The portions were huge! Original Nessy burger and chilli fries was plenty too spilt between my husband and I. Great spot when you're in Fallbrook.

Fallbrook is famous for abocado

Single Nessy Burger. 1/2 lb patty.... so delish!! Gorgeous view of the 15-Fwy while you enjoy your burger!!

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Outdoor seating only

The Coal Bunker

4.4(261 reviews)

6.1 mi

Came back here again when I visited my daughter. I know it's one of her favorites and it's pretty…read moremuch one of mine when I go to Fallbrook. Cute place with good vibes. Our server took our order right away. Friendly guy. We ordered for the table pretzel bites. Omg those were really tasty melt in your mouth bites of heaven! It came with nacho cheese sauce I ordered the wedge salad with pesto chicken. I love wedge salads, and this was probably one of my favorites. It doesn't look too big until you actually cut it up and I only got the half salad, which is plenty especially since I got the chicken with it. We shared the bread pudding which was very good. Thank you Coal Bunker. My tummy did a happy dance

The staff is always so friendly! And the food ... home run! Perfect selection of beer in this hot…read moresummer day. 10 out 10 recommend

10/10 Buffalo chicken Mac & Cheese

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Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Pala Mesa Pizza

4.2(160 reviews)

0.0 mi

Great Pizza!! Great Service!…read more My fav are the jalapeño poppers, different but amazing!! Love their wings too! Bbq pizza is delicious!

Best pizza and salads in Fallbrook/Bonsall. Large pepperoni…read morepizza is my favorite, the bbq chicken salad is great and the pesto ranch dressing is awesome.

Supreme minus 2 pieces. Plus extra toppings.

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The entrance

Rainbow Oaks Restaurant

4.1(1.1k reviews)

5.6 mi

Huge portions... down-home atmosphere! We were a family of 7... no problem easily accommodate d…read moreeveryone.

Cool country setting. Feels like your miles from home. Large portions of whatever you order…read more Enough for two people to enjoy. Great , friendly staff. Very attentive. Food prices are reasonable and lots of parking. Nice stop while travelling between LA and San Diego. Bikers! this a good stop for breakfast or lunch..

Bar area with a few tables inside

Side salad

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California omelet

Casa Estrella

3.8(455 reviews)

4.3 mi

All the staff here was very nice and the food was prepared well. They have a lot of nice items on…read morethe menu to choose from and the restaurant was very clean with indoor and outdoor seating.. if you're ever in the Fallbrook area, this is a good place to stop and eat with authentic food.

Pros: Beautiful outdoor seating and relaxed casual ambiance. Friendly staff…read more Cons: The food was bland, out of our party of 7 only 2 would go back for the food alone.

Carnitas next to Bar... menu , Take cash , there is an ATM next to restaurant.

Chips best thing there

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El Parque

4.0(254 reviews)

3.3 mi

One of my favorite Fallbrook places. The South salad with chicken is always fresh and delicious…read more Burritos and rolled tacos are great Love the casual, relaxed outdoor atmospher. Prices are very reasonable.

Lupita represented El Parque very well. She was very friendly taking my order of 2 shredded beef…read moretaco plates and quoted me the price of each one at $9.70. Each plate included refried beans and rice. When I arrived at the restaurant, I noticed that there's not much parking available and it's gravel so be careful driving into the parking lot. Lupita greeted me and charged me for the food. If paying cash there's no extra charge,but if you use a card it's about a $2.00 extra fee. The shredded beef tacos were crispy and the beef was seasoned to perfection. The beans and rice were delicious as well. I would give 4 stars for Lupita customer service and the food . I give a -1 for the parking lot area. It needs to be paved for safety reasons.

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Village Roots Deli & Taproom

4.5(115 reviews)

6.2 mi

Excellent t food and service. Fresh! Homemade dressings & nice selection of food and drinks. Local,…read moretasty and friendly. Recommend!!

I ordered a pizza and the classic Cobb from DoorDash…read more The salad arrived with cold turkey deli meat, no grilled chicken and no egg. Tried to call the restaurant and it just rings twice and asks to leave a message. The pizza wasn't good either.

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Causal environment

Prosciutto pesto pizza

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The Zombie ‍

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29 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Kristine C.

1096

103

214

3 years ago

I recently tried The Rib Shack for a to-go meal, and while I'm curious if dining in would make a difference, here's my two cents with three stars: The food had its ups and downs. The brisket sandwich was a smokehouse delight, a straightforward entree where the focus is solely on the meat and the buns. It's all about simplicity - tender, smoky brisket nestled between two plain buns, allowing the meat's flavor to shine without any unnecessary frills. It paired wonderfully with both the original and sweet BBQ sauce, although the spicy BBQ sauce didn't quite hit the mark for my taste buds. On the flip side, the tri-tip sandwich missed the BBQ bullseye, and the beans lacked the sweet BBQ bean charm found at places like Phil's BBQ or Smokin' J's. However, as a cheese enthusiast, I must give credit to their Mac & Cheese, which delivered a delightful dose of gooey goodness! For those planning a visit, don't overlook the fantastic Yelp check-in offer: FREE cobbler! It sweetened the deal and capped off the meal just right. I just wish I had some ice cream to plop on top of it! Now, let's shine a spotlight on the staff - their warmth and attentiveness truly stood out. They seemed to anticipate our needs, even taking the initiative to slice our sandwiches in half when they noticed my husband and I planned to share. It was a small yet considerate gesture that left a lasting impression on our take out experience. read more

Amber S.

Elite 26

188

3 years ago

Prepare your taste buds for a journey to BBQ heaven at the Rib Shack near PALA Mesa Golf Course in Fallbrook. Warning: once you step foot inside, you may never want to dine anywhere else again! From the moment you arrive, the aroma of smoky goodness fills the air, setting the stage for a culinary experience like no other. The BBQ here is truly second to none--tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor that'll have you coming back for more time and time again. But it's not just about the food; the staff at the Rib Shack are absolute rockstars. From the friendly greetings to the top-notch service, they go above and beyond to ensure every customer leaves with a smile. For those looking to try a bit of everything, I highly recommend the sampler platter. My hubby and I split it, and we still had leftovers for days! It's the perfect way to sample all their mouthwatering meats at once and discover your favorites. So if you're craving some mouthwatering BBQ that's sure to leave you hooked, make your way to the Rib Shack near PALA Mesa Golf Course. Just be warned: once you taste their delicious offerings, you may find yourself unable to resist returning for more. read more

Orrin S.

3 years ago

I had an absolutely finger-licking experience at The Rib Shack that I just can't keep to myself! The Fried Okra - a crispy, golden delight that had me reaching for more with every bite. It's like they've turned a humble vegetable into a gourmet masterpiece. Speaking of masterpieces, I've been eagerly eyeing their Beef Ribs, but alas, they're a weekend treasure that sells out faster than a shooting star. The anticipation only adds to the allure!. The Rib Shack is a culinary gem that knows how to turn a meal into a true celebration of taste and texture. Can't wait to return for another round of delicious BBQ with a side of Ocra! Fingers crossed on the beef ribs ! read more

Andy C.

9 years ago

I ordered the brisket sandwich, tri-tip sandwich, and the tri-tip plate for my family and I. The food was smoked to perfection, I would have to say this is one of the best bbq/smoked restaurants I've ever been to. The chef in the kitchen acknowledged the fact that I had ordered a couple plates and that it was my first time here. He said what he does different is that the meat never touches a flame, it's strictly cooked in the smoke. Veery nice small local spot with delicious food! read more

Glynis E.

6 years ago

A little pricey, yes. But you get what you pay for and more! The brisket is so melt-in-your-mouth that you'll sigh in content. The fried okra is the BEST I have ever had. The chipotle ranch dipping sauce... OH MY GAAWD!! Ask for extras, cause you will want it. They are open during the pandemic & perfect for a special meal. We'll be ordering for my mother's 80th birthday this weekend. Pick up and go!. read more

Conjo B.

9 years ago

This BBQ spot was just to good im glad to post about this place. Because i remember the nice memories i had there. i actually proposed to my girlfriend there and she accepted. The ribs they offer you there are just so good you have to try it yourself it is hard to explain how good it is. read more

Robby K.

9 years ago

Oh! My! God! So good! Try out the huge selection of incredible appetizers. Make sure to save room for dessert, because that was the best part of the meal! The food was cooked to perfection. I found the ambiance to be very charming. This is definitely a spot I'll be frequenting. read more

Derek K.

4 years ago

I am constantly bouncing back and fourth whether I want to hide this spot from society to preserve the no crowd aspect or scream from the top of the hill that this is the best bbq that you'll find in California. Highly recommend stopping here if you have the chance! read more

Derrick P.

13 years ago

Went last Friday 13th, and got two baby rib plates for $21.00 and had enough to feed me, my wife and two young boys. The food was excellent the ribs fell right off the bone. The grand opening is October 11th. They also have an Artesian HALO water Filtration system. read more

Shelly A.

6 years ago

Tasty, tender ribs and tri tip, tangy sauce and friendly service. Also tried the peach cobbler and although it was actually just peach dump cake (with cake mix) it was tasty nonetheless. read more

Lauren N.

145

11 years ago

Delicious! The food was simply amazing. Had passed by several times and smelled amazing but finally decided to try it one night and it did not disappoint! Good portions as well read more

William S.

10 years ago

Just had dinner here some of the best ribs i have ever had the service was a little slow since the were not real busy but I will definitely be going back have the baby backs read more

Carlos T.

3 years ago

Every time we want to try this place it's either closed or food is not ready, the last time I went which was one week ago everything was at least 1 hr wait time read more

Christy L.

6 years ago

I love this place! They have such yummy bbq! I especially love the half chicken. It totally falls apart it the most delicious way! Great prices too! read more

James P.

4 years ago

Always get great customer service and they always get my food very quick. Always recommend to coworkers and pretty much everyone.

Arya P.

9 years ago

Best brisket around by far. Can't seem to get there in time for the elusive beef ribs but I hear there awesome! My go to BBQ!

Mike F.

11 years ago

I love that they give large quantity here. When I'm out for BBQ I eat big! Workers are very friendly and helpful. read more

George G.

13 years ago

the ribdoing some wonderful things.s are out of this world! The variety of sodas are interesting. new owners

V. Shaun T.

4 years ago

Very tasty !!! Worth trying My boy s were very excited to try and they ate everything. I had to get more

Stacy S.

10 years ago

This is the best rib place in fallbrook ..! The People are so nice and the food is to die for !!Yum read more

The Rib Shack - bbq - Updated October 2026

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they close around 6:40 called multiple times they shut off there phones terrible Ill most def come…read moreback tho cause there food is bomb #waybetterthaninandout all love tho

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Great place for hamburgers, Greek style chicken, etc and more options for vegetarians and non…read morevegetarians :) I've had their salads, chicken plates and veggie burger, all good. My husband loves their burger combos, the fries are huge and seasoned well. Drive through or dine in, it's a pleasant experience (though drive thru long lines at lunch because they are popular for lunch) Customer service is efficient and fast. The inside makes you feel like you're in a small misty garden, with a beautiful koi fish pond and the music is different, like Greek techno but slow and soothing sounds.

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What an Incredible Experience enjoying creative selections from so many talented chefs!read more

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The food was decent & met our expectations. The service was good. Prices are about on par with…read moresimilar places in the area, (slightly on the higher side). They offer both indoor & outdoor seating, with the outdoor area set up like a garden patio. The tables are vintage style glass patio furniture with umbrellas. On bright sunny days, the sun reflects off the glass and can be a bit blinding, as there is no enclosure or overhead cover. Parking, however, can be a bit tricky. The lot is small both street level and upper level, which is a hill, so you'll likely need to walk down to the restaurant. When we arrived, a large box truck was blocking the upper parking area--likely a vendor--and although we were motioned to wait "a couple of minutes," it turned into closer to five. Because the space is narrow and sloped, my friend had no choice but to back up carefully, fortunately with no car behind us. There is additional parking on the opposite side, and street parking. It's clearly a popular spot with locals.

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