Best of San Diego · 2026

Best BBQ Restaurants in San Diego

Our top picks for bbq restaurants in San Diego: Phil’s BBQ (Santee), Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs and Del’s Hideout — ranked by what thousands of San Diegans say in their reviews, weighed for consistency, and checked by us, from 33 places compared. Rankings are editorial and never for sale.

Updated October 2026 · 33 listings

  1. 1Phil’s BBQ

    Phil’s BBQ

    Bar in Santee.

    Local favoriteSanteeCallDirectionsWebsite
  2. 2Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

    Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

    Bar in El Cajon.

    Local favoriteEl CajonCallDirectionsWebsite
  3. 3Del’s Hideout

    Del’s Hideout

    Barbecue restaurant in Allied Gardens.

    Local favoriteDel CerroCallDirectionsWebsite
  4. 4Coaster Saloon

    Coaster Saloon

    Barbecue restaurant in Mission Beach.

    Local favoriteMission BeachCallDirectionsWebsite
  5. 5Smokin J’s BBQ

    Smokin J’s BBQ

    Barbecue restaurant in Poway — also a breakfast and brunch spot.

    Local favoritePowayCallDirectionsWebsite
  6. 6RiseUp BBQ San Diego

    RiseUp BBQ San Diego

    Barbecue restaurant in Sherman Heights.

    Local favoriteSouth ParkCallDirectionsWebsite
  7. 7Buckboard’s – BBQ & Brew

    Buckboard’s – BBQ & Brew

    Barbecue restaurant in El Cajon.

    Local favoriteEl CajonCallDirectionsWebsite
  8. 8Manna Heaven BBQ Downtown

    Manna Heaven BBQ Downtown

    Korean restaurant in Gaslamp Quarter — also a barbecue restaurant.

    Local favoriteGaslamp QuarterCallDirectionsWebsite
  9. 9SOT BBQ

    SOT BBQ

    Korean restaurant in Kearny Mesa — also a barbecue restaurant.

    Local favoriteKearny MesaCallDirectionsWebsite
  10. 10Felix’s BBQ With Soul

    Felix’s BBQ With Soul

    Barbecue restaurant in Carlsbad.

    Local favoriteCarlsbadCallDirectionsWebsite
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