May is National BBQ Month, and in San Diego, local businesses certainly know how to grill some good grub. Check out these top-ranked Yelp locations known for slathering the sauce and dishing out some flavorful, finger-lickin’ BBQ. Don’t forget the wet naps.
That Boy Good (Oceanside)
It doesn’t stop at BBQ pork ribs and smoked wings at this local Southern style joint, they have all the fixins: Miss Lequita’s cornbread, watermelon, mac & cheese, collard greens and they even serve Kool-Aid! (Chicken and Waffles also has its own spot on the menu). The chef on site, Mark Millwood, hails from ‘round the world, including Mississippi, and serves a $7 pulled pork sandwich and cold beer for Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Felix’s BBQ With Soul (Oceanside)
For mid-day cravings, the Lunch Box Special at Felix’s can’t be beat. It’s only $9 and includes fries and coleslaw. Choose from baby back ribs, Alabama fried chicken, Saint Louis ribs and more. The BBQ here slow cooks over a wood-burning pit and the side selections include authentic bites like black-eyed peas, candied yams, Hoppin’ John (a beans and rice dish with bacon) and fried green tomatoes. The peach cobbler for dessert is renown, so save some room!
Brett’s BBQ (Encinitas)
Here, the motto is “if it’s not smoked, it’s not BBQ,” and smoke it they do… for 16 hours! The sauce made from scratch in-house. Specially-shipped in hickory wood and a special blend of spices makes the brisket, chicken, pork and ribs downright perfection. Of course, a plateful of meat this good deserves supporting sides: try the hush puppies, corn pudding or onion rings. For dessert, the bread pudding is famous, covered in whisky sauce and whipped cream.
Phil’s BBQ (San Marcos)
We simply can’t boast BBQ in San Diego without a shout out to Phil’s! Their downtown San Marcos location is one of the highest reviewed businesses on Yelp in the entire U.S. Phil’s serves up the same popular choices at their other locations including Point Loma, Santee, Petco Park and the San Diego International Airport. Try the mesquite grilled chicken and the beefy ribs and all the accoutrement like corn-on-the-cob, potato salad, or sweet baked beans. If you feast with a large group of friends and family this North County location has a patio for rent too.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que (Temecula)
Lucille’s Granny taught her the tricks of the trade! Speckled mostly through California, the closest location for San Diegans is in wine country in Temecula and once you get there, settle in for a feast. Don’t try and choose a starter, just get the sampler filled with pork rib tips, fried dill pickles, sweet potato fries, fried green tomatoes, Dixie egg rolls, fried okra, chicken strips and spicy hot link. Whew! If you make it past that, dig into the Texas-style beef brisket or Angus beef tri-tip.
Trish Sanderson is the community manager and marketing director for Yelp North County San Diego. She leads the local community of Yelp reviewers both online and off.
