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Name: Bretts BBQ
Address: 1505 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Telephone: (760) 436-7427
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.90

Bretts BBQ

1505 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA, 92024

(760) 436-7427
Store is closed

Bretts BBQ Menu

Salads

The Pit Master

The Pit Master Without Meat

Green Side Salad
Sandwiches

Bbq Pulled Pork

Bbq Beef Brisket

Bbq Pulled Chicken

Cheeseburger

Bbq Texas Rope Sausage

Hand Carved Smoked Turkey Breast

Hand Carved Smoked Trip Tip Dip
From the Smoker

Bbq Baby Back Ribs

Bbq Spare Ribs

Bbq Beef Ribs

Tri Tip

Barbecue Beef Brisket

Bbq Pulled Pork

Bbq Chicken

Bbq Ribs and Choice of One Meat

Bbq Sampler Plate

Fresh Salmon
Other Stuff

Bbq Chicken Wings

Cajun Chicken Wings

Onion Rings

Baked Potato

Bbq Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Salad
Sides

Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Bbq Baked Beans

French Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Corn Pudding

Hush Puppies

Macaroni & Cheese

Vegetable

Corn Bread Muffin
Dessert

Bread Pudding
A La Carte

Baby Back Ribs

Spare Ribs

Beef Ribs

Bbq Chicken

Tri Tip

Beef Brisket

Pulled Pork

Pulled Chicken

Bbq Texas Rope Sausage

Smoked Turkey Breast

Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Bbq Baked Beans

Corn Pudding

Macaroni and Cheese

Vegetable

French Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Hush Puppies

Corn Bread Muffins

Bbq Sauce

Salad Dressing

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bretts BBQ

Salads

The Pit Master [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Pit Master Without Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Side Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Bbq Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Texas Rope Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Carved Smoked Turkey Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Carved Smoked Trip Tip Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From the Smoker

Bbq Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Spare Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tri Tip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbecue Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Ribs and Choice of One Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Sampler Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Other Stuff

Bbq Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cajun Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Onion Rings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Baked Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Potato and Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Cole Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Baked Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hush Puppies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Bread Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
A La Carte

Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spare Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tri Tip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Texas Rope Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Turkey Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cole Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Baked Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni and Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hush Puppies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Bread Muffins [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad Dressing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Write An Anonymous Review

Peter F.

I don't know about the other Yelpers, but my brother and I split the BBQ sampler plate and it filled up two men. I must say, the sides were very very sheisty. For the amount of meat I paid for, I should have had more. I ordered their 'famous' sweet potato fries, which was OK. and a side of BBQ beans which came in a little cup. Bear in mind, I ordered the Sampler plate which comes with (2) sides for $22. Aside from all that, the BBQ sauce was delicious and the beef brisket, and ribs were soo juicy and tender.
(4)
David L.

We wanted an easy way out for the family's Birthday/Thanksgiving, so we opted to go with a ready-made turkey. We'd heard about Brett's, it was close to home and decided to try it out. We are happy we did. When can you say that "they gave us the bird and it was good!"? It was right on time and delicious. We're still pulling meat off the carcass (it is the meatist bird I have ever eaten, NOT a blubbery, oily mess) ... great for home-made soup! A little pricey @ $100, but worth it if you include all the meals from the extra meat. Thank you, Brett's!
(5)
Chris G.

Would have given 4 stars but last couple time the ribs and chicken where not tender and almost falling apart as previous visits that wowed me on their BBQ. But, this place is still amazing and compared to Phils BBQ in San Diego, this place is second best for sure. By far best BBQ in north county, huge place for large familys or parties, cool owner too. Sides are awesome and go great with everything. Have to try this place at least once, cause then you'll be hooked.
(3)
Chas T.

GEN U INE BBQ! Real smoked meats and great sides. The pulled pork is the best, the BBQ sauce is both sweet and tangy. Blues tunes always playing. There can be a few minutes wait for your food but that's because nothing is being kept hot in the back for hours. Bruce and Brett rock and btw, the best kept secret for a burger in all N. Cnty. If you loves you some 'que, Brett's is the only game in town.
(5)
Chad S.

After reading several of the reviews and feeling a little brave, the main squeeze and I check out Brett's. When we walked in we were both amazed at the size of the place.. fairly big joint. This made me feel like the chances of a yummy successful meal were good.... I ordered the pulled pork sammich, (as this is always my test for a bbq joint) and the squeeze ordered the pulled chicken sammich with the yam fries. I stayed with the traditional fries. I have to say, the service was pretty incredible. We found a table, gathered our utensils and seconds later, the food was delivered to the table. The sammies were piled high with meat and a good helping of fries. Then came the disappointment. After one bite it was obvious this sammich was gonna need a lil sauce. However, a lil sauce turned into literally half the bottle. Now, I know what your thinking.. thats a big of an exaggeration... trust me it is NOT. The sawdust sandwich literally took all of the sauce. Not a drop was on the plate, my chin, the napkin or the table. The meat was sooooo dry it literally soaked up every drop of moisture that hit it. I have to say, coming from Oakland, where BBQ is serious business... this was a HUGE disappointment. I could not recommend this joint to anyone who truly appreciates good BBQ. Sadly, I dont know how they will stay in business. Truth of the matter is, with great smiling service... its sad that what was bad was the food. And it was BAD. Ive eaten over at Smokin Joeys in Carlsbad at El Camino and Alga... now they have a decent pulled pork sammich. And for the same money... and you can add sides that are tastey.. vs. the sub par attempt at Yam Fries and the over salted over fried shoestrings that come out of the kitchen at Brett's. Hopefully there ownership takes notices and brings up the quality of their product.
(1)
Jaman G.

Bad food, lots of it. The beef ribs were dry, and an oversugared and uninspired BBQ sauce brought no remedy. You may like the place to hang you, but this has nothing to do with Texas BBQ.
(1)
Nancy T.

I'm not the biggest fan of barbeque sauce, but two people recommended this place, so we tried it on St. Patrick's Day. I had a brisket sandwich, dry, with a side of hush puppies. I needed to add sauce to the brisket because I ordered it dry (the woman at the counter recommended ordering it that way if I did not want it to be slathered), but there is sauce at the table, so it was no big deal. I'd rather be able to add some sauce than for it to be totally drowned, so it worked well for me. The hush puppies were really tasty, but since I've probably only had hush puppies once or twice before, I can't say if they were fabulous in comparison to other places'. My husband had the big salad with brisket on top and even though I did not taste it, it was very well presented and he really enjoyed it. The staff is really friendly, knowledgable, and very well trained. You order at the counter and they bring your food, but they check in to refill any water or fountain drinks. The manager came by to thank us for coming in, even though it was packed on a Tuesday night. We will definitely be back to try the pulled pork and the ribs. I'm so glad this place is there instead of the old Pat and Oscar's that used to be there.
(4)
Sunny K.

Have eaten at Brett's BBQ in Encinitas 3 times. First time - our group of 3 shared the Pitmaster Salad, BBQ Sampler Plate, and Brisket Plate . Salad was amazing - the Sampler Plate was OK and the Brisket was the best! Fries, Potato Salad, HushPuppies, and Sweet Potato Fries were all fresh, tasty, and above-average. Good service, very clean restaurant, all 3 people are fans of smoked BBQ and sides. 4 stars Second time - take-out lunch for two ppl. Unfortunately, the two orders of sweet potato fries (they were the most memorable sidedish from 1st trip) got soggy in the 15min. car drive. They'd have been better eaten in the restaurant.On that day, the Brisket sandwich was much tastier than the Pulled Pork sandwich, which seemed a bit dry. The Bread Pudding dessert was delicious. 4.5 stars Last night, two very hungry people (no time for lunch) went all-in for BBQ Plates. We each ordered our own plate so we could sample some of the other side dishes. The Brisket was perfect! Sweet Potato fries excellent and Corn casserole OK. The Pulled Pork meat was uneven consistency- some very, very well-done (burnt) pieces and some fairly fatty pieces. The cole slaw and the beans were OK/good, but not great. It would be nice if there were healthier/fresher side dishes on the menu. 3.5 stars As for the pricing, the plates give you a lot of meat and two sidedishes. ($12+) - a person w/average appetite should have leftover meat for another sandwich at home. Sidedishes - they may or not be your thing. The 1 dessert (Bread Pudding) is amazingly yummy - recommended for adults! Our conclusion is that the sandwich (with 1 side dish) @ Brett's BBQ is the way to go ... good quantity, great quality, best value (price & quantity of food), and great service. I'd eat at the restaurant rather than bring it back to the office or home!
(4)
Kip D.

Ok, so to preface this, I'm completely biased in favor of Phil's BBQ. I'd fill the tub with Phil's sauce and bathe in it if I could. For real. But I'm a BBQ fanatic so I'll try any place. Ok, so I do have to say I like their sauce. But I'm VERY in love with BBQ sauce so it would be hard to disappoint me--like one restaurant in San Diego has done (see my reviews). I love the food here. HOWEVER, the service is HORRIBLE. The people are pretty darn rude. They could learn a thing or two about service and hospitality from Phil's BBQ people. I'd say in the long run Phil's is better. Maybe it's because I'm just a BBQ nut that I don't give this place a lower mark. Upshot: I'd go here again if I was in the neighborhood. But if Phil's and this place were right next to each other, I'd pick Phil's. But this place would be my second choice for BBQ in San Diego.
(3)
Ryan W.

One mans opion! The best BBQ place in San Diego. I know everyone thinks that Phill's BBQ is the best but Bretts BBQ is just as good if not better. The service is greatvand the food is out of this world. The ribs are always good but if you feel like eating light try the BBQ pit master salad. Get the half unless you want to share.
(5)
Madeline G.

Came here with my man, my sister, and her fiance. Between the four of us, we split two full racks of baby back ribs and four regular sides (potato salad, fries, sweet potato fries, and beans). Everything was good and it was the perfect amount of food for all of us. The BBQ sauce on the table has a really yummy taste. I kept pouring mass amounts of it on my ribs. Service was good and we were able to sit on the patio. My favorite thing was the 3 person sink located in the front of the restaurant where you can wash off your sticky hands.
(4)
Katee M.

Brett's is awesome!!! My husband and I have eaten here twice now and have really enjoyed our food both times. The ribs are succulent, juicy and amazing. They also have super skinny french fries which in my opinion are the best kind. Yay! We are fans!!
(4)
Peter G.

What a great, clean and friendly place to eat. Excellent Sweet Tea - Try mixing it with some lemonade. Not a huge fan of the pork. But the brisket is very good. Super chicken sandwich as well. Every now and again I get there Texas Rope Sausage Sandwich...Superb!!! OHHHH....Dont forget the Whiskey Bread Pudding...WOW!!! Fabulous prices...Huge portions....You will not go away hungry. Or thristy...Great selection of Brew on tap!
(4)
Carina F.

Awesome BBQ. As close as you can get in San Diego County to some real Soutnern BBQ. FINALLY! Yes, I do like Phil's, and it does have some pros (mostly just two of the sides that I like there - mac salad and the fresh veggies) but this place offers real smoked meat and the BBQ sauce isn't as sweet and tangy as Phil's - this is more smoky sauce and is deeeelish. All of their meat is hand rubbed with spices and then slow-cooked in the smoker for up to 16 hours. (Per the website. And my tastebuds can attest!) Although my 1/4 chicken dish with 2 sides was only $6.95, the two items ordered by my party, the ribs and the brisket were $13.95 each; pretty dang pricy. The brisket WAS the bomb though and was a large portion so it's worth getting. But the meal for 3 came up to $50 and this is a casual place...Side orders included are hush puppies, corn pudding, french fries, potato salad, baked beans. Other sides like green salad and fresh corn on the cob are extra. Boo. The french fries are crisp and shoestring style and addicting. Hush puppies were somewhat dry. Potato salad was good. Soda fountain had good selection (Coke Zero, Diet Coke, and Coke, etc) plus fresh brewed iced tea and southern sweet tea too. They have an outdoor seating area with heating lamps and they're dog friendly. I brought my two dogs and some other people had their dog there too. That's a plus in my eyes! Plenty of indoor seating too. Pro over Phil's: NO LONG LINES! No craziness. And hopefully that doesn't change. Large sinks to wash your ribby hands off in and plenty of paper towels to wipe your saucy face. Highly recommend for a casual lunch and worth the hike from San Diego proper!!!
(5)
Ryan S.

Better than Phil's without the long line! Enough said.
(5)
Lauren L.

The BBQ is way too runny. The meats are dry.
(1)
Kanako A.

I hate to write a not-so-stellar review, but my husband and I went to Brett's this past weekend and wasn't all that impressed. We were in town visiting for the weekend and when we saw that there was a BBQ place in Encinitas that everyone was raving about, we had to stop by. The reviews said that this was one of the best BBQ places in SD, so we went there with really high expectations. We're from LA and have had our fair share of good BBQ. My husband got the bbq combo platter and I got the chicken and ribs platter. The sauce was okay and was a little bit on the runny side (like the previous reviewer, I prefer it to be thick) but aside from the texture, it was just had a lot of vinegar to it. Not too much smoke or sweet. The food was somewhat dry and none of the meat was heavily smoked. We're used to BBQ that has more smoke flavor, but the food at Brett's seemed like most of the flavor was in the BBQ sauce and not in the meat. VERY disappointed by that. The brisket and pulled pork were on the dry side and wasn't as smokey tasting as we would have liked. I ordered the corn pudding and sweet potato fries and they were very good, but my husband's baked beans and potato salad were very mediocre. Their Southern Sweet Tea was really good though but that's not nearly enough for us to want to go there again. Plus, the prices are a bit on the high side for the quality of food. I'd prefer Lucille's BBQ (in various places around LA) for the price. One of the BBQ places that we frequent in LA is Joey's BBQ which also has a location in Carlsbad in the La Costa area. Hands down, Joey's (at least the one that we frequent in Manhattan Beach) has WAY better BBQ. Another place that we frequent is Harry's Smokehouse BBQ in Lomita, CA. If Brett's is the best BBQ in San Diego, I'm sad for San Diegans. You guys need to come up to LA to experience better BBQ.
(1)
Pablo D.

family combos are excellent
(4)
Dominic M.

Wonderfull.A total package. Great food, great service, fair prices and very, very clean. I left a very happy and satisfied man. This is a one in million place.
(5)
Scott P.

I am going to tell you that just because Brett is also a former Hoosier, turned Californian, as I am, I won't tell you to hold that against him. HAHA! What I will tell you though is that you should go in and experience his incredible-tasting barbeque faire. I have eaten here during my workday lunches several times and it is super consistent in GREAT tasting barbecue that you will truly enjoy!
(5)
Carter S.

This is a very clean modern place with a Blues-BBQ decor and blues music playing, very cool. I had the Spare ribs $15 for the half rack, and they were juicy, tender, slightly smokey, meaty and very good. The meat has that pink smoky look and a slighty crunchy out side. The sauce is slightly spicy, vinegary, smokey and good. I don't think it over powers the meat and is a good compliment. For sides I tried the Corn pudding which I've never heard of. It is like a combo of cream corn and corn meal, very good, and cole slaw also good. I got there when it opened and no crowd yet, the counter guy was helpful and friendly. I saw out door seating with gas heaters. I will return when in the area and try something else.
(4)
Robert B.

I stopped by here on the way home from SD, thinking maybe I'd finally find another BBQ place that I could give 5/5 stars... Well, they almost hit the 5 star mark... The place is similar to Sizzler's where you order your food at a counter and they bring it to you... The environment was pretty awesome considering I went at about 11am (prior to everyone on a Saturday). The music they had going hit the spot... Everything about this place is great... I will be stopping by again on my way either down or up from SD again in the future!
(4)
Devin W.

Brett's took on a huge risk taking this location... and I'm afraid they will befall to the same fate as those before them have. With overpriced bbq that's not even that good, unbelievably expensive beer, and a staff that's either from down south or straight out of high school there's only a matter of time... I will say that they do have a nice establishment with multiple flat screen TVs and booths that will please any backside. But where they fall short is in the most important categories for restaurants. For an order-at-the-counter place the pricing is unacceptable. Bring a large stack of cash if you want to eat here. The meal I had was a pulled pork sandvich and it came with bun and meat. It wasn't that good and the fries weren't anything to rave about. To sum it up, you may want to try this place soon because it probably won't be here that much longer.
(2)
Kevin D.

This place is comfy and friendly and if I can ever get past pulled pork, they've got a really big menu.
(4)
Richard T.

This is the best BBQ I've had in San Diego, and believe me, I have tried many, many places. It's really the only place that gets that proper, smoky crust ("bark," to bbq nerds) right on the meat. I can't give it 5 stars because I've been twice, and both times, some of the meats were less moist than they should have been. But it's still good -- had pork ribs, beef ribs, brisket, and sausage. (Very nice that you can get that TX-style smoked sausage, that's not too common). And you can always lubricate with their delicious homemade sauce. The service is also very friendly. In a town that is an absolute BBQ wasteland, this stands out as the lone oasis.
(4)
Brooke R.

The BBQ sauce was tasty but really runny. I like it thick. I ordered the chicken sandwich and found it somewhat dry. The appetizer onion rings (not offered as a side) were mediocre, nothing special. I was hoping to order a side salad, or side vegetables, just something to make my meal a little healthier. Not an option here. If I come here again I'll be getting the ribs because those looked better.
(1)
kelly k.

We got our Thanksgiving turkey from Brett's today! Soooo delicious! We were a bit concerned when we first saw the turkey, b/c the smoked turkey looks very different (darker) than a traditional turkey, but it was so good! It was moist and perfectly cooked. They had it ready for us on time and well packed, it stayed warm long enough for us to finish our side dishes and gather everyone to the table. Everyone raved about the turkey all night! I would buy it again in a second!
(5)
Sarah L.

The BF isn't a big fan of BBQ cuisine, mainly because of the sweetness in some recipes, so I was surprised when he suggested this place for lunch one day. We walk in, immediately greeted by the man behind the counter wearing a big smile. (Score 1 for me.) I tell him it's "our first time here." He doesn't hesitate in explaining the menu, which is very helpful. He even recommended certain dishes for me after I told him I don't eat pork, (by personal preference.) I ordered the beef brisket sandwich combo with mac and cheese, and a Hefeweizen. (YES they serve beer, thought you knew son!?!? jk.) The meat was so tender and the sauce was the perfect combination of sweet with tangy but not too tangy. The mac and cheese was legit, very yummy. They even have a lazy susan at each table providing the essential condiments, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, EXTRA BBQ sauce. Wait, what?! Really? Extra?? From my experience it's rare for me to visit a BBQ place that actually has a bottle of their infamous BBQ sauce. OTHER BBQ SPOTS: "Oh it's a family recipe and it's secret, so, we have to play tight with our sauce, sorry, I hope the one inch diameter of BBQ sauce is enough to compliment the mile high stack of cow parts we just piled onto your sandwich...." Usually, BBQ joints play shiesty with their sauce. That ultimately earned the 5 star rating for me. The man even came to our table and thanked us for our first visit. I will be coming back to this place.
(5)
Moe R.

this place is average. i had the tri-tip. was expecting beef but it was pork. the whole time i was eating there was something a little off and after the meal, in the car, i told my wife the tri-tip was a little porky and she confirmed it was pork. didn't even know there was pork tri-tip but i was expecting BEEF. the wife got the baby back ribs and said there wasn't enough sauce and it was dry. like they had made it before hand and warmed it up again. the BBQ sauce is good. the staff is friendly and so is the owner. he helped an older couple with their drinks and place settings, which I thought was nice. will have to go again to make a firm decision as to whether this place is good or not.
(3)
Richard W.

Very good. According to spouse, it gives Phil's a run for the money. I don't think so, but it is good enough. We were there on a Sunday. It was very slow at lunchtime. They play blues from the satellite over the sound system, and unfortunately, there was a lot of talking on the radio and the staff wouldn't or couldn't tune to another station.
(4)
Trent D.

Do not go here if you like good BBQ. You have to be kidding me. This place is terrible for BBQ. Ribs were so dry! It was like they were frozen and then heated up with BBQ sauce. Sauce and sides were weak too! Over priced for such poor quality. At least fake the moisture in the ribs by boiling/steaming them and then heat them up with sauce like Phil's. Anybody mentioning Phil's as a comparison already lets you know the person writing the review knows nothing about smoking meat and as for comparing Brett's with good Texas BBQ you are disrespecting Texas and Texas BBQ's reputation.
(1)
Savannah S.

I love Brett's! Nothing beats their pulled pork sandwich with extra BBQ sauce and hush puppies on the side! They have 4 or 5 big screens that show whatever hot game is on. (like tonight they had the laker game on...) They staff is fast, friendly and very helpful. They even gave me a free taste of the corn pudding they serve. It was pretty tasty. Self serve beverages (one size fits all and that size is pretty large). They have a very fast clean up staff so you can still sit at your table and chat without plates around. When you are done with your meal and covered in BBQ sauce, as you should be after any good BBQ meal, they have a large scrub sink just before you exit so you can wash up without even going in the restroom. Brett's is my favorite low key BBQ place in North County. :)
(4)
David G.

Really good pulled pork sandwich, and they really give you a lot of meat on that sandwich. The awesome thing is they don't charge you extra to get sweet potato fries like every other BBQ place in the north county. The Texas Rope Sausage Sandwich is really good too. Everybody is especially friendly, and the place is very clean.
(4)
M M.

We go to Brett's a lot. I am not personally a BBQ fan but my husband and kids LOVE it there. The brisket is really good. My kids like the smoked turkey breast and burger. I have to say that the reason I am writing such a glowing review is that I did a pick-up order once and wasn't happy with an item. I called and Brett answered and was very understanding. He asked for my address and about a month later I was surprised to find a gift certificate from Brett asking me to come back. We WILL be back. Everyone I know who likes BBQ loves it here!
(5)
Jeff W.

Being from Texas we have not found a single BBQ place in San Diego that understands what real BBQ is. But we found it at Brett's this is the best BBQ we have found so far ! the meat is smoked, and it is great. The folks are great and the place is clean and well run! Take it from a Texan this is the spot for BBQ in San Diego!
(5)
Shannon C.

Had dinner at Brett's last night. All I can say is...GREAT! As far as I am concerned this is the ONLY barbecue option in all of SD County. I've tried them all. Brett's has consistently delivered great food. And where else do you get to see the actual owners, working very hard to deliver the goods???
(5)
Suzanne S.

Im a big fan of there BBQ chicken salad! WHole bunch of yummy toppings!! And definatley get the sweet potatoe fries
(4)
Carmel S.

My husband and I came here yesterday (for my birthday lunch!), as I had been begging to try it for ages... and we loved it! I ordered baby back ribs with a baked potato. My husband got the tri-tip and mac & cheese and corn bread. The ribs were fantastic, really love their bbq sauce. And, the mac & cheese was so good, it made me regret ordering the potato... next time, I may just double up m&c! :) Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Junie D.

Smoky Goodness is what I have to say about this place. Ordered the pulled pork sandwich on rec commendation from the cashier. It was really good. Great smoky flavor and huge portion. Came with a side of fries and a pickle. For just over 7 bucks it was a pretty good deal and I will definitely try it again. I also had the Cajun wing starter which was more like a buffalo wing, but was taste in its own right and worth a repeat order. I'm gonna try the brisket which my gf says is to die for. Brett the owner came out and talked to us for a bit which I thought was a nice touch and brings the whole family type feel into play at this place. What I liked best about the conversation was that he mentioned how nice of a guy Phil is and he had no problem sending customers to him and vice versa. He seemed like a very genuine person and his product speaks for itself. Final Verdict is that I am now a huge fan of two BBQ joints in the SD area Phil's and Brett's. If you want grilled goodness then Phil's is the place to go...if you are looking for more of the smoky hint to your BBQ than Brett's is the place for you!
(5)
Maria Z.

Absolutely the best BBQ in San Diego county. The food is great, the staff and owners friendly and the have an outdoor patio. We had my husband's 50th birthday party in the restaurant. There were 35 people there and Brett and Bruce set up a special area for out group and produced fantastic food - all of hot.
(5)
Robert B.

food was great, priced a little high but tons of food and took some home. Owners are nice guys but need to get a refresher on Charm School. kind of short and sweet with the conversation
(4)
Jack G.

I've eaten here twice before. First time a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries and both were delicious, plus the service was great as well. Second time I had the pitmaster salad with brisket on it and was equally with impressed with food and service! Tonight, different story. I walked in about 8pm, plenty of time before they closed. I know one of the managers from his many years at Epazote's. He greeted me with a handshake and said he was glad I was back. I ordered the Brisket Plate with the sweet potato fries and baked beans. When it arrived, I was sort of wishing I ordered Ribs, but I had Brisket before there and I enjoyed it , so no worries, right? Not only was the Brisket somewhat tough, my fries were over salted too. To add insult to injury, not one of the five employees who were shuffling around me and the other diners or the manager ask me how was everything or if I needed anything! I am a big boy and could asked to see the manager or walked up there...I guess I did not feel like it. Normally I would be honest if they had asked me how my food was, but this case I was not offered the opportunity to give them feedback. Well, I guess I can be honest to all my friends and to the readers about my experience and let them know how different this last and FINAL experience was. I think I will stick with the Joey's in La Costa if I have a craving while I'm in North County or hit up Phil's for my monthly BBQ fix.
(1)
Mark S.

Really good BBQ ! Brett is almost always there to personally make sure you are taken care of. I lived in Texas for 15 years, and I have had excellent BBQ. Brett's ranks right up there, and it is a whole lot closer, y'all !
(5)
Bob M.

Unfortunately a bad dinner choice.. I do enjoy BBQ but this was generally dismal. Hard to believe they charged 18.95 for a piece of withered dry chicken and equally dry ribs. Maybe left over from lunch. Very disappointing.
(1)
Ferdi E.

How can i have two favorite bbq places in san diego? i feel like one of those shady characters on an episode of cheaters... i love me some phil's bbq, but brett's bbq - you saucy temptress... you jezebel! i can't seem keep my hands off of you. the GRUB: - BABY BACK RIBS - the cornerstone of any bbq joint IMO... Bruce (one of the chefs) let me in on their trade sssh - house secret dry rub... then smoked... low and slow... for hours... then they paint the sauce on for some extra zing. just like how they do in the south... smoked perfection. - the SAUCE - sweet and smokey... i like mine with a little kick (so yes, i prefer phil's bbq sauce) - but on its own, this sauce delivers. - the sides - oh fuck yes... the main thing that seperates Brett's with Phil's IMO... SWEET POTATO FRIES - sooooo good - crisp, sweet, seasoned, and delicious; CORN PUDDING - an exquisite cross between creamed corn and a cornbread muffin, slap yo mama good... a real winner; HUSH PUPPIES - southern style flavor nuggets. - PULLED PORK - shredded and meaty - i can see how this could lead into a bbq sandwich masterpiece - Southern Style SWEET TEA - yup, i said it... diabetics - you have been warned. - oh, did i mention the BEER? what. ha. what. mmmmm beer. the JOINT: - clean, open spaces, plenty of seating, jazzy / blues juke joint kinda feel. - great service station, with fountain drinks, plates, silverware, and togo boxes... - mega-sinks situated outside of the bathrooms, for those that need a good dousing after the bbq melee - service with a smile. i cant stress how much i really appreciate friendly and curteous service nowadays...IMHO, its what seperates the good from the "i can see why they closed in this bad economy" businesses. - plenty of parking, and side door for "take out" efficiency the SQUEEZE: - my wife and i were able to split the FULL RACK MEAL with two sides and a drink for under $24 - and were completely staisfied. - my friend, who has a healty appetite, did the mega-sampler... same price $24 (with drink)... but was defeated by the meats - ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket... he took the rest home and probably can stretch it out to two more servings. - cash and cards accepted. - catering and take out also an option. Brett's BBQ is the real deal holyfield... smoked meats... kick ass sides... great dining room... fairly priced... a 5 star performance all the way around... how does it measure up to Phil's? pretty damn good i would say... for me, phils has a better sauce, tender ribs, and is closer to home; brett's has way better side dish choices, savory smoked meats, and is not as crowded or "rushed" - call me a cheater, i like em both equally...
(5)
Chris N.

Brett is in the wrong business. How this place is still around and expanding is mind boggling. Brett makes the second worst ribs that I have ever had. The ribs were dry and tough. The sides were extremely bland, and left much to be desired as well. If you want to taste some real bbq go to Phil's or sadly enough Joey's. Stay away.
(1)
Josh H.

I went in here on New Years day, nothing was open and I kind of stumbled upon it. Really was a great find. I loooove good BBq I just got a chicken and some sides, not expecting too much, But the Chicken was everything you could want from fire + meat. Excellent rub, not too much sauce, skin was not flabby and charred in spots. The meat was falling off the bone, but not dry (well the breast was a little, but what do you expect.) The sides I got were well above what most places pass off as an afterthought. I wish I lived closer so I could try more of their offerings!
(4)
Chris C.

Good BBQ...try the bread pudding dessert too, delish.
(4)
Dan G.

Stopped in for lunch the other day, and was actually a little early (apparently they weren't open even though the "Open" sign was lit up). I walked in and got the "what the heck are you doing here?" look from people who were cleaning up and getting ready to open and then a cute little old lady who was washing windows asked if she could help me. I apologized for coming in if they weren't open and she said "No, that's fine as long as you're here, what would you like?" I let her know that I didn't want to trouble them, but she was very nice and insisted. I order my pulled pork sandwich, went to sit down and she brought me a cup of water while I waited. They whipped it up in about 5 minutes and I was out of there. Extra star for great service, even before they were open.
(4)
Rachel B.

It's OK BBQ. Honestly nothing to write home about.
(3)
Cindy K.

Solid 4 star barbecue ... one of the best in San Diego.
(4)
Evin M.

Brett's BBQ is sooooo good! Only BBQ you can find in North County i swear. Beef Ribs and BBQ Chicken is my favorite. Usually get the sampler platter with a little of everything. Sweet Potato fries are my addiction this place has them. The corn pudding is also amazing....bits of fresh corn kernels with a mashed yet creamy base hence it being pudding. Everyone needs to try this place once. I do not want them to go out of business!!!!! The only reason i give it 4 stars is because they do no offer many vegetables, but they just added salads to the menu...about 2 i think.
(4)
Jason M.

You would think I was related to the owner. We eat here on a regular basis. Everything about this place is great. The staff including the owners are extremely friendly and do everything under the sun to make you feel at home. The food is great. We generally stick to the chicken but we haven't had anything bad yet. The prices are reasonable so it won't break your wallet. The dining room is loaded with flat screens so you won't miss a sports game. It is very family friendly so don't plan a romantic date here. We go here about once a week and I don't see that changing.
(5)
Tony S.

Live in 4S Ranch area and I have been to Brett's a few times but I can honestly say tonight was my last time! This place thrives on the 4s ranch community but I will be taking my business to Joey's. First off they say "if it's not smoked it's not BBQ" NO SHIT! But when you smoke the hell out of the meat it tastes like shit! I had the brisket sandwich the meat was so dry I could barely eat it. I guess I will have to drive a little bit farther for good BBQ.
(2)
Erick Z.

I keep going back but I'm not sure why. The pork ribs are OK. They are usually over cooked and seem like they've been sitting in a vat for days. The sauce is a little too sweet for me but sauce is very subjective... The sides are great, though and so is the BBQ chicken. Maybe that's why I go back - the corn pudding, fries, hush puppies, and onion rings!
(3)
Jeff M.

This had gotten high marks from people we know. We went last night and it was so pedestrian BBQ. My food was cold and dry (chicken and baby backs). My date had a pulled pork sandwich which was hot, but not great. For the money we paid $42 for one dinner and one sandwich, some hush puppies, and 2 imported beers. I will not be back. Phil's on Sports Arena rules this county. BTW the place was very slow. I asked the manager about putting on the baseball game, he said it was not being broadcast. I said I was sure, next thing you know the game was on and he wasn't even apologetic or appreciative of my insight.
(2)
Pancho Julio Chico R.

I had the pulled pork sammich and some hush puppies. The sandwich was pretty good, although the bun could use some work and the hush puppies had almost no flavor at all.
(2)
Liz A.

I am a fan....now. The first time we got food from here it was super dried out and I was not impressed. But on my boyfriends insistence we went back last Sunday evening. It was so good I couldn't even stop myself from eatting. The sweet potato fries and tasty, the BBQ chicken was soft and juicy, the best I've had. My boyfriend got the pork ribs which I stole some of too, equally as tasty. The BBQ sause has a sweet tang to it, and the meat was all perfectly made. The potato salad didn't wow me, I would go for the fried sides although the baked beans for good as well.
(4)
Jenny C.

this is the best bbq place i have ever tasted. the service was great the employees were also very nice. i recommend this bbq place to anyone
(5)
Lisa G.

Really really good. Its a no brain-er. I love the pit master salad. My husband loves the beef ribs.
(5)
George H.

I had the full rack of baby back ribs with cole slaw and sweet potato fries. The food was quite good and I would for sure recommend this place for BBQ in north county. Way better then Joey's but I still think Phils BBQ in Pt Loma is the best BBQ in San Diego. Also if you are at Brett's try the corn pudding its quite delicious.
(3)
A P.

Get the beef ribs, you will be blown away. Great food, the prices are fair, the portions are huge and delicious.
(5)
Rich L.

We order spare ribs. I guess they had run out. They didn't tell us that, but after we waited a extraordinarily long time they brought us a very large order of beef ribs, as if we wouldn't know the difference. It was a very disappointing experience. If they had been honest enough to explain the problem we could have ordered the pulled pork sandwich and left happy.
(1)
michelle m.

I'm not a BBQ expert (is there such a thing?) but I thought Brett's was really good. We split the sampler and I thought the meat was really flavorful. It had that nice smoky taste that makes you feel like you're camping. Also, you can't go wrong with sweet potato fries. I enjoyed it and thought it was much better than Kansas City BBQ, but that's just me. Plenty of seating and parking, the people were nice and the sink to wash off your BBQ laden fingers was really convenient.
(4)
Harmony D.

Ate here for lunch yesterday. The service was very good, the place was clean. I had the brisket with the beans and corn pudding...all were quite good but I agree with other reviewers that the sides are a bit small for the overall price of the meal. All-in-all, it was a good experience and I will go back if I am in the neighborhood.
(3)
Michael T.

With no other choices in the area (really didn't like Joey's), Brett's take the trophy grill. When I need a BBQ fix, this place will do the trick. It's not bad but then again, BBQ is like pizza -- most is okay. Once in awhile you'll find a great place (it's just not around 4S/Carmel Mtn) and to be bad, you've really got to screw it up.
(3)
Diana H.

We were very happy to finally see the "Now Open" banner on Brett's BBQ after waiting for seemingly months. Son #2's first comment on entering the restaurant, "Oh my gosh! The floor here is so CLEAN!" A little embarrassing, right in front of the employees. But he explained, usually barbeque places have really dirty sticky floors. Ok, that made sense. We all ordered baby back ribs, so that's the only meat I can comment on. But it was fabulous. Tender but not falling apart. Smokey. Infused with barbeque flavor. They had not been mopped with sauce, but there were three options on the table; ketchup, 'que sauce and hot sauce. The ketchup was a waste of space, who needs that? The 'que sauce was tangy and sweet. The hot sauce was kicky. Son #1 used plain sauce. Son #2 used nothing, hubby and I mixed hot sauce and 'que sauce. We were all happy. Great selection of sodas, appealing choice of beers, variety of wines (wine and barbeque??). They had hush puppies! I'm not an expert on hush puppies, but these were good. Crunchy outside, moist and flavorful inside. The fries were very thin and crispy. Almost like shoestring potatoes. They weren't my favorite, but I didn't order them, and the person who did liked them, so there ya' go. Baked beans were oooook. I think they could have been cooked a little longer, but that's often my thought on restaurant beans. I don't like 'em al dente. Finally, the service here was fantastic. It's the kind of place where you order at the counter and you get a number that sits on the table and they bring your food over. I'm sure there's a technical name for that. Anyway, we had an "accident" while we were starting to eat and I was cleaning it up. No biggie. But someone noticed and came over and helped. I think people came over three or four times just makin' sure everything was ok, removing plates, etc. Last finally, they have a row of faucets next to the door. So as you're leaving, you can wash your hands! How great is that? No, hmmm, do I want to go in to the skanky bathroom (which I'm sure it wasn't, so I shouldn't say that) and wash up or just wait until I get home? Very thoughtful. We were talking to the ... owner (I assume) and he says he does absolutely no advertising. It's all community service and word of mouth. "If you make it good, they will come." I think that's true. And I think he has no need to advertise. Brett's BBQ will do just fine. They rock.
(5)
M F.

The sweet potato fries are awesome. I also like the corn pudding. The service is alright. They (staff) seem a bit stoned when you are ordering. Nevertheless, the BBQ is good and I recommend it.
(4)
M M.

I love, love, love the sweet potato fries. I'd recommend going there just for those (but don't take them home b/c they get soggy fast). The bbq is okay, but expensive for the amount of food. The quality of the bbq really varies...some days it is juicy/delcious and some days it is dry/bad! This place is small, so be prepared to sit outside.
(3)
Sue N.

After hearing/reading all the hype about Brett's Thanksgiving bbq smoked turkey, I ordered one last year and was quite disappointed. The turkey was soooo dry and there was no more flavor than a regular turkey...not worth $100 folks! Sorry Brett...
(1)
Ken W.

Currently our favorite BBQ place in North County. We like it better than Joey's BBQ in Carlsbad.
(4)
TJ K.

Found this place just by using my awesome Yelp android app! I spent the day at Legoland and on our way out wanted BBQ beef ribs. A quick search gave me a few choices and Brett's was the second place I called asking if they had any beef ribs. The person I spoke with was very friendly and gave great details on their cooking process (the magic words being "slow cooked", "smoked" and of course " beef ribs"). I settled on the ribs (full rack has seven bones), a whole chicken, large side of fries and corn on the cob. Here are the few reasons I gave this place 5 stars: packaging, extra sauce, the food. Packaging: This was a take out order and we were driving so I was worried about the whole thing just getting slammed around in my trunk. When we got home the food was perfect and everything in the spot it was when we left 60 miles ago. Extra sauce: I like some extra sauce on my BBQ. This place did me justice and gave enough not to run out in the middle of the meal. The food: The ribs were amazing! Meaty, well cooked. You could tell they slapped the sauce while it was cooking. Not that half @$$ rubbing at the end before serving. You could taste the smokey and the flavor of the sauce was deep in the meat. The chicken was A+ very soft. We did not even use knives while eating. Same as the ribs, the sweet and smokey flavor was there and not over board. Fries were good and the corn came out nice and flavorful . We had enough food to feed 4 people and we had leftovers. This was the nice conclusion to a good day at Legoland.
(5)
San Diego N.

Suuuuuweeeeeee! Finally, someone who can cook a pig again, and I don't have to travel more than 30 minutes to get my pork on. Just when I was feeling melancholy over the lack of good BBQ in the north county, and hoping one day some fellow pig lover would come along and create a renaissance of the pig somewhere north of Miramar, it happened, like divine intervention of Piggly Wiggly himself. This may just be it, a rebirth of the piggy, but I've only been twice so, I'm not giving it a FIve yet. This is Brett's BBQ (and "No" Brett doesn't own this place, his name is just on it??). Funny how BBQ joints typically have some the most average names ever...Phil's, Joey's, Brett's, Jim's. This is their second restaurant and according to Bruce (one of the two owners) this is it! Two restaurants and done. Famous last words, Bruce, but if you are smart, you will hold to your word, when small businesses get too big too quick it's amazing how quick the food turns to dookie! From what I can tell so far, this place is going to be the best BBQ in North Coastal County, hands down. It does circles around Joey's BBQ which is the only other place I've ventured to in the north county since the closing of Big Jim's Ol South BBQ in Encinitas. And Big Jim could make some BBQ, but the service was abyssmal. But perhaps the North has been saved by Brett's. I suppose only time, and the consistency in quality of food/service will tell. I say so far-SO GOOD. This is a Southern BBQ joint, meaning they smoke their meats for a very long time...14 hours according to Bruce, serve Southern sides, Southern Sweet tea, and you would think "southern hospitality", but that may be the most difficult aspect to recreate when you are living in suburban Califorinia. Interestly, they do have blues music playing during opening hours. There are a few ways to do BBQ, open fire over coals, open fire over various flavors of wood, and then by using a "smoker". Personally, the best BBQ I've had has in almost all cases been with a smoker, whether that is the crazy neighbor who wakes up at 4am in order to smoke some pork loin and beef tip for 12 hours in his backyard while drinking all day, or at a BBQ restaurant run by a small family or business partnership--my best BBQ experiences have always been via the "SMOKER". That's not to say there isn't room for Phil's BBQ who has been doing it over mesquite wood for twenty plus years, but smokers just keep more of the flavor in the meat in most cases. So, as of right now, after eating at Brett's twice, I can give the pulled pork sandwich a 5/5 stars, not because the portions are generous, but because that is really how great the pork on this bad boy is. It is DYNO-MITE! I can give the sauce (2nd most important aspect to good Southern BBQ) 4/5 stars. It's pleasant, a little sweet, with very little kick. I like mine with a little more "kick", apparently Brett's BBQ is aiming to please the general public with this mild yet tasty version of Southern Sauce. I can give beef brisket 4/5 stars, for it's juicy tenderness, and it's flavor. It didn't completely knock me off my feet like the pork did. I'd try it again though, because I was very focused on my pig at the time. Ribs??? Chicken??? I will try those next. And that is the main reason I cannot give this place 5/5 stars, because I haven't rated the ribs yet. Which means, this review will eventually rate all aspects of the main meats available to order, and who knows maybe it will make a 5 star rating. Other highlights: Good Music-If you like the "blues". No -not John Mayer (God, help us!), the bluuuueeess (ie Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, BB King, Etc.) I could see this place being a great place to catch a football game--college or pro this fall due to the many flat screen televisions, and a descent selection of beer on tap, from local breweries such as Stone and Karl Strauss to the mainstream hops and barley we are accostomed to. It's clean, and the service was above average. The true test lies ahead for these guys. This restaurant is only a week old upon this review, will it be just as good 12 weeks from now, as it was in it's first week of service? Will the owner be just as interested in the quality of my experience as he was this week? Will it ever get so crowded that the quality of food/service go down? Will Brett survive where others in the North County haven't... I hope so, because otherwise the BBQ alternatives up yonder ways, ain't as purty as you'd like when you fixin to get your grub on.
(4)
kelly k.

We order the BBQ sampler with baby backs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and 2 sides, enough for both of us plus leftovers. Such a great smoky flavor without extra sauce, but we love the tangy, sweet, smokey sauce too. Pulled pork is usually my favorite, but its been my least favorite at Brett's, seems to be on the dry side. But the chicken, ribs and brisket are so moist and yummy, it more than makes up for a little lack of moisture in the pork. Their selection of sides isn't my favorite, either, but the shoe string fries are delish and the hush puppies had a nice oniony spice. I would vote for collard greens or fresh veggies as future side dishes, in case Brett is taking a poll.
(4)
Raleigh W.

brett's will do. a tad bit pricey for my taste as a pulled pork sandwhich and a side is $7.50. tastes fine though. try the corn pudding, it's pretty interesting. the best description that i can give is like a cornbread and flan combo, although that is a terrible approximation. having beers on tap is pretty awesome too.
(3)
J J.

The atmosphere is a little noisy so be prepared. I personally don't like that so I always get the food to go. First off, the people who work there are very nice, always friendly and always competent. One issue, though-always double check your order. The people who take the order are competent but the cooks don't speak english and don't understand what the order takers are telling them. They are also fast! When they say the food will be ready in 15 minutes, it will be. I like the Baby Back Ribs, a full rack will easily serve 2 people and you will both be full. The sauce is nice and tangy. Update-lately the ribs have been too much dry rub, not enough sauce and a little too spicy. The sweet potatoe fries are very good, the regular fries can use some improvement. The Coleslaw is excellent, as good as in the best Deli's in NY.If it's fresh, twice I have received cole slaw that was nasty. I also like to get a corn muffin. They are tiny but only about a buck.
(4)
Lindsay S.

If you love BBQ this is a great place to go in North County. The location is a little odd but the bbq sauce is incredible as is the brisket. My husband had the salad with pulled chicken and it was awesome. Don't be taken aback by the location or if the place is empty, I think a lot of people get it to go. The shoe string french fries are also a must.
(5)
Ted L.

This is the closest rival to Phils BBQ that I have found in San Diego. If I didnt live so far from Encinitas I would visit all the time. Great sauce.
(5)
DaisyMae M.

What a wonderful find! Brett's BBQ has "authentic" written all over it from the smoker perfuming the parking lot to a darn decent house barbecue sauce. I judge my barbecue by the sides, sauce, and smoke ring ... Brett's didn't let me down. My beans were a little mushy by 7:30 PM on a Sunday, but they had good sweet and smoky flavor. The cole slaw was a little finely chopped/food processed for my preference, but the flavor was definitely there and wasn't overly sauced either. My favorite side was a MONSTER corn pudding. It was amazingly delicious and sweet enough to pass for dessert. I ordered a pound of chopped brisket to take home and when I opened the package, I was delighted by what I saw: MEAT ... honest to goodness brisket rather than what usually looks (and tastes) more like roofing shingles. Even better, it tasted as good as it looked. I will be a regular Brett's customer. There IS barbecue in San Diego!
(4)
victoria a.

I'm from a Southern background & have written & produced segments for the Food Network. If you love BBQ you're going to LOVE Bretts! All cooked 'n smoke right there. The owner or manager is good & the bus boy attentive. Folks seem to go for the to go orders however it was football Monday. Go ... you'll thank me.
(5)
Colin S.

So we made the trip from Costa Mesa to Encinitas for an Easter / Birthday luncheon. 1:00pm meet the family in a very clean and surprisingly empty Brett's 1:05 had a large salad filled with BBQ chicken that was awesome as a group starter for the 10 of us. (highly recommend this as an entree) 1:10 ordered second salad as it was so tasty and we only got a small taste each why not???? 1:15 placed my order for the combo. 1:20 was served a platter of flavor. Started with the brisket that was tender, smoky, and cooked to perfection. I was lucky enough to get some end pieces that were a bit on the charred side aka VERY TASTY. I liked the serving of sauce they portioned out. It did not drowned it or overwhelm the flavor. The pulled pork was also well prepared. A light crust while still being most and succulent. The chicken was fall off the bone tender with a great zest and again just the right amount of sauce to enhance the flavor not to overwhelm. The baby back ribs were good but unfortunately they were not the star of the show as I had hoped. Add to that my two sides of beans and sweet potato fries and I had so much food that even with my big appetite I had some hefty leftovers. 1:25 being that we had a group of 10 some sharing occurred. The hush puppies were a treat, the wings were mild in spice and had a first-rate flavor. The coleslaw was typical and the regular fries were good but ultimately they are the ugly step child to the sweat potato fry. 1:45 used the trough like sink near the entrance to wash off hands and clean the sides of my face. What a great and novel idea. Saves the line at the bathroom and having to bite open the silly lemon scented wet naps served at so many other BBQ places. All in all had a good meal at a great price. Every one left full with some left overs for most. You can't find much wrong at a meal here at Brett's
(4)
Shane K.

The first time I went here I couldn't decide what to get, so I got the sampler. Their sausages are freaking unreal!!! The whole/half chicken is good, but a bit over priced. The brisket wasn't that good to be honest. While the ribs are decent. But if you like smoked sausage, you will not be disappointed here at Brett's. I love BBQ and am sad that we have so little of it in San Diego. Brett's delivers good BBQ for by California standards, but if you're from Kansas City, Texas, Memphis or Carolina, you probably wouldn't be impressed. No disrespect to Brett's tho, they do a great job for California.
(4)
Jacob A.

There was a time when BBQ was scarce in North County and I would turn to the heavens and weep. Nowadays it seems decent smoked meats are popping up everywhere and Brett's is a more than solid entry. The pulled pork was overflowing the bun and super tender. (though the bun was of the boring hamburger family, they could use some rad artisan rolls). The sauce was sweet, but a little tame for me. I prefer "Phil's" or the variety of "Famous Daves" (Georgia Mustard FTW) to these guys in that department. The potato salad was decent; yellow, not too sweet and suitably potatoey, fairly standard. Onion rings were small and super crispy, and you get a ton of them. (They're not loose, soggy or overly bready like some places serve). Where Brett's really shined was the hush puppies. I haven't had an authentic one of these since I was in New Orleans, but man, Brett's got these spot on. Tightly rolled little cornbread bastards perfectly seasoned with a hint of onion and garlic. They also knocked the sweet tea out of the park. Every BBQ joint around here dumps a half ton of sugar into their sweet tea, but here it was subdued and refreshing. Awesome. I'd definitely do Brett's again, and I prefer them over "Smokin' Joey's" which is just down the street. Their food is better and they have WAY more seating. It was empty when I went but they tell me it can get crammed on weekends.
(4)
Peter H.

The best bbq I had so far. We ran into the owner in the parking lot and he showed us those huge smokers. We had the BBQ sampler plate with brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken and everything was really tender and delicious. The best bbq I had so far, nice people and good beer. I will come again.
(5)
Rachel R.

Disclaimer: My husband and I are from Texas. This place is okay. My husband and I were craving bbq...which is just hard to find in California. Its difficult to find something that satisfies our craving. This place satisfied it, but not completely. I think for California, this place is very good. But, if it were in Texas, we wouldn't go more than once. 1) the food and 2) $17 dollars for a plate of brisket would never fly in Texas, LOL. Also, you can't really be a legit BBQ place without some type of cobbler on the menu. No cobbler here. I think they had bread pudding, but I don't really understand why. We may go back from time to time, but it will never replace the real deal.
(3)
Ryan S.

Being from Texas I had to try the BBQ Brisket that said "Texas would be proud!" underneath it... Texas would not be proud... Texas might award a participation medal, but that's about it. First off, I understand BBQ is expensive, but this place is outrageous! $17 for a brisket plate is just insane! The meat was tender, but dry without being smothered in bbq sauce. The seasonal corn on the cob was fair and the corn pudding wasn't something I would order again. The restaurant was clean with lots of seating and they have a big trough sink to wash your hands in before leaving. There was only one chick taking orders and running food, but that's all they really needed considering there were maybe 4 other people in the restaurant. She was friendly, so that was a plus. Overall, I won't be back. Save your time and money.
(2)
Chan'tel G.

My job catered a 4th of July BBQ from here and I got to try a few things... I had BBQ chicken, but my fave was the brisket. Yum! You could tell it was wonderfully smoked. No way that was just liquid smoke. If so, I need the recipe. Their sauce is decent. Not too sweet. I'm pretty good at making potato salad and I'm typically not a fan of "store bought" potato salad, but theirs surprisingly wasn't too bad at all. Never been a fan of coleslaw, so I skipped that. Despite my roots, I'm not normally a big cornbread eater. There were mixed reviews amongst my coworkers about it (many saying it was too sweet). I gave it a try as a and yup, it was sweet and I liked it. Tasted a bit like a dessert muffin or frosting-less corn cupcake. I'd save it for the end. Some topped it with a little pad of butter. Nothing wowed me, but it was pretty good BBQ. I would stop by If I was in the area.
(4)
Matthew S.

Having relocated to San Diego from Texas four years ago, I have been very badly missing my BBQ. I have tried a variety of places where they think BBQ brisket and tri-tip with barbecue sauce sauce are the same thing! That is just wrong. As they say at Brett's, "It ain't BBQ, if it isn't smoked." Considering myself a BBQ connoisseur, I have had the good fortune of eating at some of the nation's top BBQ joints. I can safely say that Brett and his team could beat a lot more well known BBQ establishments in the South with the fine food they meticulously prepare. Ask Brett what he recommends, but I'm partial to the brisket sandwich. You really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, and the casual atmosphere and outstanding customer service make Brett's a spot I highly recommend.
(5)
Arena L.

This place was definitely a good choice. We wanted to order some barbecue chicken to go that looked as good as chicken grilled at home. We picked a pulled pork sandwich and a pulled chicken sandwich with mac and cheese as sides and a quarter chicken. The sandwich got tiring at the end because the chicken was bland without very much sauce already in it. Never the less, the bread was tender and fluffy. I loved it. The chicken was what I was looking forward to. Tender and juicy meat and flavored better than the sandwich, slathered with the sauce. The mac and cheese was not exceptional, just good. Not the most savory. We'll be coming back!
(5)
NYSD G.

just killer pulled pork and beef brisket. smokey, super tender and moist with a good sauce that's not too sweet and tangy. their mac and cheese was soul food like as well as their crunchy outside and soft inside hush puppies. we can't wait to go back.
(5)
Brian G.

After trying other BBQ places close by, and always having some disappointment or another (long waits for take out, no beef, less than remarkable quality etc) we followed a recommendation to Brett's last night - again only for carry out, and a 20-25 minute drive to get there but well worth it! We both ordered the beef brisket - and as sides I had the BBQ beans and coleslaw. Called ahead to place the order said my GPS predicted I would be there at 7.33pm and I arrived within a minute of two of that. Our meals were waiting for us and marked "7:30". Piping hot, fresh and ready to go. The manager greeted me with a big smile and a little chit-chat and then asked if I wanted utensils etc - said that I wouldn't need a knife for the brisket (he gave them anyway) as it had cooked/smoked overnight and would melt in the mouth - and he was right! Delicious, tender and the sauce was excellent. Plentiful portions too - dinner last night and I just warmed the rest for lunch with the second pot of sauce that he supplied. Delicious. I will be back!!
(5)
Justin J.

I have a pair of blood relatives who dote over the North County answer to Phil's. Stopped in on a rain soaked Wednesday afternoon for chow. My friend and I were the only two paying souls in the house. My friend ordered the Beef Brisket with a side of French Fries and Hush Puppies. Love the guy but his diet is mostly made up of brown and beige, Russian roulette style. I snatched a forkful of the brisket before he shoveled it in and found it to be a little tough and Betty White dry. I ordered the Pork Spare Ribs and had BBQ Beans and Vegetables for sides. The beans were decent and Brett's sauce has an interesting flavor depth, perhaps some coffee in the mix? The vegetables were sitting in a small dish drenched in oily margarine and I barely picked at it. The Ribs were my focus and the ones selected for my plate were NOT good. When the plate was set in front of me I noticed right off hand that they were abnormally dark. I hoped it was from a nice smoke ring or the caramelized char of the succulent swine but after taking a couple bites it was clear that the ribs were just burnt, I'm guessing from the reheating process. The singed sauce on the outside of the meat gave off a putrid, bitter taste. Due to my family's (some) affinity, I am sure I will have another go of their Que, but this trip to Brett's left a bad taste.
(2)
Gee M.

Brett's what happened! We know you're not phils but you used to put out solid bbq with good pricing. Today was a baddddd experience. We ordered two brisket sandwiches with a side of fries and beans. We grabbed our coke cups and went to fill up and by the time we got to our table the server was on our heels rushing to place our food. Me and my date looked at each other and thought what the heck, but thought well it is bbq. Well then it all played out. How can you make decent fries in 30 seconds, you can't. They were lukewarm, floppy and the serving was small. The beans were also very small like a kids size and also lukewarm. The brisket sandwiches were warmer but they too were on the small size and the meat was just about commercial at best today. We left still hungry and while we only spend $22 for 2 that should never happen at a bbq place. Even the pickle on the side looked very sad. We'll probably try one more time but then again maybe not since we drove all the way from Oceanside.
(2)
Lyndsey C.

I didn't look at the yelp reviews until after we ordered so I was a bit nervous when I did see a few of them, but I was glad we stayed anyways. I ordered the tri tip dip, and was very pleased. My boyfriend ordered BBQ Brisket sandwich, and loved it. The fries were great, but the pickles left something to be desired. Mine was too tough, and his was mushy. Overall, I'll probably go back.
(4)
Hughsten S.

I'm usually disappointed by BBQ places in CA but I was really surprised with Bretts!!! I had the pulled pork sandwich with BBQ beans and really enjoyed the meal. The pulled pork wasn't soggy as many places seem to serve, the sauce had a great flavor and even though the beans could have been cooked a little longer (still a little hard) they had a great taste. I had the "Southern Sweet Tea" which was anything but!!!! It was a fountain drink with a neat little dispenser to make you think it was fresh brewed. FYI not self respecting southern person drinks fountain sweet tea!!! I will be dinning here often but without the Sweet Tea.
(5)
James L.

I always get the brisket and tri tip with macaroni and cheese. They do a great job smoking their meat until its very tender. The macaroni and cheese is very good too. Corn muffins come with the meal too and they are good. The facility is clean and the staff are friendly. This is a North County staple for barbecue. I'll be back soon!
(4)
Lori C.

The hubby and I were looking to have some good bbq for dinner and came across this place on yelp! It was easy to find, friendly ladies that took our order and when the food came we couldn't believe how great it was. We were eating our own orders and each other's. I had brisket it was fork tender, potato salad as good as my moms and corn bread that melted in my mouth! The hubby had baby back ribs that had a caramelized crunch on the outside and tender on the inside. He had corn pudding ( we had to ask what that was) it was so delicious he had to tell me to stop eating his food. Going table to table was owner Bruce checking on everyone offering to get you more drink. We are so full and will be back again next time we are in town!
(5)
Holly S.

Went here for my birthday last night my family & I really enjoyed this BBQ spot! The food was excellent probably the best smoked style ribs I've had in a very long time! The service was great too food came out in perfect timing. Although this wasn't too populated on an Tuesday evening I VERY much enjoyed being able to have a conversation without having to repeat myself due to loudness around me (I cant stand very heavily populated restaurants in which you cant even hear yourself think) Employees were very nice as well as the owner who was stopping by each table checking on the customers, I appreciate that! I was recommended to come here by a fellow coworker & I recommend anyone else to try this place as well!
(5)
Jacqueline S.

We came here from San Diego after the urge for BBQ hit us in the afternoon. We chose Bretts's after we found it and its fairly good reviews on Yelp. The place was easy to find. There was plenty of parking. Inside, the restaurant was super clean with plenty of seating and with good background music (blues). After getting a good recommendation from a departing customer and the polite and friendly answers to a few of our questions by the counter staff, we ordered short bone and long bone pork rib plates with coleslaw, beans, hush puppies, sweet tea and "red soda pop from a good selection of bottled sodas. The wait staff were friendly, helpful, and attentive. The Food: The sweet tea needed, dare I say, more sugar!!! The coleslaw was just okay. The beans and hush puppies were really good. And of importance, the BBQ was solid!!! Properly cooked, good crunchy exterior, robust but not overwhelming favors. And with the addition of the on-table BBQ and hot sauce mixed, the BBQ was super good. It was suggested by a customer that we have the bread pudding but we were full and didn't...but we thought about it! And I loved that there was a 3-station sink alongside the dining area!!! It's excellent to have a trough-style hand washing station not associated with the restrooms in a restaurant where hand washing at the end of the meal is required. This was brilliant forward thinking!! Who needs warm towels and sliced lemons when there is warm running water and lanolin soap?!!! Such a cool touch!! So all in all, we will likely come back the next time we are in the area!!
(4)
Joe C.

For a San Diego area BBQ this was OK. However, the brisket was DRY, the mac n cheese could have been from a box, and the hush puppies were ordinary. Don't be fooled, this is not even close to great and even 3 stars is too generous if you want to rate this place on a national scale. I'm not sure if it is the average quality of the restaurant supply beef, or the cooking process, or both, but when you visit a real BBQ the quality of the ingredients make it great. Not so at Bretts.
(3)
Chris R.

Anytime you have to use a knife to eat ribs, FAIL! The pulled pork was good, the brisket was decent, chicken was good, but the ribs were horrible. Baby Blues BBQ in Venice Beach is real BBQ; this is more like drive through BBQ. I personally would never eat here again. Ribs need to be falling off of the bone. You should be able to eat ribs with your fingers, no knife required. Owners need to reevaluate the quality of their food big time.
(1)
Scott C.

I love Brett's!! I've never had a bad experience there. The bbq is awesome. The salmon and chicken are also outstanding. The staff is super friendly too. I'll take Brett's over any other bbq place around here. Keep up the good work!!
(5)
Jeremy S.

Well, I was a tad bit disappointed in Brett's. Ordered a half chicken with a couple of sides (corn and potato salad) also the pulled pork sandwich with BBQ beans. To summarize; the chicken was average but the sides were really good. The pulled pork was good, but not great and the BBQ beans were awesome. It is also a bit pricey for the items received.
(3)
Sophia S.

Amazing BBQ and homestyle, family service! The owner is so sweet and came to our table to chat. Our server Haley is so pretty and sweet! I don't eat ribs, but I tore up the potato salad and veggies while I watched my boyfriend devour what appeared to be an entire cow. We left with his smiling face covered in BBQ sauce. How about 10 stars!
(5)
Deanna C.

Very Tasty! It's been hard to find a good BBQ joint out here. I've had the best BBQ being from KCMO and lived in Texas. My sister and I shared a dinner for lunch. Ribs and Pork. They both had a really good flavor. I really like Famous Daves- but, the ribs were pretty equal between the two places. I also like both places pork. Famous Daves Brisket is better. Brett's brisket looked like chopped pork to me and I didn't care for the flavor. But, Hands down both Brett's and Famous Dave's kick Phil's hiney. (I don't like Phils, Ribs, pork and they don't have Brisket! )
(4)
Shannon R.

Wow!! This is the only place that compares to Texas BBQ! Incredible!!! Delicious! Haven't had better BBQ in my life. Fed 8 people for $105!
(5)
David S.

Finally real Texas BBQ in San Diego! As a former Houston resident, I have been searching for good Texas BBQ, specifically a meat combo plate, pulled pork, brisket, ribs and chicken. All of which were excellent. To wash it down all down they even have Shiner Bock. Thanks Bruce, great place we will be back soon.
(5)
Lanai M.

I ordered a pulled pork sandwich and it was too dry. When I told one of the staff the owner immediately came over and apologized. He then replaced my sandwich with a delicious juicy one! The owner kept on checking in to make sure I was enjoying my meal. I appreciate the great customer service and care the owner has for his food and customers. I will definitely be coming back and hopefully try everything on the menu!
(5)
David K.

Brett's is a criminally underrated and underutilized restaurant in Encinitas. San Diego is an area that constantly talks about Phil's BBQ. Like did you know that GUY FIERI went to Phil's BBQ?!?!?!? I totally need to eat where a food expert like GUY FIERI eats at. Who else would know what was cool other than GUY FIERI?!?!?! Here's a newsflash to all of the overweight tourists visiting San Diego from Missouri. Phil's is mediocre at best. San Diego is an area that, when it comes to BBQ, lives and dies by it's tri-tip. Phil's takes their ultra-smoky tri-tip and then dumps their cloyingly sweet sauce on it, covering up the flavor of the meat. Luckily, there are still places like Brett's that rely on their technique and quality of ingredients to produce quality barbequed meats. Specifically, Brett's tri-tip is a competitor for best in the county. Perfectly tender, well seasoned, and perfectly prepared. Not only that, Brett's offers their tri-tip not just in a traditional BBQ platter with sides, you can get it in the best sandwich format, the beef dip with au jus and horseradish on the side. Being a BBQ place, don't expect formal dining. You order at the counter (including craft beer!), sit down and have your food brought out. Located in a space formerly inhabited by Oscar's, the booths are still the slick plastic you'd expect from mid 90's fast casual eateries. But who goes to BBQ for the decor?! I'll tell you who: GUY FIERI does. Don't be a GUY FIERI. P.S. On a parenting note, when our daughter was 1 week old, we took her to Brett's for her first time out to eat. For whatever reason, Brett's was incredibly easy to bring a baby to. If a meltdown starts happening, you can sit on the ample patio to calm them down. Maybe it's the casual atmosphere that helps calm the parents when something isn't going perfectly with the baby.
(5)
Stephanie A.

It's only my first visit so I won't judge too harshly. I went to Brett's in hopes of finding some southern comfort food. Definitely not Texas quality. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, baked beans, and cornbread muffin to go. Cons: The pulled pork was dry and over cooked. The mac and cheese was burnt. The cornbread muffin was okay. Unfortunately there's only one right way to cook cornbread and that's in cast iron. Pros: The bbq sauce is tasty. The baked beans were pretty spot on. The southern sweet tea is refreshing. The staff is friendly and that's always nice. Overall I wasn't impressed, but I might give it a chance at redemption.
(3)
Nathan C.

I'm going to compare this place to Phils just like everyone else. I got the pulled pork with a side of mashed potatoes, the pulled pork was bland and I have a good feeling that they steamed it to re moisten it. The potatoes where pretty gross. All of this for almost double the price for the same at Phils and for less.
(2)
Danny B.

I was craving some mind blowing pulled pork and fries smothered in delicious sauce and Brett's BBQ hooked it up!! Sweet smokey heaven.
(5)
Courtney G.

Tried take out from here for the first time and I was not disappointed! I got the half order of baby back ribs and it came with two sides which I got the potato salad and macaroni and cheese. The ribs were amazing! Very charred yet tender. It comes with a side of bbq sauce but in my opinion they are good as is! My boyfriend loved the potato salad and I was not too impressed with the Mac and cheese. My dad got the bbq beef brisket sandwich and was in heaven! He also got the potato salad and loved it as well! The prices are a little high but it's the best bbq you can get living around encinitas! It has been there for years now which that location has been known to change often so that shows the success of the restaurant. Would for sure go back again :) not for their Mac and cheese though :/
(4)
Judy W.

We ordered BBQ for 60 people for a Memorial Day event. They loved it! Our menu included: pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sliders, beans, coleslaw, and corn muffins. Brett suggested just the right amounts for our group, delivered it exactly on time, and set everything out on the table for us. This is the second time we have had Brett's cater an event for the same group, and I think many people came again specifically for the BBQ.
(5)
Biggs J.

First or second best Bbq in San Diego. Much much better than Phils or even Mikes. Real wood smoked. One year I bought a whole smoked turkey for Thanksgiving-outstanding.
(5)
Andrew F.

Finally had a opportunity to try Brett's BBQ in Encinitas. I'm a beef rib lover so I had to try theirs. For 17.00 I received 4 (long)beef ribs and two sides. Pretty good deal considering good BBQ isn't cheap anywhere you go. Ribs where good. Not super meaty but decent. Good flavor. Enjoyed Brett's sauce as well. Sides where ok. Beans are good. Coleslaw was a little bland. Meat has a good smoke flavor with out being overly smoky. Worth going back when I'm in the area. Staff was friendly. Had a good talk with one of the women who worked there. Can't remember her name. It's cool to be able to talk BBQ shop with those who do it for a living.
(4)
Amanda M.

Decent BBQ, ordered here a few times. Pulled pork sandwich is always good but some times just a little dry. The Mac n cheese side dish is great! The staff is extremely nice and friendly.
(4)
Mark M.

My favorite bbq restaurant! The food is consistently good and the service is top notch. My favorite is the tri tip sandwich, but you cant go wrong with anything on the menu. The co owner Bruce is very friendly and treats my friends and me like family. Both the Encinitas and Rancho bernardo locations are great!
(5)
Curtis Z.

Dang man. I grew up in Kansas so I know a thing or two about BBQ. I am not pretentious like most Texans are about their BBQ. Actually when I lived in Austin I thought I was going to die of direct, acute exposure to BBQ hipsters. But I digress. Brett's BBQ is delicious. Being from Kansas City (or about twenty miles west of there -- Rock Chalk!), I am a big fan of sauce. Brett's BBQ puts a pretty standard coat of their delicious sauce on their meats, but they also put a couple extra plastic cups of sauce in each portion, just for KC BBQ fans like myself. Putting it on the side to me is a surefire sign that they know there's a big variety of tastes out there in the world. Just another sign they know what they're doing. I'm personally a big pork rib guy. Technically I'm a rib guy regardless of the animal it comes from, and I am known among my friends and family as "the guy who makes amazing ribs", but I do prefer pork ribs. Brett's BBQ knows how to cook ribs. A common misconception about ribs is that "fall off the bone" is the "best" kind of ribs. Actually, "fall off the bone" ribs are overcooked ribs. It's a fact that the longer you cook a rack of ribs, the better it's going to taste. That being said, overcooked ribs aren't amazing. You're not getting an excellent rack of ribs if it's been overcooked. It's real hard to toe that line consistently. Brett's BBQ must teach this lesson on day one of employee training. I almost always order the ribs, and they are almost always cooked perfectly. And with just enough sauce on the side to make a KC BBQ fan happy. Also, their brisket is amazing, with a visceral, smoky flavor that is hard to master in good smoked brisket. I don't make a lot of brisket, so I can't speak for the methods they use to cook it, but it's definitely smoked for just the right amount of time that results in an excellent brisket. I am a fan of Brett's BBQ. That much must be obvious by now. But one of my favorite things there are the cornbread muffins. If you have even the slightest amount of country in you, you would be doing yourself a favor by ordering one or two of these for your side. Finally, we've been using FreeRestaurantDelivery (dot com) to get our Brett's BBQ fix. I haven't even been to the physical restaurant, but I order at least once a month. So for what it's worth, we wouldn't have even heard of Brett's BBQ without FreeRestaurantDelivery. Give them a try if you want it delivered to your door without an exorbitant delivery charge. The prices are the same as in the restaurant. Presumably, Brett's BBQ pays FRD for the service somehow, but just in case Brett's owners see this, please keep your deal with FRD, and we'll keep ordering your amazing meat.
(5)
Jill T.

Think this may be my new favorite Encinitas restaurant. Having eaten at Phil's too I can say I like the BBQ sauce at Bretts much better. Less sweet and it doesnt overpower the flavor of the meat. My husband and I tried the pulled chicken sandwich with Mac & cheese and the BBQ chicken with sweet potato fries and corn pudding. All was really good but I especially loved the Corn pudding. Never had that before but its my new favorite side dish. Service is quick and there is a nice place to wash up after you eat. Highly recommend.
(5)
Shirley g.

Best bbq in town!! And I'm a pretty tough critic(native Texan). Very friendly staff and sweet tea and hush puppies! Omg. Thank you, Brett's! No comparison to Phil's.
(5)
Chrissy N.

3.5 stars, but rounding up. Not bad BBQ for the area, but if you're willing to drive a little further, there are several other options. The sauce at Brett's is tasty, but the meat unfortunately is a little..."skinny". I got the baby back ribs and there didn't seem to be much meat on the bones. The texture was great though. Not too soft where it completely falls off the bone; it had the right amount of bite. Brett, the man himself, took our order and he was a little standoffish. Didn't seem that nice to me, to be honest, but it was around 8 so maybe he just had a long day. The best part of the meal was actually the side dishes. The sweet potato fries were super hot and crispy. Absolutely delicious. The potato salad was also very good. They were the creamy eggy style of potato salads that I usually like. I don't know if I would go out of my way to come back here, but if I was in the area, I may stop by.
(4)
Jen E.

I am not someone who likes BBQ food. That being said, I don't eat much of it. but when I do I go to Brett's. I seriously could eat here like 3 times a week and not be sick of it, maybe 100 pounds heavier, but not sick of it. Its right down the street from my work in Encinitas so its super convient for me. I tried all kinds of stuff here, my favorites are pulled pork and sweet potato fries, and onion rings!!!! Brett's has the BEST onion rings I have ever had in my life. I've also tried, pulled chicken, Texas rope sausage, BBQ baked potato with pork, smoked turkey, and all the sides you can think of. Everything is good! I usually stick to pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, just because its my fav. Service is always great, friendly and quick. Definite 5 out of 5 for me
(5)
Aydin G.

Brisket. Sweet Potato Fries. Hush Puppies. Enough said.
(5)
Seinfeld J.

Family owned AND run (the owner served us our food!) quick, easy, clean with great service to boot. Kid friendly with casual indoor and outdoor self seating. Bring a huge group and push a bunch of tables together-no fuss. Order the special, a la carte, or a meat entrÃ©e with sides of your choosing! Fall of the bone meat of many animals. Unlimited fountain drink refills and a table stocked full of paper towels. What more could you ask for in a BBQ joint? The answer is nada!
(5)
Z P.

Come here for lunch sometimes. The big white guy doesn't seem like he's happy. He is a very morose individual, which brings me down haha. He needs to be happy and passionate for his work. The bbq sauce is alright. Everything is just too expensive. $12 for lunch... Great brisket though
(2)
Annie T.

uuhhhm....YUM! One of my favorite places in Encinitas! Friendly people, "family-owned," delicious food. I can't stay away!! My husband and I used them for our catered Halloween party and I ordered all of my own, personal, faves. Pulled Chicken and Brisket sliders, potato salad, beans AND the corn pudding. Our guests raved and I seriously plugged Brett's to them. We give as much business as we can to the small businesses in the area and as I mentioned before...this is a favorite. Go! Eat There!
(5)
Paul O.

Great bbq!!! Excellent service & hospitality!!! They do go the extra mile to help you decide what your looking for when you are not familiar with meat & cut types.
(5)
Rob H.

Excellent food, fantastic customer service. Atmosphere is awesome too. I love listening to some blues rock while I eat my BBQ. Highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
(5)
Christyn B.

This casual, friendly restaurant hosts an inviting environment as well as can claim the best BBQ in all of Southern California! From the moment you step in the door, you're greeted by the employees with a smile and they go out of they're way to make sure you're getting the ultimate BBQ meal! My fiancÃ©e is a Deaf, and one of the gals who works there knew enough sign language to be able to understand her order. Meanwhile, the actually owner, Bruce, introduced himself and spoke to us about his daughter who knows sign language. He also went out of his way to explain how Brett's gets such an incredible, consistently amazing taste on all their meats and provided handwritten instructions as to the best way to reheat the ribs back at home (because the portions are generous and my fiancÃ©e wasn't able to finish the whole thing.) We have never been greeted and accepted so warmly, enthusiastically and heartily! It truly was the best thing about our weekend. Thank you Brett's BBQ, and we'll definitely be back!
(5)
Shelby E.

We decided to try this place for the first time tonight. We ordered half rack of ribs, onion rings and pit master salad with brisket. The salad was just ok. There was such a meager amount of meat on it that I finished it before I could take a picture. Next time I'll try the brisket plate since the meat was very tasty. The baby back ribs tasted good but they were quite dry which was rather disappointing considering how perfect they looked. Won't be getting these again. Lastly the onion rings. They had great flavor but the batter on some of them wasn't cooked all the way and had a doughy texture. Brett's is definitely worth a shot. We will be back to try the pulled pork and sweet potato fries. Hope they're better than the ribs :/
(3)
S L.

Popped in for lunch. First of all for this fan and cook of Texas BBQ its a travesty that you would smoke meat and then slather it with sauce. Use a dry rub and some pecan or hickory wood man! That said the meat is not as tasty as it could be but not bad for a CA knock off. Just don't come in with huge expectations
(3)
April L.

Definitely the place to go for your fix of BBQ. I had the pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries. Both were delicious. The fries were some of the best I've had. I enjoyed the sandwich a lot. Unlike most pulled pork sandwiches it was not super sloppy with sauce. Depending on your taste that may be a good or bad thing. The tables have bottles of BBQ sauce so you can always add more if needed. Overall a really good place with helpful staff. I'll be back soon!
(4)
Eric A.

What can I say? This is some of the best Bbq I have had! Tender beef brisket with a tangy sauce. Add a side of homemade mac n cheese and consider it done!
(5)
Joe O.

Brisket was dried out. :T Sauce has too much vinegar. Mac n Cheese is pretty good. Won't be back.
(2)
Malcolm S.

Overall I think this is a nice place. It is very airy and bright. There are TVs throughout the space and the staff were all nice. The food is fine but generic. The BBQ sauce is so so but all the meats look the same and not well presented. Just a big pile, not appealing. So in a nutshell, this place is worth trying out, I'm sure lots of people will like it.
(4)
Spenser E.

Amazing BBQ! Great family feel and passion behind the kitchen we defiantly enjoyed our time and will be back for more!!!
(5)
Ralph C.

Just great southern BBQ. The owners Bruce and Brett are super friendly and really care about making a great meal. This place is the best BBQ I've had in San Diego.
(5)
Brian A.

Potato salad is really good. Beans are really good. The wings are okay. Pulled pork sandwich is good. Mac and cheese is better than okay. 3 1/2 stars for having a legit bbq place in Encinitas.
(4)
Courtney K.

Well, all I hear all day long at work is how great Phil is at this or how wonderful Phil did that. Phil! Phil! Phil! Ok, so if you don't get that opening line the clearly you have not watched enough of The Brady Bunch in your life. The point here is that Phil's BBQ is all the buzz in San Diego but its important to realize that Brett's is equally tasty. I've been to Brett's several times and I've never been disappointed. First, I love that its quiet in there. Yes, there is some southern blues playing in the background and the game is on, but rather than a frenzy of crazy activity it is a relaxed group of people getting their hog on. You order at the counter and then plop down in a seat. I've never had to wait for a table, thank goodness. Their chicken and tri-tip is awesome and I dream about their ribs. I've had most of their sides and I must say, their mac-and-cheese just might be my favorite. They have lots of beer on tap, a few wines, sweet tea, iced tea and sodas. Brett typically comes around and chats with the customers which I appreciate, although tonight he seemed distracted by Monday night football. Oh well, Brett can serve me the pig and have the pig skin for himself. You know Brett's mean business because they have a big stainless steel hand washing sink near the exit. But I always skip that step because I like the smell of BBQ on my hands - it's like perfume to me. If you're craving some real BBQ without a long wait them belly up at Brett's.
(4)
Stephen B.

Food is alright but it takes forever! Not really worth the wait. My order was messed up as well. Definitely better BBQ places in San Diego.
(2)
Teresa B.

The beef ribs are where is at. Disappointed with 2 other visits I just kept trying. The pork, the chicken dry and the sauce tasted like to much like liquid smoke but today I found my favorite. The beef ribs, Texas style ;)
(4)
Kari E.

I had the pulled pork sandwich which was really good. The only thing I would have wished for was to be able to try more sides. They all look really good but you only get one with the sandwich. Decisions decisions!! Staff was friendly.
(4)
Gavin G.

Went with my friend and I have to say, I liked the food better than either Phil's BBQ or Tony Roma's. We went to the 4S Ranch location and I plan to go next to Encinitas, where they said they had a bigger dining room. I not only loved the beef ribs and pulled pork, the sides were great- macaroni and cheese seemed home-made. It's like blasphemy to live in San Diego and say anything bad about Phil's, but there ya go!
(5)
Linda S.

We were in the area last night and decided to try this place. We were lucky we were ahead of the long crowd. I ordered the full baby back ribs and my husband had the cured salmon plate. The ribs were so tough and chewy and the sides were just ordinary. Either the ribs were of poor quality or they were just not cooked long enough. The salmon was fair, nothing special. I took half of the ribs home and re-cooked them but they were still tough. They ended up in the trash. I know I'll receive hate mail for this comment but I doubt the other patrons with the four-star reviews know quality even if a rib bone hit them in their faces. We will not be returning to this chain.
(1)
Wyndie M.

Thank you fellow Yelpers for helping me find this place yesterday. Portions are generous, sweet potato fries are epic, place is clean, service is fast and courteous and the paper towels are bountiful. I judge a plate of ribs according to how many napkins are needed. I had the pulled pork which was piled high and had the perfect amount of BBQ sauce. Sauce had a bit of tang to it, which was unexpected. All in all, if I'm in the area again.. I'm coming back with a big appetite.
(4)
Tristen H.

The food here is excellent and I love the environment! You can't beat that yummy brisket!
(4)
Ben D.

This place for most people will be too good and "ignorance is bliss" applies to you. Unless you want your delicious pallet to sky rocket then don't order anything but sofa and water. Salmon, sweet potato fries and corn pudding should be illegal on how amazing they are together. Blonde beer to top it off is pure euphoric. Consumer beware.
(5)
Justin R.

I love me the turkey sandwiches. The pulled pork and and ribs are great too.
(5)
Eric D.

Friendly atmosphere, nice old lady behind the counter. We had the brisket and tri-tip, and the kids had the chicken fingers. All were good BBQ, and the sauce on the tables is great sauce. Homemade mac and cheese is great too. Definitely try this place.
(4)
Tiffany C.

The brisket was very dry. Maybe because I walked in when they were closing. The baby back ribs were just ok. I'm used to ribs where the meat falls off the bone...no where close. The food was not horrible...but nothing I will order again...
(2)
Derek A.

Thanks Yelp for directing us here. Great food and friendly service! What more can you ask for :-)
(5)
Caleb T.

This place ain't bad. It just has the unfortunate distinction of being tried after I've been to Phil's in San Marcos. I want to give Brett's a 4-Star review, but it would be a very weak one, let me explain why... First off, price and value. I ordered my typical fare, a beef rib plate that I split with my girlfriend. At Phil's it's about $12, you get three massive ribs and two sides. Here at Brett's, it's $14 for five small to medium sized ribs, also with two sides. At Phil's, each of us eat one rib and a side and have to save the third rib for the next day. At Brett's, we each eat a side and two and a half ribs a piece and then both wanted something from the fridge to snack on an hour or so later. So, Phil's is cheaper with more bang for your buck. Second, quality and taste. As I said before, Phil's has huge beef ribs where they basically saw off every other bone and let it's meat hang off the rib in the middle to make for a giant, juicy BBQ lollipop. Brett's gives you a shorter rib bone (where I assume the cut off any excess meat for something else on the menu) with a thinner cut (basically using every rib). This makes it difficult to pull of a large slab of meat that you can dip into your spare tubs of sauce. And speaking of sauce, Brett's ain't bad, but Phil's BBQ sauce beats them hands down. So, smaller ribs at Brett's that are dry (made so by their smoker which doesn't add much more in the realm of taste, unfortunately) and a sauce that doesn't live up to the standards of others. Third, the sides. Here it's a dead tie, especially with what I've eaten at both places. Read other reviews here and found some bad things written about the hush puppies and mac and cheese and I have to say that I must have had them on a good night. Because the puppies were warm and moist, a hint of heat under that sweetness that I really enjoyed. And their mac and cheese was very cheesy and flavorful, hot and both creamy and topped off with a bready crust that mixed well. Very good and worth going back to drop a few bucks just for some sides to go. So, all in all, an average place to eat at. Normally it would just be a good place to go in a pinch if you don't wanna drive further for BBQ, but the sides do push it up to a very strong 3-Stars from me.
(3)
Monique F.

Want BBQ, then go to Phil's NOT Brett's. Food is way overpriced, dry and bland. Tastes like it's been sitting in a warming tray all day. Brisket was tough. Chicken was dry. We got a sampler which included ribs, chicken, brisket and pork plus 2 sides. Not worth the money. Owner, made it even worse, BRETT was the least welcoming person in the place. Have a personality. Your name is on the sign, build your brand mr cranky. Will not return. They get two stars because the girl who took our order was super sweet. However, she knew nothing about the menu. #bbqfail
(2)
Mike L.

Came here after golfing at La Costa with my brother and dad. My dad and I both got the brisket sandwich and my brother got the pulled pork. We both liked the brisket sandwich but my brother didn't like his pulled pork. The sweet potato fries are good, ,my dad took one bite of the mac n cheese and couldn't eat the rest.
(3)
Roger B.

Looking from the outside I thought this place isn't going to be good. But my friend insisted, every day, that we try it. As much as I didn't want to, I said "okay." I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with potato salad, and he ordered BBQ brisket with baked beans and coleslaw. When it arrived, I decide to taste a small piece of meat first (you totally should do this!), and Oh My God was it good!!!! I recommend you take some of the BBQ off of the sandwich for later. (they give you plenty) When you're done, you'll want more. Take a bunch off and just eat it with a fork, it's soooo good! For a side, my friend let me taste his baked beans - get the baked beans. The potato salad is okay and coleslaw is not good. I took BBQ pulled pork home with me, and it's GREAT just eating it later, a little at a time. (try it. you won't be disappointed) Appetizer of the day! I'm definitely going back to Brett's BBQ, with or without my friend! (5/5 stars!)
(5)
Ted B.

The best BBQ restaurant in San Diego. If you're looking for real BBQ go to Bretts. This place kills That place in San Diego by the sports area, it's real BBq not covered in sauce and all that hype.
(5)
susan w.

The food is delicious ... The salmon is outstanding and all the meats are great ! The service is fantastic and they are also excellent on catering orders as well as take out . Love the restaurant !
(5)
Tom G.

Closest I have had to southern pit BBQ. This is the only place that I have come across that actually smokes the meat. Most of the other BBQ joints around San Diego oven their meats and finish them over wood fire. The flavor of smoked meat is 100 times better when it comes to bbq. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Mario A.

I think it is a solid 3 stars, and I don't mean it in a bad way. I do think it is just ok. I tried the Tri Tip and baby back ribs. The tri tip looked boiled and just no real flavor (this is 1 star). I welcome them to try Lucille's for the price they charge. Baby back ribs has to be sitting out for a while. They were ok, just not worth the price. Coleslaw smelled bad but the beans were great.
(3)
Heather P.

Loved the food. We stopped in right before closing and no problem ordering. Ordered a beef brisket with potato salad and pulled pork with French fries. Yum. Clean place. Nice friendly staff.
(5)
Robert F.

Ordered a whole smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. I picked up today, hot and fresh. Easily, the best turkey in my life. It tasted like it bathed in hickory for hours.
(5)
Lala A.

Very disappointed, I'm just warning you people if you are going here for baby back ribs and for beef ribs please DON'T. Baby back ribs so hard felt like it was not even cooked, no flavor, beef ribs disgusting no meat on it all fat, we didn't even finish it threw 80 dollars worth of ribs and baby back ribs in the trash. Their sweet potatoe is ok but it was cold when we brought it to our place to eat. Their bbq sauce disgusting. Such a shame to spend 80 dollars then throw it in the trash. The only thing we enjoyed was just the regular salad with chicken. So one star goes for the salad, can't believe we paid 80 dollar basically for a salad!!!
(1)
Dan K.

I really wanted this place to be great because I am sick of the Phils trend. I didn't really enjoy my visit here because I got the brisket and it was super dry and attempted to cover it up with a load of bbq sauce. The potato salad wasn't great and coleslaw was good. The restaurant is very clean with a bunch of TVs, so they have that going for them. I'll come back and try some pork before making a final judgement.
(3)
b l.

Prices are reasonable/comparable. Not particularly blown away by the food but it wasn't bad either. Staff was friendly and in general, i would come back if i have an itchin' for some restaurant bbq food but it wouldn't be on my list of top restaurants when visiting Cali
(3)
Hubert L.

Disappointing restaurant ordert take out brisket what did not look fresh but very dry and everything just crumbled up Pulled chicken disgusting, extreme dry No flavor and BBQ sauce contains a lot of vinegar. If you by a roasted chicken at Costco remove the skin shredd the meat wow great flavor. $ for value doesn't exist $14 for a lb of chicken ridiculous . Waist of money
(1)
Van L.

Mac n cheese and bread pudding!!! You really cannot go wrong with what you order here. Everything is so delicious.
(5)
Jennifer P.

I used Bretts to cater my husbands 40th birthday party on the 4th of July, which is their busiest day of the year. The food was amazing! It arrived fresh and hot, even though we live 30 minutes from the restaurant. Their guy that delivered and set-up the food was great. We had enough food to take to our after party on the beach the next day and it all still tasted delicious. All my guest raved about the food. I would definitely recommend Brett's for any party or corporate events. Thank you Brett for all your help!
(5)
Patrick C.

Wow this place is really bomb yo! Brisket sandwich was on point! The only Thing I didn't really like was how long their straws are compared to the cup size. The workers are almost too friendly and it makes me suspicious. My favorite part was the girl that was working the register was really cute and she had a nice butt.
(5)
A W.

This place has a nice southern feel. It's how a BBQ place is supposed to be. Good food, and good fun!!
(4)
Cathleen F.

If your a BBQ lover this is the place! Great sauces, and sides! My favorite is the mac & Cheese and Baked potato. Another favorite is the Tri Tip, So juicy! Enjoy
(4)
Rob H.

This is my favorite BBQ in San Diego, the pork ribs are very good, but the chicken is outstanding, true smoked, not covered in sauce. They give you sauce if you want to cover it, but the chicken doesn't need it. Sweet potato fries are great, they do family meals that I like to bring home for dinner with pork ribs and chicken. Wish they had one in La Jolla or downtown.
(5)
Karina G.

Just moved here and I have found now my second spot for great BBQ and take out dinners! This place has delicious BBQ sauce and the Brisket is very tender. Service is speedy and staff seem super friendly.
(4)
Wallace M.

Clean, almost sterile atmosphere. Nice staff. I ordered the half-slab of spareribs with BBQ beans and coleslaw. I found the meat to be just a step away from overcooked. It's been a long time since I've had a rib where the meat was dry. Not very saucy, and I couldn't understand the sauce on the table. Is it made with raisins? Because it tasted like a box of raisins with liquid smoke added. The coleslaw was a unique recipe, with pimento or pickles in it? Not fully a vinegar coleslaw, not quite a creamy coleslaw. The beans were good.
(2)
Stephen C.

The food was just OK. The cornbread muffin was probably the best part of the meal... I had pulled pork and tri-tip, the tri-tip came out cold, and overcooked... the pulled pork was greasy. Someone had mentioned that the sweet potato fries were good, but I guess that's a matter of opinion. Regardless, I don't think I'll be coming back... food is over priced, and just not all that great :-/ Service was fast and friendly though... and the place was clean and definitely family friendly, which is why they get the 3rd star...
(3)
q a.

They catered a party for us and I tried all three BBQ meats, the beans, slaw etc. They did a good job on everything. The meats still have occasional small pieces of fat but they are far between and the meat is less greasy than it used to be (by a long shot.) The beans are impressive and the slaw is good (a little too much mayo but we can fix that.) All of the catered food was well done and well received. If they would step up to other sauces (think Tennessee) and a leaner grade of meats I would be living over there. Maybe an extension to the menu or a behind the counter offering? There is more competition than there used to be and that means the fare gets better. Definitely try Bretts. PS The girl who made the fantastic red chile sauce at Viejo Mexico across the parking lot isn't there anymore so you are on your own...
(3)
Landon M.

I love BBQ especially baby back ribs. My go to spot is Phill's in San Marcos but I live on the coast so it's kinda a long drive. So I thought I'd try Brett's because is so much closer. The good: the service is great, the staff is very friendly and the restaurant is very clean. The bad: the food... I got the half rack of baby back ribs with coleslaw and beans. The ribs we just plain bad. Meat was impossible to get off the bone, lots of fat and the sauce is so so. The coleslaw was better but not great. The beans were very generic without much flavor. I will not be going back.
(2)
Lisa D.

Everything was awesome. Had brisket, smoked turkey and the barbecued chicken. Mac n cheese and hush puppies were delicious! My daughter wanted to give it 6 stars for the chicken breast! Waaaaayyy better than Phil's! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Leland B.

I LOVE this place! The food was delicious. I don't eat BBQ too often, but when I get the craving... I am at Bretts!
(5)
Paula T.

Store bought potato salad!! Canned BBQ beans?!? Shame, shame. Minus a star for each of those. I dislike paying for them in a restaurant. It's okay if I'm at a picnic, but not in a restaurant. Lunch for two and two fountain drinks $35.60. For the price we expected homemade sides. I should have asked instead of wishing. Positives: clean place, staff were friendly & attentive, that's always a plus and the corn pudding was delicious. If we go back, I'll be sure to ask more questions before ordering.
(3)
Innuska Z.

We loved Bretts BBQ on our first visit and went back a few days later. The BBQ is well seasoned, smoky, moist and delicious. We had baby back ribs, brisket, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, veggies and beans. Everything was good. Bruce, one of the co-owners, came by. When he learned that this was our first time, he also brought out their signature corn pudding for us to try (his partner's recipe, they sure know corn in Indiana). The place is large and open, next time we will bring friends!
(5)
Angelika H.

My family and I really enjoy ribs and BBQ food. We have been to this hole in the wall twice now and both times we were so pleased. The food is really good, the service is great. This is a good family spot. The interior is not fancy, you order your food, grad a table and eat...that is what it is about - the food. By the way their bread pudding is out of this world!
(4)
Tiffany W.

Service was fast. Food was good. Being from the south I'm use to some brilliant BBQ, this was no South Memphis BBQ, but it was good and tender and had a nice flavor. The out door patio was our preference for seating, but they also have a nice large indoor seating area as well. They have beer on tap and wine shots for sale as well, for those that are so incline. One thing I liked was the sink station, outside of the bathrooms, for those who just needed to wash there hands. (SO SMART!)
(3)
Marcee W.

Coming from a city where good restaurants reign, it's hard to find comparable fare in many smaller towns. A-okay Texas-style bar-b-que at this casual (order at the counter) restaurant. Beef brisket came as thick slices (looked like ribs), something I wasn't used to, but was tasty. My brother enjoyed their bar-b-que chicken and Dad tried a caesar salad with chicken, since he's not a fan of their bar-b-que sauce. Sides are nothing special. Wishing I would have tried the bread pudding...
(3)
Chris B.

Great BBQ with out the 2 hour lines! Highlights: Tri-Tip sandwich, baby back ribs, corn bread. The owner Bruce is very friendly and takes a lot of pride in his food. He loves his customers
(5)
Jimmy C.

Just not that good BBQ, keep going back bc it has a high rating and its just not that good. I don't get it. I crave bbq but never crave this place. It truly makes me sad weekly
(3)
Kelly A.

Love this place... Anytime I get to choose this is where we are going! The tri tip, burger, Mac n cheese and salmon are all fantastic and I dream about the hush puppies... If I even hear the word then it's pretty much a guarantee we are going there for dinner.
(5)
Dan F.

Driven by this place numerous times and have always wanted to try it. Finally got my chance! Big place , large building and inside long sweeping dining room with plenty of tables. Also in the rear there is a patio with 10 or so tables.As you walk thought the door you are faced with a long counter for order's and can see in the kitchen area.Large menu right over the counter with all your BBQ favorites . They also have some different items like Turkey Breast, Salmon, and salads?Well they're covered in meat. Went with the gold standard of any BBQ place the pulled pork sandwich$8 and comes with one side , I picked BBQ baked beans. They give you a number and they bring the food to you. I sat out on the porch to wait and well listen to two girlfriends talk about there relationships, "did you know", " no way ", "totally didn't know she was with him " , and the baby is not yours!!! The food couldn't come fast enough , and when it came ( yelp.com/biz_photos/UXBGâ€¦ ) this sandwich is massive. The pork was moist , falling out of the bun . It was like an ocean of pork and a bun life preserver! Jumped right in, juicy , smokey , tasty well done. Squirted some of there sauce on it , good sauce . Sauce is sweet with a little heat to back it up. OK the sides at most of these places are after thoughts, well I'm glad to say not here! The BBQ baked beans were delicious. Good sized bowl and to my delight, mixed in with the beans was BACON, sweeeeet. Big sized pieces too, the beans were very good. Well this place is a excellent BBQ place.Fulfilling all my BBQ requirements, I'm not up in Encinitas to often but when I am I will stop by here. I also just noticed there is one in 4S ranch area, looks smaller but a lot closer.
(4)
KatyBeth M.

Took the family here last weekend for the first time. Food came fast, everything was hot and cooked properly. The brisket is tender and the sauce pairs perfectly with it. Plenty of food, reasonable prices....they even have family meal deals, which is nice. The night we were there, the soda fountain was broken, which was a bummer...but they had big pitchers of ice water on every table and lots of bottled soda options, so that didn't detract, and they got it fixed just as we were walking out. The staff is friendly, the restaurant is very clean and they have a nice outdoor seating area, which is awesome to enjoy the gorgeous weather in Encinitas. I will definitely be returning. I can personally recommend the brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, veggies, salad, rolls, and coleslaw. It was a consistently good meal...bonus? they have a drive-thru window!
(5)
Faye W.

Bruce was so nice! We got food to go on Father's Day and there was a LONG line for dine in, which is always a good sign. Luckily we had called in our order and they let us set the time it would be ready. We got there a few minutes before our set pick up time and Bruce explained that they never make the food early because they don't want it to sit around. We were very happy to wait and Bruce joked around with us and chatted while our food was prepared. He smiled the whole time and never let on that they were overly busy. Working in the restaurant business I know how hard that can be. My dad says that the pulled pork is just as good as the places he has tried in Texas and Oklahoma. My mom (who is not a huge fan of BBQ) got the beef brisket and loved it. I got the tri tip dip and it was amazing. Basically: -great food -great customer service -really affordable
(5)
J K.

Service: Excellent. We came to Brett's as part of a BIG group this weekend. We arranged ahead of time, and the staff were very accommodating and reserved the patio for our party. We stretched out, stuffed ourselves, and had a fantastic time. I have to give credit to the staff -- they did not skip a beat! Even with the sudden surge, they whipped out the orders lightning fast, scurrying out platters of smoked meat and sandwiches, putting out pitchers of water, clearing plates. Food: Good. We ordered the Sampler, which comes with your choice of rib (pork vs. beef), and chicken (dark vs. white meat), and pulled pork, and brisket, AND two sides. Brisket was very tender (impressive), but the chicken a little dry -- to be fair, we did order white meat, and it was easily fixed with a slather of bbq sauce. Truth be told, my husband was most ecstatic that they offered mac n cheese as a side (Phil's does not), and it was pretty great. We shared the Sampler and both left very satisfied.
(4)
Jeff L.

I find it comical that the best thing I ate here was the steamed/sauteed vegetables and it is a BBQ joint! I came here today at about 2PM and there was nobody at all in the restaurant. Maybe it was a bad sign. I ordered the spare ribs combo with 2 sides. I chose the fries and the vegetables. The plate arrived and the vegetables were nice and fresh: squash and broccoli and they were either steamed or sauteed but they were very good. The fries were very tiny and thin and they were your standard variety frozen fries nothing special. On to the spare ribs. These ribs were dry, tough, cold and old!!!! Definitely leftover ribs and they were not meaty at all. Really a poor example of bbq. I would never serve these if i owned a restaurant. The server came over at the end of my meal and asked how I enjoyed it. I told her the truth and said that the ribs were very poor and not very good at all. I talked to the owner of the restaurant Mister Brett himself. I told him that the ribs were dry, tough, cold and old and that I used to compete in BBQ. He said that I should have told him earlier and he could have done something about it. I told him that he shouldn't have served me those ribs and then there wouldn't be a problem. Well he could have done something like give me my money back or give me a voucher for a free meal but he didn't do anything. Nothing...... Another BBQ joint that disappoints. Back to Coops or my backyard.............
(1)
Marshall S.

It was a rare cool, wet evening in San Diego and us native Midwesterners were hunting for BBQ. Found Brett's on Yelp (of course) and gave it a shot. Wow! Did not disappoint. My wife and I shared the sampler platter with mac & cheese and coleslaw. Ribs, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork were sooo tender, smokey, and delicious! The meat was lean and no fatty chunks like you get in other cheap joints. Now, I almost had to knock it one star because I like a minimum of 3 types of sauces at my table. There was only one, but it was awesome (we used nearly 1/4 of the bottle). Plus, there was a roll of paper towels at each table, cold beer on tap, TVs with football, and jazz music playing all which make a great BBQ. One side note, I will admit - we drove up and realized it was 'order at the counter' type and almost drove off. Glad we stayed.
(5)
Rox H.

I found this gem when I was searching for a dog friendly restaurant. Sometimes policies change, so I emailed Brett to ask if it was ok to bring my dog. He actually responded very quickly and said that due to a large party that was being held on the patio, I couldn't bring him today, but I could another time. About an hour later, Brett emailed me again to let me know that the party decided to move inside so I was welcome to bring my dog today. I thought it was cool that he followed up like that. Upon arrival, we saw another dog that was tied by the patio area. The other dog lunged at mine as if he was going to attack, and Bruce, the manager, saw this through the door. I went inside and asked an employee if I could bring my dog inside and go to the patio through the other door because I didn't want the other dog to attack. Although Bruce was on the phone, he heard what I was saying and waved at me to let me know it was ok. As soon as we were seated, the server came back out with a bowl of fresh water for my dog. We had just placed our order when Bruce came out to talk to us. It was actually a little chilly outside, and he asked us if we wanted the heat turned on, which we did. He chatted with us for a bit and even when our food came, he or another employee would come out and ask if everything was ok. He said he didn't want us to feel ignored just because we were the only ones outside. The food is pretty good, but I will always remember this place for their fantastic service. Although it is a bit of a drive from Camp Pendleton, it is absolutely worth it!
(5)
Andrew F.

I love stopping by here on my way home from the beach. Brett's has great food and excellent service. They have blues ish music that sets a very calming atmosphere. The restaurant is open and well decorated, giving it a very zen feel. Although they do not have lunch specials, I enjoy coming here during lunch for peace of mind. Brett's is worth the few extra dollars for the outstanding experience.
(5)
Paul F.

To be constructive and honest, friends of mine who have eaten here a lot in the past are complaining the BBQ is going downhill, dry and not delicious. I've never gone here for the BBQ myself (hamburgers and salmon are the best around). With the advent of Phil's not too far away, most of them go there instead. Just sayin...
(2)
Meg M.

I'm from Kansas City so I'm picky...some would say rather snobbish about my BBQ. I've not found a BBQ place in SD that really rivals Gates in KC but Bretts is the best yet. Yes, the sauce at Bretts is too sweet for my taste but the meat has fantastic smoke flavor. My only criticism is that the baby back ribs on the sampler platter were small and a bit dry and there was no bread or pickle served with the platter so no way to make a small sandwich with the pulled pork or brisket. The chicken was perfectly moist. It was my favorite on the platter and I normally wouldn't bother with chicken at a BBQ place. I mean, it's all about the meat, right? I also enjoyed the blues music playing in the background. Regardless of my criticism, I'll definitely be going back. The flavor is that good.
(4)
Jackie F.

Pro: plenty of parking, plenty of seats inside, wash your hands on the way in and out! so so corn bread. Con: horrible BBQ, two crappy sauce in two different bottles, burnt protein. Here is the deal, if a city is full of white organic hippies, don't expect the BBQ around town to be mind blowing. If you want good BBQ, head south to University Heights or up to Long Beach. Yes, look for black folks or rednecks if you are in for real BBQ. This place needs to be burn down to the ground for the crap they pass off as the real deal. Our party asked the cashier for their most popular protein, she couldn't even really narrow it down. I don't blame her, I wouldn't eat there if I work there. The cashier also failed to complete our order and one of our party had to reorder his food. Pulled pork - burnt, wtf is up with the sauce? I need to drown the meat to be able to shove the meat down my throat, but the smell of the sauce is also making me gag, sooo I have to put it in my mouth while holding my breath. Serious, this is like a bad comedy drama where the girl is whining about her first. Mac/Cheese - warm, look a bit off on the yellow scale. Won't kill you. Cole Slaw - completely yellow. dude, what is in this thing? Surprisingly, more edible than the pulled pork! Hush Puppies - someone trying to stab one with his fork, the overly deep fried puppy flew off, nuff said. Corn bread - small individual size, quite good. Ok, don't burn the place down, just skip this false BBQ and try something else, ANYTHING ELSE. PS. our party left the place and regret not eating at the Taco Bell across the street.
(1)
pete b.

In a recent visit was disappointed. The pit master salad has hardly any meat. Maybe 3 bite worth. And I ordered a beef rib and there was virtually no meat on it. Hope it was an anomaly and not a policy of meager portions.
(3)
Lisa S.

I recently attended a bridal shower that was catered by Bretts BBQ. I sampled the brisket, baked beans, cornbread muffins, mac & cheese (oh, so good), and bread pudding (wow!). The next time I have an event, I'm definitely going to look into their catering services.
(4)
Patrick L.

My wife and I will drive from Fullerton, CA to this place for their pulled pork sandwich, it's that good. the Potato Salad is by far the best I've ever tasted. My wife is VERY picky about her potato salad, and this is her favorite hands down.
(5)
Cliff M.

Brett's BBQ seems to do everything right everytime I stop in for a bite. Their employees are very friendly. They make you feel like at home. Their place is very clean, quite, and the service is fantastic. Their ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork is very tasty and mouth-watering good! Also, good selection of beer on tap. Bretts over Phil's BBQ any day.
(5)
Brian H.

As of now, this is my favorite BBQ spot. This place blows the pants off of Phi's BBQ. Brett's tri-tip and beef bones are personal favorites.
(5)
Christian M.

I'm going to give Brett's BBQ a 4 star. I went here with the advice from my cousin, whose a big food aficionado so I decided to make the 12 minute drive from my house to check it out. The place is like near the heart of Encinitas so it's not too hard to find. The place is pretty big as well. The entrance is in the rear, which is a bit odd. I walked to the front, only to find out that I had to walk to the back to enter. I asked the lady what's their specialty and she recommended the pulled pork, beef brisket, or beef ribs. I was in the sandwich sort of mood so I went with the pulled pork. The food arrived in about 5 minutes, which wasn't too bad at all. I got my food and began to take a few bites. The sandwich was decent. I have had better pulled pork sandwiches but this one did the job, which was to make my stomach full. The BBQ sauce isn't the greatest either but it's a start. I also ordered my sandwich with some sweet potato fries. They were pretty dang good. I'd probably say those are my favorite sweet potato fries that I have tried thus far. The service here is excellent. The worker was so helpful and nice. The manager was also kind enough to walk by to each customer to greet and ask if everything was fun. I would give the food about a 3.5 star and the service a 5 star. On average, I'd give it a solid 4 star. I hear that the beef ribs are the bomb there. I'll be sure to go back and get that next time. Then my rating may hit the 5 star status. Great place to eat at.
(4)
chompiras m.

I like brett's better then Phil's. It's a preference for less use of sauce as the flavoring as opposed to smoking. I think the restaurant itself used to be a Jack In the Box so it doesn't look welcoming from the outside. But the food is good, especially the meat items.
(4)
Desi V.

Yum!!!! So, So glad my coworkers told me about this place! I honestly prefer this place over Phil's BBQ, they give you bigger portions of meat here and not bigger portions of french fries and sides like Phil's. Great prices here too!! Soo coming back!!
(5)
Kathalyn N.

Yay!!! Yaaaaaayyyyyyyy! Good BBQ in North County! It's so delicious! My sister and I stopped by for Lunner (the meal between lunch and dinner) and the place was completely empty. It was 3:00 on a Monday, but the BBQ is so bomb here, it should be packed all the time! The dining room is big, and clean, and cool. The menu is everything you would expect from a BBQ place. We went with The Pit Master Salad with Chicken. A full salad was $10.95. It came with jicama, tomatoes, onions, smoked Gouda, corn, black beans, and choice of chicken, pulled pork, or beef brisket. I would order this salad again, but with the pulled pork...the chicken was dry. We also got the Sampler plate for $21.95. It came with a quarter chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Brisket, along with 2 sides. We got the Mac 'n Cheese and Fries. The ribs, pulled pork and brisket were all really good. The chicken was just okay. Mac 'n Cheese was alright--a little too mushy for my taste, but cheesy none the less. The french fries were bomb. I mean, so bomb. They were the best *regular* fries I have ever had in my life. Thin and crispy and hot and salty--man, they were good. They have sweet tea there, and it's one of my many food weaknesses. The service was awesome. Our food came out super quick. AND, there is a row of sinks on the wall in front of the door! They just thought of everything. I will definitely be back for more BBQ!
(4)
Terry W.

Wow this place serves the meatiest sandwiches youll ever find. First time I ordered the tri tip dip, and it came on a hoagie with several thick slices of tri tip and had the cole slaw for the side. The meat is very tender and juicy and will satisfy your cravings for beef. Second time I came I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich, and holy they stuff that sandwich with so much turkey litterally every bite has your mouth full of turkey and with cranberry on the side is perfect compliment to the turkey. I saw someone order the beef ribs and they were huge and looked very good, if I ever come back for a third time ill definitely order that. One thing I liked about the place was they had sinks near the door where you can wash your bbq sauced up fingers with ease and they keep a huge roll of towels on each table so you never need to ask for more napkins!
(5)
Jessica G.

Soooo Yummy!! We come here for lunch since its really close to work and The food is always great! Privately owned and you can tell! The people working here are so nice and sweet, they definitely appreciate your business :) I definitely prefer it over Phils. They actually smoke their meat here and you can taste it. Every time my boyfriend and I have come here, everyone is so nice. The lady behind the counter is so sweet! We LOVE this place!! probably one of our favorite BBQ places in town!
(5)
Sam M.

OhMyDelicious. I'm a big fan of BBQ Ribs and I'll take it where I find it. But this place is amazing. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, the service is exceptional and the food is BOMB. There's plenty of room for a group and they even have a trough-like sink near outside of the bathroom for pit stops to clean up... so no reason not to devour this delicious BBQ.
(5)
Dino L.

I love Brett's BBQ. Everything here is great from the service, seating, and food. Smooth jazz playing in the background and big LCD tv's playing NBA, NFL, and other sports played muted so you can enjoy your company. Be sure to try the bread pudding!
(5)
Leo I.

Not a bad spot. I was really appreciative when having a conversation with the proprietor (Brett, the man himself!) he decided to teach me a little something about BBQ. You see, I'm an SD native. Born and raised. Proud of that. All you imports come here with your Red Sox caps or Bears Jerseys and make a fine mess of everything. You cause traffic on my freeways, make it hard to find parking at the beach, and make me feel like I'm watching my beloved Chargers at an away game. Sad face. Being a San Diego native is great because we know two certain things in life: 1) The ocean is that way 2) Mexican food here is better than anywhere, even Mexico What we don't know anything about, is BBQ. (I bet you were wondering where I was going). Brett kindly took me to the back and showed me his awesome smoker, and told me a bit about the love and care that goes in to cooking his wonderful BBQ. I must say the experience was great and I come by every now and then to have some BBQ; although I haven't seen Brett any of the other times... If you're in the area, stop by! And don't forget to hit up Dairy Queen across the way and then have a nap at the beach when you're done!
(4)
Alejandra Z.

I love BBQ but will not go back to Bretts for BBQ. I was seriously disappointed with the quality of food they served and nothing had a real good BBQ flavor that you would expect. I saw the reviews so I decided to go check it out myself. I got the sampler platter with everything. The only good thing on there was the shredded pork and I had gotten the mac and cheese. The shredded pork was good but had to drench it with bbq sauce which I have had way better bbq sauce. The meat (beef brisket, spare ribs) were super dry and tough. The chicken was alright which I don't think it was cooked right so we didn't finish it. I just expected more especially since it has good reviews but I was disappointed.
(2)
Chris R.

Decent flavor but everything was dry. I got the sampler. I felt the Chicken, brisket & pork was held from lunch service. Which is fine if know how to properly hold smoked meat that long. Or I ate all reheats. Spareribs were decent. I smelt smoke , but didn't taste smoke ring quality bbq.
(2)
Evan A.

Gotta love old fashioned American BBQ. The steamed vegetables are a good choice if you want to feel healthy...I'm pretty sure they're soaked in butter but who cares?!
(3)
matt c.

I've driven by this place for years and finally tried it out for the first time. It was quite subpar and waaaay over priced. I got the tri tip plate, which set me back $17. The meat was kind of gray, over cooked, not very juicy. Mac & cheese was kind of crusty. Looks like the food was sitting out under a heat lamp. Do yourself a favor, and next time you want real bbq go down to seaside market during the day when they cook out in the parking lot. It blows this place out of the water and you get just about the same amount of food for half the price. Hopefully Bretts will turn back into a Pat and Oscars, they had some great ribs.
(2)
Jay D.

I was in need for some serious comfort food. Since I was of no patience at that moment, I went to the old college standby "ramen." But, I needed to get out. Then I realized, it's Memorial Day weekend. Bust out the WEBER! I have a gas grill of another brand named Weber. Think again. I called up Brett's BBQ that just opened up in town. I was excited. I felt younger and more sprightly than evAARRR - kinda like walking on a Bowflex TreadClimber. This is Brett's second location with the first in 4S Ranch. They claim, "If it's not smoked,it's not BBQ." Yes. Later, my cell phone rang from Brett's. WTF? Me: Hello. Hi Brett. *snicker* Brett's: HAH! Yeah, this is. Just wanted to know if you were still coming to pick up your order; if we were on the same page. Me: Yes, I'm in your parking lot now. I had run errands and was a bit slow. Good on them for calling me. Customer service indeed. Brett's is clean and modern inside. There's a long common sink near the entry so you can was your hands! I picked up my sampler (baby back ribs, quarter chicken - dark meat), beef brisket, and pulled pork. I also ordered a pound of Texas rope sausage including sides of cole slaw and sweet potato fries, and extra bbq sauce. While the world was out and about, I nursed my pink eyes and chewed that food like a screen door slammin' in a hurricane. This was dayum good. Everything was tender. I was a sucker for that sausage (*Wait for it*) and those sweet potato fries. I forgot Phil's. Brett is my new friend and this review sounds like a gay soap opera because I included the words sausage, tender, sucker, Brett, Phil and slammin'.
(4)
Bony K.

I've had Phil's BBQ and BBQ in Texas as well, and this place satisfies one's meat cravings. if you're coming alone the sandwich is plenty, otherwise share a full size of ribs with the wife or hubby. They offer beer on draft and sports game to watch on their tv's. Located right across from Garcia's.
(5)
Anne S.

Excellent. Loved the sweet potato fries, the beef ribs and the chicken.
(4)
Shane D.

Finally! I have been looking for a good BBQ place ever since I moved to southern CA ten years ago, and have been disappointed in nearly every one I have been to. I travel to Texas a lot for work, so that is by basis for comparison. I had heard Brett's was good, but that's what people told me about a bunch of other BBQ places too. But I dove in head first and got the sampler platter of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and sausage, with a side of BBQ beans and hush puppies. Absolutely fantastic. The meat is smoky and moist. Most other places I've been the meat is either dry, or if they do manage to make it moist it's too fatty. This stuff was lean and moist. Perfect. The sauce is top notch too. Dark and smoky, with a little spice but not so much it kills you. Perhaps almost as good, they serve some of my favorite beer from Oregon here. Great BBQ and micro brew... does it get any better?
(5)
Michi I.

We had Brett's BBQ cater our wedding this past July (approx 130 people). It was one of the best decisions that we could've made! Bruce was such a pleasant person to work with. He was well organized and extremely helpful, and went well beyond the call of duty. Out of all the chaos that comes with wedding planning, Bruce made this part one of the easiest and least stressful parts. This definitely wasn't his "first rodeo". And the prices that Brett's BBQ offered were very reasonable. And they were very accommodating to our wishes and needs. I think the hardest part of the whole "catering process" was trying to narrow down our wedding menu (especially since everything was so "mouth-watering" good)! And I can't express how amazing the staff was and how ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS the food was!!! We are still getting compliments on how good the food was from our friends and family. Everyone LOVED it!! Even the vegetarians!! Because of our awesome food selection, our vegetarian guests were able to stuff themselves with our side options. They loved the food selection too, much better than your typical "chicken, fish or steak" meals offered at most weddings. We are so grateful to Brett's BBQ, all of the staff, and especially Bruce for helping make our wedding amazing. And we recommend them to everyone!! Whether it's just a family dinner, or a huge catered event, you should definitely give them a call!
(5)
Mark S.

I got the full sample plate, which is a lot of food. I have a big appetite and was able to finish it. Bret stopped by the table and I told him I was still hungry so we were going to go out and get ice cream. He told me that their Whiskey infused desert was better then any Ice cream I could get. I am glad I stayed. It was delicious. He also gave it to me on the house. Very good customer service.
(5)
Janet S.

on 9/20/14---late pm, we drove over to Brett's BBQ in Encinitas, from Fallbrook, CA because we were craving BBQ---was told by one of the owners the Beef Brisket was fork tender.....ordered that with baked potato, sweet potato fries and corn pudding.....the Beef Brisket was tough, chunky and not very good....we returned that, requested then for a bit of pulled pork with a few slices of tri tip....the tri tip was also tough, although still pink, but too chewy---the pulled pork was okay....and the BBQ sauce was not exciting......Bob decided then, disregarding the pulled pork and tri tip, and decided on one last try and ordered the 1/4 BBQ chicken (dark meat--hoping for it to be tender).....well, nope, not tender, very dry....we gave up at that point because we were sooooo disappointed and a bit upset with that owner.....did he not check the quality of the food???? This is our 2nd attempt at this BBQ joint....and sorry to say, it is our last......Bob talked with the owner, and asked if he heard of "Bryant's" back East....great BBQ....maybe it was an off night for Bretts BBQ in Encinitas....but their off night was our no night anymore for this place.....
(1)
Molly S.

I can't speak for everyone, but I tried this place for the first time Saturday night. The parking lot is a little dim. Other than that..no complaints. I had the Blackened Salmon, and my boyfriend had Beef brisket. Both of us enjoyed our food. The price is reasonable and the owner, Brett, came by our table just to make sure everything was good and we were happy. You can tell this guy genuinely cares about his customers. We will be going back.
(5)
Dave W.

I can't speak to all of the 'Q on the menu as this is traditionally a lunch time stop for me, but I can speak with authority when I say that Brett's makes some damn fine BBQ sandwiches. I've had the chance to try the brisket, pork and chicken and all three make for a satisfying choice: meat piled high on a hamburger bun and doused with Brett's signature sauce. If I had my druthers, I suppose I would choose the brisket, but the pork and chicken make good alternatives if you're looking for something a little bit lighter. As far as sides, the sweet potato fries are among the best I've had anywhere and complement the sandwiches nicely. One thing I definitely have to give Brett credit for is that this is authentic smoked BBQ not the grilled variety served at other San Diego "BBQ" establishments. On my first visit Brett himself gave me a tour of the kitchen and showed me the smoker in the back. While he would never directly slam the competition, the message was delivered loud and clear.
(4)
Cole C.

I want to like Brett's because the owner seems so nice and down to earth. And it's BBQ, less than three miles from my house. What more could you ask for? But holy cow, they just completely missed the mark. Some of the rave reviews below confuse me and I'm left wondering if any of the 4-5 star voters have had much experience eating BBQ. Not that I'm a BBQ expert... I'm from Southern California, not Kansas City. But really, you don't have to leave California to get good BBQ, even if you don't have a grandma who can pull pork or a husband on BBQ Pitmasters. There are plenty of chain restaurants who can curb your craving for good BBQ just fine. Example: Lucille's. Great BBQ chain. Find a location near you: lucillesbbq.com/locations But enough about other places. This review is about Brett's. We ordered the sampler platter, which is definitely the way to go if you want to try an assortment of meats. At $21.95, I thought the price was right for the amount of food received. The sampler included spare ribs, quarter chicken, beef brisket, and pulled pork. We chose the mac & cheese and baked beans as sides. The spare ribs were pretty much the furthest thing from fall-off-the-bone. They were either not cooked long enough, or that was one seriously tough pig. It was like chewing rubber. The pulled pork had a nice texture, but lacked flavor, and the beef brisket was drier than tree bark. What Brett did do well was that BBQ chicken. Chicken is pretty consistently my last pick on any menu, but I'm pretty sure that was some of the best BBQ chicken I've ever had. If I ever come back to Brett's (unlikely) I'll definitely go with the bird. Baked beans were good, mac & cheese was unremarkable. It's hard to bash the place when you go there and see Brett working his ass off and looking like he's genuinely excited to be there cookin' up BBQ for his customers. But it was just so not-good. And there are so many better alternatives. I'm sorry Brett, but it was just bad.
(2)
Ray G.

Poor quality meat, good sauce and service. I went to Brett's for Labor Day BBQ 2012. I ordered the Spare Ribs and what I received was some strange pieces of meat that barely resembled spare ribs. I think the cuts they gave me are what should be trimmed before smoking. I was very disappointed. I know San Diego lacks a good BBQ restaurant and Brett's BBQ is no exception. Sorry but I will not be going back. And just in case someone from Brett's reads this and gives a hoot, take a drive up to LA and try Phillips BBQ on Crenshaw. You will see the difference between excellence and mediocre. BTW, this review is for the 4s ranch location.
(1)
Christina P.

This place was AMAZING, on absolutely every level. We walked in and saw the manager walking around, talking to all the customers and everyone looked like they were enjoying their food and more importantly, enjoying themselves. I really like when managers take the time to talk with people and actually have a conversation--I work in hospitality so it's very important for me to see that they're trying to create a welcoming atmosphere. Our food was outstanding--we bought the cheeseburger, and the baked potato with brisket on top, so pretty basic stuff, and we were pretty WOW'ed, great flavoring, cooked to perfection. We were shocked that the food was not more expensive!!! We haven't been to Phil's and we were deciding if we should drive all the way to San Marcos or just stay close to home and we're glad we made the choice to eat at Brett's. But if you're trying to decide which one is better, I can't answer that for you yet. But truly, what made the experience so great was the SERVICE! All the guys working there were so helpful (I'm very indecisive), and so nice and charismatic--we'll definitely be back, next time with more friends. If you're looking for great food, great service, without creating a hole in your wallet, check out Brett's!
(5)
Michael R.

We had a pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwich, and both were very good. The sauce had a nice kick to it and the owner is very friendly. Don't see how anyone would give this place less than three stars.
(4)
Ricardo F.

I had the Spare Ribs last night. Oooof.. Where do I begin? Quantity: If you're one of those people who appreciate a hefty plate, and enjoy chowing down on something that looks too big for your stomach, you will not be disappointed! Quality: The BBQ sauce they use is very tasty, and the meat is well smoked. I have had the Pulled Chicken BBQ, Pulled Pork BBQ, Babyback Ribs and Spare Ribs. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them, and will keep trying different menu items each time I go there. I have a suspicion that all of their items will be great. Oh, and you will be messy, but don't worry, they have paper towels right on the table and stainless steal sinks next to the front door. It's a cool place. The owner, Brett, and co-owner, Bruce, are always working there (at least every time I've been there one of them is there). They're both good guys, happy to see you there, and fun to talk to.
(4)
LOVEPEACE R.

Very friendly service, complete menu explanation, and good food! I'm not a fan of the dark BBQ sauce (at all) but I am P-I-C-K-Y about sauces of any sort. The meat was tender with a perfect smoke ring on the brisket. Pork was falling apart in my mouth and flavorful. The chicken was anything but average. The baby back ribs... mmmm. Nice little BBQ joint.
(4)
Mike Y.

Before I started my diet I was eating here all the time... And I am sure it contributed to my figure... This is one of the best places for bbq in San Diego...hell in Southern California period. A lot of people compare it to Phils but its a different kind of bbq, Phils is more of a grill which is good but Bretts is "smoker bbq" where other places spend a lot of effort and time in making their sauce taste good, Bretts - focuses on developing their flavors from the smoker not the sauce. Their sauce; its good its more of a sweeter hickory/ molasses sauce but its good to kick it up a notch by throwing some Franks Red Hot that is on every table. Now to the review - Restaurant - Clean very clean, very attentive and nice wait staff... sadly they knew my order... again why I had to stop going so often... you know your fat when you go somewhere and they know your name... the place is clean, they have a ton of televisions and they play blues over the speakers. Drinks - Nice selection of bottled beers and a few on tap - good ones not just pilsners but they have a few ales on tap and they have a huge selection of old fashion root beers and sodas and of course grown up beer. Food- I am probably going to piss off bbq people here but if you have not tried their burger it is the best cheeseburger I think I have ever had. The meat is juicy, thick and charred perfectly. I order it Medium Rare and they actually know what that means... a good char on the outside and rare on the inside but warm.... it comes with the basics lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard ketchup pickle on the side and sweet onions and its huge. I have had all their sandwiches the pulled pork is a stand out a long with the Texas Rope sausage sandwich which is just excellent. Their ribs are not my kind of ribs but I do enjoy them, Ive ordered them twice and they have been dry but very flavorful. Their sides are excellent - fries come in a huge portion of thin julian fries, they have good beans, potato salad, etc- The only con is the size of their cornbread ... too small for the price but good nonetheless... Overall a great place and its never busy at lunch, usually crowded at dinner.
(5)
Craig W.

I wanted to dislike Brett's. I wanted the floors to be dirty, the walls to be creaking wood, the bathrooms to be raunchy and covered in what used to be beer, and the inside hot and sweaty, like my womens. Sadly, and yes I mean sadly, Brett's is none of those things. The interior is kind of mettalic and modern and sterlie. It's spotless and feels new-car new. The counter is extremely long and looks like it was transported from a Mickey D's. The counter workers are straight from your local high school, fresh faced, clueless about barbecue, and likely zombies for American Idol. You call this a barbecue joint? Ok, I dig the constant blues music but the floor is so clean, you could eat off of it. What kind of BBQ could come out of this kitchen? Damn good BBQ, that's what. One thing: it's seriously overpriced. Way overpriced. So, there's that. But the babyback ribs--Lord, the meat falls off the bone and yes, you will lick your fingers again and again. The pulled pork is damn, damn, damn good, too. The baked beans have large pieces of bacon floating in it and the corn pudding, well, it's a must. It's fresh and not too sweet. Finally, the BBQ sauce, which simply has to be good to seal the deal, is a little vinegary and a little sweet and it's perfect. Unless a hurricane blows through the joint, or rioters spontaneously attack, Brett's will never feel look or feel like a BBQ joint. Just bite your tongue, ignore the surroundings, and get your food to go. Youl'll look better with BBQ sauce all over your face and hands at home anyway.
(5)
Phillip W.

The way I see it, in SD you're either a Phil's BBQ fan ... or you appreciate real BBQ. For the food, that is -- not for the trumped up "ambiance." Or low-rent Disney-esque pseudo-entertainment. Brett's has real smoked meat, they give you lots of it, and the sides are good. Throw in a blues-tinged decor and soundtrack, plenty of free parking, and a nice trip to clean and safe Encinitas ... what more could you want? *** UPDATE: Well, there's one thing I'd like to NOT have. That's a credit card receipt with a "tip" line ... when you're standing at an order counter. Would you tip a McDonalds or Burger King employee when ordering at their counter? But when faced with this 'invitation' to tip when signing their credit card slip, I imagine more than a few people feel intimidated enough to add something. This is actually related to another of my pet peeves: The tipping dilemma when you're obviously being waited on by a restaurant's owner. I think the classy and responsible move would be for the server/owner to say, "Please don't tip me. I own the place." Or, "I'm the owner here. But if you'd like to leave a tip anyhow, I'll pass it all to the employees." But while I've been in this situation many times, I've never heard anyone say anything like that, ever. Pretty disappointing.
(4)
Ben P.

"If its not smoked it aint BBQ". If your expecting health food, hell no, its BBQ. Get the BBQ pork sandwich, I am from Missouri and it is deffinitly BBQ. Not too heavy on the smoke flavor and not too dry either. The place is nice and quiet during the afternoons. A great place to grab a lunch and unwind.
(5)
Yasi A.

Was super excited about this place after reading yelp reviews but I gotta say I was not impressed. I had the beef ribs and they were burned. The only thing I enjoyed was the baked beans although there was a little too much bacon for my taste. Probably wont be heading back here
(2)
Christina D.

***Bad experience: false advertising, food was bloody & undercooked, & bad value. What happened: I brought a friend who was visiting from Boston, MA. She was looking forward to good barbecued chicken like she's used to having in Boston, MA & in Barbados, but this was nothing near what she was expecting. Quarter of White Chicken was being advertised for $7.99. Half of White Chicken was being advertised for $9.99. --- I saw a special being advertised: $7.99 for Half of a Dark Meat Chicken. My friend got the special chicken deal and was surprised to only find two dark chicken legs. ***False advertising! To make matters worse, the chicken was all bloody inside! They didn't even cook it long enough. She also ordered a corn muffin for $.90 and received a mini corn muffin - so tiny it should have been free.
(2)
Kina D.

Pulled pork
(5)
Todd P.

Good Baby Back Ribs Good French Fries and a lot of them. Good Baked Beans Good Ketsup Good Beer (Hefeweizen) Good Prices Good TVs on the walls Good clean happy people Good Paper Towels on the tables Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Review Good Night I like the sinks on the way out for washing your hands and face. Go there on a first date and smear BBQ sauce all over your face but don't wipe it off. I mean paint BBQ sauce on your face like you're in an old cowboy and Indian movie and just leave it there. Get naked and roll around in the sauce on a Slip & Slide then eat your arms and legs off. Make an impression on your first date that she'll never forget. Squirt BBQ sauce all over her face and clothes for fun. Point and laugh at the expression on her face. Girls love that kind of childishness. I'll be going back for more good stuff. Brett's BBQ is really good. Get sauced.
(4)
Edward B.

Real BBQ in Encinitas. Very friendly staff
(5)
Virginia T.

I cannot say enough good things about this place! They recently catered our 150 person wedding and we got nothing but compliments on the food and the service. Bruce (the co-owner) was awesome to work with. Asked all the right questions, was onsite for the whole event and made sure everything was perfect. Their food is amazing, I can't tell you how many people made a point of saying it's better that Phil's. We've also visited the restaurant twice and had great food and service both times.
(5)
jan s.

A bbq joint should be all about the meat. Sadly, for me, Brett's was not. Had a white chicken quarter that was dry dry dry and tasteless. The sides, however were tremendous,,,,, vegetables steamed perfectly and delicious coleslaw. but truly the chicken sucked.
(3)
Sally S.

I keep meaning to write a Yelp for Brett's, but i'm finally getting around to it now. Eating (or trying ot eat) at a different BBQ place last night made me realize how much we appreciate Brett's and how awesome Brett's BBQ is! We live about 20 minutes away from Brett's, but still try to go there about once every 1-2 months. We have never been disappointed. I love the BBQ chicken and salmon, my husband loves the pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. My kids love the Mac n Cheese. The sides have always been great, especially the sweet potato fries and cornbread. Their steamed veggies are also good. After ordering, the food arrives pretty quickly -- I've rarely had to wait very long at all. In addition to wonderful food, their service is superb and everything is very clean. The counter staff and those who bring the food do a fantastic job. And Brett or the other owner seem to always be there, making sure everything is running smoothly. They will often go around to the tables to be sure people are happy with everything. That makes a HUGE difference -- knowing they care about the experience their customers are having and wanting it to be optimal. I suppose I took that for granted until the mediocre experience last night at a different restaurant. We had a birthday party for my husband at Brett's last year, and they were really helpful in assisting me in ordering food for a large party. Everyone loved the food and it was a great time. So THANKS Brett's BBQ for fabulous food and top-notch service!
(5)
Michael H.

BBQ is like pizza. It is a very personal thing. What one person loves, another will loath. With that in mind, I highly recommend Brett's in Encinitas. Today we did a back to back taste test between Brett's baby back ribs and Phil's BBQ baby backs with sides of cole slaw and baked beans. Between the two, Brett's has a BBQ that is much more to my liking. First of all the ribs and sides are somewhat larger than at Phil's and the price reflects this. So value wise it's a wash. Both give you decent value for your money. The BBQ style is where it all comes down to personal taste. Phil's sauce is much sweeter and a bit spicier on the finish then Brett's. If it is a really sweet BBQ sauce you are looking for (and in my opinion Phil's is really sweet), then Phil's is the place for you. If you are looking for a less sweet but very smokey style of sauce, Brett's is where you need to go. Brett's really carmelizes the sauce onto the ribs unlike many other BBQ places that slather the sauce on after the fact giving a very wet style of BBQ. As I mentioned above, the portion and rib sizes are generous. The baked beans include pieces of bacon, which is not something you find in many other BBQ places including Phil's. The cole slaw was average. In fact, I couldn't tell the difference between Brett's slaw and Phil's. ( I also enjoy Brett's sweet potato fries.) The restaurant itself is large, spacious, and decorated with photos of the Giants of Blues. Plus several TVs to watch whatever sports happens to be on. A nice touch is a three faucet sink near the front door to wash your hands before you leave. Again. BBQ is personal. And for me, Brett's is the real deal.
(5)
P H.

I had them cater a party for me tonight, and the BBQ was a HUGE success. Everyone was asking where it came from. I worked directly with Bruce and he went above and beyond in helping me figure out the menu. Very impressed with Brett's...
(5)
Zildheam D.

The only BBQ place in San Diego i have tried. I love it, a bit expensive but the sauce here is unique, the portions are large and the service is great. Try the bread pudding, you will thank me.
(4)
Jeff B.

Best bbq in San Diego. Really good pulled pork sandwich. Never crowded, which I don't understand. If you like barbeque, check out Bret's
(5)
Melanie K.

The best best best bbq brisket I've ever had! That's saying a lot, I love me some bbq... The rub was so good, the meat was flaky and moist and not at all fatty (I'm all about texture). Seriously, I've been thinking about that meat all night. My niece's burger was juicy and tasty. The beef ribs were great. I'd take off half a point for the dryness of the baked potato, but all the meat was 5-Star worthy. Okay, I want more brisket. The restaurant is large and clean and the staff was helpful. If I lived in SoCal, I'd be here all the time! Finally, the sweet tea was perfect, not too sweet at all.
(5)
Eva Yvonne T.

Had been passing this place for a month, since I moved here from Houston,TX. This girl loves BBQ, so of course, I had to try this one. Was craving the smells of smoked meats and sweet potato fries, sweet bacon flavored beans, and all that. Owner of the resturant was at the counter to wait on us, very pleasant guy, we had inquired of the beers on tap, and he obliged us with some free samples. We ordered the ring master salad, and pulled pork sandwich with baked beans and sweet potato fries. 2 beers as well. Total came to 36.00. We werent disappointed with the taste or the portion! Wow! Nice, moist, smokey bbq pork, and brisket, huge bun for the sandwich. 1/2 pd of sweet potato fries, so fabulous!, yummy baked beans, just evil. Salad was a huge man size portion of pulled pork and bbq brisket, corn, black beans, smoked gouda cheese ...so amazing...ranch dressing of course. We will definitely be back, super satisfying, and filling. Very clean resturant, I mean spotless! Nice huge windows, plenty of seating and parking. Really nice. Need to try this place if you like southern style bbq.
(4)
Scott H.

Tri tip sandwich is as good as it gets. The mac and cheese is as good as it gets. I've been there a number of times, quality is consistent. Food comes out quick, friendly staff. It's hard to beat Brett's.
(5)
Steven L.

I was very excited when my wife found this place so we went for lunch! Not as excited after. Brett's Looked good, smelled good and is clean.Their BBQ sauce is Very Good and it is in squeeze bottles on the table! My wife really loved the fries, thin and very crispy! The lady that helped us at the counter and served us was a sweet heart. The ribs and brisket were ok, a little dry. No definitive smoke ring or bark on the meat. However the meat off the bone had a little holding, which is good. To me when BBQ is fall off the bone it is usually over cooked. The Cole slaw and potato salad were nothing to write home about. All in all not a bad place to eat but not as good as expected.
(3)
Scott H.

I hope this place survives. As others have mentioned, this place is a death location in Encintias. There was Oscar's here, some other BBQ place I think--now it's Brett's. I think for take-out, Brett's is a great value. You can get a huge tin of BBQ pork or chicken that will serve 3-4 and bring it home for less than $15. If you have some hamburger buns at home or decide to overpay for them at the restaurant, this sounds pretty reasonable to me. Some sweet-potato fries or whatever and you have a meal. Though not a BBQ expert by any stretch of the imagination, I really like the food here, especially the Pork. The chicken is a little drier (but I assume healthier) and I do like their sauce. Their bread pudding is really good for dessert here also. I hope enough people go to keep these guys in business..
(4)
Gwen D.

All I can say is... That sauce is awesome! I loved every bit of my meal. The staff was friendly and courteous. And thank you for such good tea. It's was really good.
(5)
Sue G.

WOW. This is the best barbecue I've tried yet in SoCal! Having spent some formative 'cue-eating years in Texas, I'm more about the smokiness and less about the sweet stuff -- so far, all the places I've tried out here have been heavy on the sweet, light on the smoke, but Brett's really gets it right. We tried a pulled pork and a brisket sandwich (each $7.95 and easily enough for two meals), paired with fries, steamed vegetables and beans. The meats were abundant and delicious, and while both the other sides were tasty, I have to take my hat off to the fries -- they were thin, crispy and absolutely mindblowing, and I'm a pretty picky fry-eater. The indoor eating area is enormous, wide open and has an understated decor; the music is good, there's a big hand-washing sink (paper towels on the table can only go so far) and our food came up quickly. The counter guy even suggested a way to order differently to bring the price down a bit -- much appreciated. I will definitely be back to explore more of the menu ... next stop ribs!
(5)
Jason C.

LOVE Brett's. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because it is technically possible for me to conceive of better BBQ, but this comes pretty close to ideal for me. I'm very surprised at some of the comments about dryness or toughness. I've been to Brett's many, many times (I live just a few blocks away) and I have never had anything but tender ribs, moist chicken, juicy pulled pork, and delicious brisket. The brisket is clearly smoked for many hours; there is a nice smoke ring, and it is very lean and falls apart on the fork. If I'm not careful, I could eat a couple pounds of brisket before I even realize what happened. The pulled pork sandwiches are fantastic. I tried a pulled chicken sandwich as well, and amazingly they accomplished the feat of giving the chicken a deep, smokey flavor without drying out the breast meat. The sides have also been great, the corn pudding being one of my favorites. This building has seen at least 3 restaurants in the past 15 years or so -- the last occupant being a complete disaster of a BBQ joint. But I seriously hope Brett's sticks around for a good long time, because I really, really like having a good BBQ joint nearby, and Encinitas certainly needs one.
(4)
Benjamin E.

Had the pleasure of eating at Brett's over the 4th of July. While I am not a huge fan of BBQ, there are definitely certain times that I am absolutely in the mood for it! We had the Beef Brisket combo and some baby back ribs. I found the ribs to be fantastic and the brisket good, but not amazing. I found their mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and cornbread muffins to be delicious! My girlfriend was not a fan of the coleslaw (they put bell peppers in it) but was a big fan of the potato salad. The staff was very friendly and polite. While it did take a little longer than I would have hoped to be prepared, I didn't think it was overly excessive and the staff kept me updated on progress until it was ready. I did take out, but I did have a little time in the store waiting for my food and had a chance to look around. I liked the decor, the ease of refilling your soda and the big sinks by the front door to wash all the sauce off your hands! I will definitely be back to try some more. I absolutely want to try their rope smoked sausage and their bread pudding!
(4)
Juliana M.

Trying something new...Yelping as I take in the experience. So far so good. The lady behind the counter was very helpful as I explained that it was my first time here. Thumbs up on the beer selection. Enjoying a Black Butte as I type away, hope no one from work sees this;) .......food came out, burned my tongue on the baked beans! Let's check out the chicken they claim "you haven't had chicken till you've had our moistest chicken" ........not so moist, in fact pretty dry.....at least the zydeco music is bumpin...... Beans still too hot and I WANT them now.....the potato salad is just right. Their BBQ sauce is pretty weak so I'm mixing it with some Franks Red Hot....ummm, much better. Gonna enjoy my concoction and get back to the review when I'm done! Over all, not impressed. The chicken was really dry and the rub was nothing to write home about. The sides were tasty but didn't salvage the fact that the main entree was not so good. If you don't have high standards for BBQ as I do, then i would recommend this place. I may give them a second chance and try some ribs but the way I look at it is if you cant do something as simple as chicken right everything else must be mediocre too.
(3)
Joseph M.

pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries Both were delicious...oh and the sweet tea
(4)
Shaun S.

Stopped by for some BBQ chicken, french fries, and corn bread. I am happy to say they server Coke here as I've been going to a lot of places recently that only serve Pepsi. The french fries are pretty standard shoestrings. After adding salt and pepper I could have used some cajun seasoning. The chicken was pretty good, I dumped on some of the bbq sauce and squeezed some lemon. Lastly was the cornbread which I really enjoyed with butter of course. I left pretty full and enjoyed my meal.
(4)
David C.

Pretty deep menu considering the overhead with BBQ. Meats give you that smoky flavor you crave. Thick mac n cheese that comforts. Had their new turkey sandwich for lunch and it was great. Thick (.5 inch) slices of smoked turkey. Skilled pitmaster because the turkey was really juicy and smok[e]y. Add bun and lettuce it was simply one of the best turkey samich I have had in a long time.
(5)
Edward O.

Brett's easy easy to pass by. We stopped in looking for BBQ near Del Mar on Yelp. The food is great, but it's probably farther than we'll travel again just to eat. But if you are near Encinitas, I recommend! I had the pulled pork dinner with fries and cole slaw. The meat was awesome. The fries and cole slaw were also very good. The portions are large. The people are friendly.
(4)
Loo M.

This is my favorite bbq place in San Diego. My parents and I frequent it a lot, and the owner is always super nice. The chicken bbq with mac n' cheese is THE BEST! The chicken is very lean and white(not often found in bbq).
(5)
Sarah E.

Great BBQ in San Diego is very hard to find, and it's definitely not here either. Not only is it expensive, the pork and beef ribs are just OK. The BBQ sauce is pretty good here though. I guess since I've lived in Kansas City, the BBQ capital, I have high standards.
(2)
Andrew C.

Great BBQ in San Diego, who knew? The restaurant is very clean, open, and welcoming. The menu has a very classic barbecue joint feeling to it, almost 50's-esqe. I tried the brisket and the pulled chicken. The brisket is easily the best I have had in San Diego. Black bark on the edges, with a deep, woodsy smokiness. Not overwhelming. The meat fell apart and was very tasty. The pulled chicken was decent, but not quite as flavorful or moist as I was expecting. BBQ sauce was sweet and tangy, but not overly so. Much more balanced and enjoyable than, say, Phil's BBQ sauce. While talking with the manager, we found out that they use hickory to smoke their meats. He was very friendly, and showed us their large smokers in the back. Serious business. Glad to see San Diego does have good, authentic BBQ run by some cool people. Update: The pulled pork is amazing. Like, the best I've ever had. I can't get enough of this stuff.
(5)
Chris R.

Brett's motto is "if it's not smoked, it's not barbeque" and this is something that I absolutely agree with. Some people might not like the smoky flavor, but they are probably closet vegetarians (not that there's anything wrong with that.) When I don't have the time to smoke my own meats, I like to swing by Brett's for takeout - the pulled pork is the best and the sweet potato fries are good too. The only problem I have with the corn pudding is that there never seems to be enough.
(5)
Andy S.

9/5 Just moved to the area and was pretty disappointed with my first experience. Thought it was a little pricey and the bbq wasn't fresh. It may have been due to the fact that it was late in the day but the bbq was really tough and grissly. The slaw was pretty beat too. The hush puppies were decent and the sweet potatoes were money. I'll give it one more shot but this time my expecatations will be low. 10/3...So i gave Bretts another shot...and was much more satisfied. we ordered a family pack for like $26 and it was money. it was plenty of food for 3 of us. pork was much better this time and the sweet potato fries were awesome! I'll be back
(4)
Jason J.

good ribs and large unhealthy portions. not much for the vegetarian to eat here. Love the sauces and the fries are good. The only disappointing thing here is the Brisket. ive tried it twice and its just too dry. i love my brisket to fall apart at the slighted gust of wind, but i also love it to be juicy and not like a dried up road kill in the middle of summer in texas. try it out once.
(3)
Brittney M.

Been a local fan for years! Every time you walk in this place you are greeted by warm smiles from the staff. You never have to wait long for the food, and not far from my house. The food is always delicious. Brett's has outside seating along with a few inside places to sit. But, I don't think you are coming for a nice place to sit right??? Nope here to dig in to some quality BBQ food!! Go with the family sampler, you get a little of everything to try. Unlike some other big fancy San Diego BBQ place (rhymes with Deals) they have cornbread. What is BBQ without cornbread???
(4)
Roger M.

The reason it takes so long is the ribs are reheated. Mine had to be three days old, burnt, crusty, hard as a rock, not fit for consumption. Shame on you for calling this barbeque. The sides sucked as well runny cole slaw and a 1.5" dia corn bread muffin that was so dry I almost choaked (seriously) on it. Diet Coke was OK though.
(1)
robert b.

What a fantastic place! The food is unbelievable and the great service I received from Brett and Bruce will keep me coming back. I had a UFC fight night at my business for my customers and they all really enjoyed the food from Bretts BBQ. The ribs are awesome!!
(5)
Sergey K.

This is a great BBQ place, all of the meat is well cooked, the sauce is pretty decent and the sides are fantastic. My favorite would have to be the brisket, never a disappointment here. The ribs are not a match for Phil's but other factors make up for the whole meal. Cornbread in general is not my thing, but everyone else always loves it here. The place is always very clean, tons of seating, lots of parking and the staff is very attentive. The beer is a little pricey, but hey, atleast they've Stone on tap.
(4)
John G.

Delightful, wonderful, warm comfort food--especially on a cold day. Had the pulled pork sandwich, side of corn pudding, and baked beans. My wife had the BBQ ribs--both dishes were out of this world and the service was A+. The only other BBQ experience we had was at a place in Hillcrest--the name of which escapes me. However, the difference was noteworthy, and Brett's is worth the drive from anywhere in the County. Any place that advertises using a pig in a chef's hat is a clear indicator of quality BBQ. Sinks are also a plus!
(4)
Orion H.

Brett"s is stellar in every category. quality and quantity, never leave unsatisfied because the flavors are unbeatable and the Portions are HUUUGEEE!!!! Their signature BBQ sauce.....speechless. Everything on the menu is a gem. My favorite spot in Encinitas, CA!
(5)
Holly F.

The only reason I am giving this restaurant one star is because I had no other choice. For your own good do NOT eat here. Probaby the worst food I have eaten in a long long time. Save your money. If you want real bbq drive 20 minutes south to Phil's.
(1)
Dan K.

Nice people, crummy food. I've had it several times, and I want it to be good but it just isn't. If you think this place passes for decent BBQ, you just haven't had the real thing. I actually doubt it's real BBQ, not much flavor and the meat does not slide off the baby back ribs the way it should if they were truly slow cooked. Pretty sure the Sysco delivery truck and microwave are the predominant forces behind their output.
(2)
Jeff K.

Okay. So. Been to Bretts several times. Good BBQ. There was a BBQ place here previously, Sante Fe BBQ I think, that was awful. So its a huge improvement. Stoked to have an actual BBQ spot here in Encinitas. I'm kind of a BBQ freak and have had it all over the country. If I wasn't from Kansas City I'd bump it up to 4 stars. The brisket is good. Served chopped on a bun for the sandwich. I'm more used to sliced, even on a sandwich. They give you a ton so that's cool. Sauce is pretty tasty. The sides they have are good. Slaw is typical stuff but solid. Good deli style potato salad. Fries are not my favorite. Good beans-especially if you put a little more sauce and a little chopped brisket in them. The sweet potato fries are great. Oh and get one of those corn muffins-they're super good. The place is really clean and the people are always nice and extremely helpful. I really appreciate good service so is nice when I find it.
(3)
Max B.

Good stuff. The pulled pork is Memphis style served with sauce on top. If you want to choose your sauce (and how much) this isn't for you. If you like quality meat and generous portions you'll like it. I had the pulled pork plate and it was more than enough for dinner with leftovers for lunch.
(3)
Kyle K.

A regular stop for me, and it never disappoints. Highly recommend the brisket, which is always tender. The dining room is clean and well-stocked with TVs, making it a good place to take in a ballgame while enjoying dinner. The staff is among the most friendly of any restaurant in the area.
(4)
Liam P.

The only thing I ever get is the texas rope sausage sandwhich with half reg. fries half sweet potato fries. It's amazing, the barbecue sauce is excellent. The place is super clean, people are nice and the food is always ready on time. I've had the chicken also and I opened up my to go box to grab a little piece in the car and ended up eating the whole thing with my car in gear, foot on the brake. Pretty disgusting and filthy but for me that's not too out of the ordinary.
(5)
Brian G.

Brett's brings great flavor to the BBQ in San Diego. The pulled sandwiches are fantastic (BBQ Chicken/Brisket/Pork)! A great avenue for first time visitors is to get a pulled sandwich, which comes with a side - and if you add a drink, it's around $10. Seems pretty fair for what you get. If you can eat it all, you will not leave there hungry. If you do go with ribs/chicken combo, it will cost you a little more, but once again, it is a lot of *great* food. The price on a combo like this would be my only complaint, but it is fair for what you get. I've used Brett's quite a few times (10+) for catering and they do an amazing job. For me it's usually been Brett/Bruce that deliver the food and they personally QC it during set-up. They give tips on best ways to keep the food warm, ways to pack up the leftovers, and they are always on time. As I've seen many other people mention, not only is the food great, but the owners (Brett & Bruce) are the nicest guys you could know. I highly recommend trying Brett's if you are in Encinitas or 4S Ranch.
(5)
Dan D.

We recentlhy attended the Miramar airshow and on the way back we were craving some good 'ole American BBQ. I searched Yelp, and I found many places to choose from but Brett's stood out to us. Wow, we ordered up a big family meal of ribs, pulled pork and chicken and we were not dissapointed. We liked it so much that we ordered another slab of ribs! The slaw was great, the sweet potato fries were amazing. We even got a tour of the kitchen and we saw first hand out they smoke the meat there. Our only dissapointment is that we have a long-drive from Torrance CA to Brett's down in Encinitas...Great food, service, people etc. We all got a chuckle out of washing our hands at the large sink basin at the exit....
(5)
Terry W.

We have been enjoying Brett's since it opened. The food is always great and served quickly. Even when the line is out the door. We frequently run in to Ron (co-owner). Ron is very friendly and makes sure everything is to your liking. This is the best BBQ in town by far!
(5)
Joe S.

This review is for Brett's smoked turkey which I ordered and picked up for Thanksgiving. I ordered a 16 lb bird several weeks before Thanksgiving, and everything went as planned. They have the system down. They ask you what time you want to pick it up, because with a smoked turkey its done and ready to serve. To their word the bird was ready at the agreed upon time. (They also arranged for Vallet service to the car, which wasn't necessary, but was a nice touch anyway.) The bird was everything I expected and saved me hours of frustration trying to get a bird to cook properly. The white meat was cooked throughout, was tender while the dark meat flaked off of the bone. Overall it was exactly what I expected, although if you are looking for a juicy turkey you might be disappointed. (Again the bird was not dry, but a smoked turkey is not going to be as moist as an oven cooked bird.)
(5)
Frederick H.

Grabbed a half-rack of beef ribs for takeout. The guy at the counter was friendly and helpful, suggesting the combo rather than the a-la-carte, but since they still don't have many low-calorie sides, I stuck with the ribs. Had a beer while I waited. The half-rack turned out to be 5 medium-sized ribs, which is pretty generous; other places often have 3 large. Not a whole lot of meat on them, but they were cooked well and the sauce was great.
(3)
Aaron M.

I work in Encinitas and was looking for a good BBQ place. Let me start off by saying that after Phil's BBQ, no other BBQ place compares. The sandiwches are really good here. I like the tri tip one. They also have good sweet potato fries. The prices are okay. Really friendly staff
(4)
James F.

Wow. Last night, my brother and I were up in Encinitas and our dad had mentioned possibly getting dinner to go from this place, after seeing it reviewed in the AAA Westways magazine. So we hit it up for some takeout and ordered the whole restaurant to take home to our folks: - a full rack of baby back ribs - a half chicken - 1/2 lb of beef brisket - 1/2 lb of pulled pork - sides: an order of sweet potato fries, hush puppies, BBQ beans, an a little cole slaw. We feasted. It was good. The ribs were very delicious, and the pulled pork was quite good, when slathered with the BBQ sauce they packed everything with. The sweet potato fries got a little soggy on the car ride home (it was a half hour trip back to san diego) but still flavorful, and hush puppies were only so-so. but the meat was yummy. the sauce was yummy. the BBQ beans were awesome. The chicken was good, but when i go back, it'll be for the ribs or pulled pork. My brother and dad thought good things of the brisket, which i was envious of (beef is no longer in my diet, sadly - this was one of those days when i considered eating it anyway) While we were at the restaurant, I had the copy of Westways with a pic of the two owners, and got Bruce to autograph his picture in the magazine article for my dad. Hilarious! he also hooked us up with some free beverage cups while we waited for our order to be assembled. That's some great service -- but we also made a pretty big order. The restaurant looks decently sized for lunch or dinner in the area, and has a huge industrial sink near the door to wash up after eating food. Although while the fingers get clean, the marvelous aroma of sauce might remain. This place tends to have the more vinegar-y style of sauce over the tomato-y style of sauce. Getting the spread that we did ain't cheap, but was worth it. I don't give five stars to places often, and usually only after frequenting the establishment for a long time, so giving a place 5 stars after one visit is a sign of how much i liked it.
(5)
Andy V.

This location is really nice. Big roomy dinning room. Has a section to grab extra plates and silverware. Also to go containers to help yourself to. There is a sink to wash up as well. Cool pics on the walls, LCD tv's and blues music playing all the time. Staff is very friendly and wants to find out if you enjoyed your meal. This place is really good check it out. My favorite is the The Pit Master Salad Mixed greens with choice of smoked pulled pork, beef brisket or pulled chicken. Smoked gouda, roasted sweet corn, black beans, jicama, tomato and sweet onion served with BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Ask for it tossed and they will put the BBQ sause and ranch dressing on and toss it all together, delicious.
(4)
Steve W.

My daughter had a very casual wedding dinner for 40 plus people here. The service was friendly and great and the food was very, very good. Very accommodating . We will return!
(5)
Leah L.

I was expecting the worse when I stepped into Brett's BBQ - I mean really, can anything compare to Phils? But now that I have moved to Encinitas Phils is a little too far so it is time to find a new BBQ place. I ordered the quarter chicken with cornbread, corn pudding, and fries. My husband ordered the beef brisket with a side of beans. Both meals were very good! I was very happy with the sauce on the chicken and it was so moist and not dry at all. The sides were basic and good. I wish they had mac n' cheese as a side because that would make my day..... We took the food to go so I can not comment on the decor or service. I am looking forward to going back again soon to check out more menu options but for now 4 stars is the way to go.
(4)
Johnny G.

Been here three times and every time the food was great. Good prices, plenty of drink options (beers on tap, wine, etc), and best sweet potato fries in North County. I travel a lot for work and this place is on par with the some of the best BBQ joints I've tried in the mid west. Brett's is my new "go to" BBQ in San Diego. Sorry Phil.
(5)
STEPHANIE B.

Nothing but good things to say about this place. Beef brisket, pulled pork, burger...all amazing. Very friendly staff too! When I am craving a burger, this is where I go! The location is a bit hidden which is the only reason I can think of that it is not packed every time we go.
(5)
Eric A.

Been wanting to try this place for a while since it's up by my corporate mailbox. Very surprised at all the positive ratings for this place. I ordered a full rack of baby back ribs, and frankly, I disappointed. They weren't BAD per se, but they weren't nearly as good as Phil's. Now I don't think Phil's is the be-all of BBQ (it's not even in my top 5 favorites of all time) but it's best in San Diego (so far). My ribs were really tough - I actually had to bit and chew the meat off them. It should not be a chore to get the meat off the bone when you're eating ribs. There was practically no sauce on the ribs when they were delivered to the table, but there's a big thing of sauce at the table and you can slather it up as you like. Said sauce was good, not great - much prefer to have more (warm) sauce on the ribs but I get why they let you control how much sauce you want. The fries sucked, the potato salad was pretty good actually. I'll go back because I'd like to try the pulled pork sandwich, but I'm sorry - when I think BBQ, I think ribs. (sigh)
(3)
C.S. G.

Great barbeque and helpful, kind staff. Even though I don't live in this area, I'll definitely eat there when I pass through and recommend this to all locals.
(4)
Jon A.

Brett and Bruce are always making certain that our family is well taken care of! The food is consistently fresh and of the highest quality. If you have not been to Brett's, you are missing out on a great casual family dining option.
(4)
Alisa M.

Big improvement over previous establishment that was here. Huge!!! I am probably one of the only people in San Diego that doesn't go all hogshit over Phil's BBQ. Meh just doesn't do it for me. The BBQ sauce is too vinegary for my taste and they suffocate the freaking meat. It's BBQ places like Phil's that make me reluctant to even eat at BBQ restaurants. Everyone else loves them so there must be something wrong with me. Well Brett's BBQ has turned me onto savory smoked meat forever. I had the salad with Brisket on it and it was fantastic. The BBQ sauce came on the side because like I mentioned previously I'm not a fan of vinegar style sauce. Well nothing to be afraid of here. The sauce was sweet, slightly tangy and a perfect compliment to my brisket. I was a little bummed that this place didn't offer corn on the cob but the french fries more than made up for it. Usually I can take or leave french fries but these ones? OMG I couldn't stop eating them. I loved them. Thin crispy deliciousness and I never say that about fries. So aside from the delicious food the service was outstanding. All of the employees were so friendly and seemed to really like their jobs. The owner (I assume) cruises around the place making sure everyone is satisfied but not in an intrusive way. One other observation that has nothing to do with Brett's. Why is it when you park all by yourself in a parking lot away from everyone and you come out to see that like 5 cars have surrounded you when there are plenty of parking spaces they could have parked in? Why do they have to park right next to you? Well that's the way it was in the restaurant. We sat farthest away from other people. Not to be snotty just because that's what we did. So there are like tons of empty tables (we were there right before the dinner hour so it wasn't full yet) and I go pick up my food and return to the table and like 4 families are suddenly surrounding me? WTF? Couldn't you have taken your kids and maybe sat away from the only people in the restaurant that didn't have a kid? Hmmm did you think maybe we might not want to sit next to a table with 4 kids? You couldn't have sat in one of the many other tables? Tell me I want to know!!
(4)
V R.

Love this place! They have good BBQ and prices!
(5)
Elizabeth P.

I love this place. I live about 8 or 9 miles away. I found them because they advertised in my son's school's newsletter. Since I LOVE barbecue and I was extremely underwhelmed by Phil's, I thought I'd try this place. That was about three years ago. I love their brisket and their ribs. Their pulled pork is pretty good too. We usually get one of the family packages so we have lots of leftovers for days. The corn pudding is heavenly. We have had them cater our Christmas dinners the last couple of years. Their smoked prime rib is amazing. It is not on their menu, but you can special order it for Christmas. I don't know if they do it other times of the year. They do Thanksgiving turkeys as well, but I have never had them. And I can't forget to mention their sweet potato fries. They are amazing. Not too crispy, not too soggy. I am suffering from withdrawal because of my diet - yes, I could go here and just get chicken and salad (and their chicken is really good), - but how can you come here and not get corn pudding and sweet potato fries - that would be torture. We used to come here once a month (we don't eat out often). My husband's birthday is coming up and he wants to go here. I will then have an excuse to cheat on my diet and eat those yummy sweet potato fries.
(5)
Verlee G.

Since I work in the area, my co-workers and I are always trying to find a great place to eat. Brett's is one on our list now! As soon as we walked in, we asked "what's recommended".. and pretty much they mentioned everything! After looking at all the things on the menu, my co-worker and I ended up sharing a rack of spare ribs, and we ended up getting potato salad and slaw on the side. The service was pretty speedy, and the portions were huge! We were pretty satisfied with what we ordered. You really had to roll me out of there.. The place is pretty spacious, and clean. I love the handwashing sinks on the way out, it's such a must to get cleaned up after eating a meal like that! We'll be back again to try other things on the menu. I forgot to get some bread pudding to go. A couple on the way out asked me if I ended up trying the bread pudding -- and she highly recommended it to me as they drove down from LA and were in the area. She mentions they always stop here when they're in the area!
(4)
Brent S.

I am new back to Encinitas after a 9 year hiatus, and to my surprise, this GREAT BBQ joint took over where Pat and Oscar's used to be, much to my delight. I remember hearing about Brett's from friends/associates, but due to it's unassuming sign, I never really looked twice at it from Encinitas Blvd. Then one day about 6 months ago, I was coming out of the Ralph's shopping center and realized THAT was the place everyone was talking about. So I decided to stop by and noticed they have a convenient drive up area with a take-out door and register. I ordered the Tri-Tip sandwich which comes with horseradish sauce and I got the awesome sweet potato fries for the side. Tri-tip is cooked to perfection and is great with the AuJous sauce and radish. Of the half dozen or-so times I've been in there, the managers (forgot their names) have been super nice and remember me. Very clean and spacious restaurant as well. Pick-up order is ready super quick, even if you order it there- 4-5 minutes max. Also good images of blues icons on the walls and even has a cattle-style sink/handwashing station by the exit door so you dont tack BBQ sauce all over those door handles and steering wheel on the way home! Definitely recommend!!
(4)
Sandra U.

This is the closest thing you can get in California to the famous 'The Shed' barbeque place in Gautier, MS. Tender, smoked, delicious barbeque and traditional side dishes make this place a real treat. I personally love the sweet potato fries and the beef ribs. I've never had a bad meal here, and the service is normally quite good, even when it's busy. We often get take-out from this place, but we also have the occasional 'special occasion' lunch here for someone's birthday. Seating can be impossible at lunch time, so go early.
(4)
Joel B.

Tasty food and run by some really nice folks. Everyone on staff is extremely welcoming, authentically so. On our first trip, one of the owners (not Brett) spent a good 10 minutes talking with us and brought by some food samples of other items on the menu he thought we would like. Our conversation covered football, our recent move to the area, and a few other topics. It made us feel welcome. The BBQ itself was very good but not totally memorable. Their salad and sides are quite good. The sweet potato fries, in particular, are excellent. I would definitely recommend those. We find that Brett's is perfect for when we have friends over. We order it for pick-up and it never disappoints. Service: 5 out of 5 Food: 3.5 out of 5 Atmosphere: Diner-ish Kid friendly Laid back
(4)
Grace C.

We've always wanted to try Brett's BBQ, and today was the day. I try to be fair, and try not to take other restaurants in similar business as comparison (hint - Phils BBQ), since I always believe in giving a fair start...however, this was probably not the best day for us to visit. (1) There were 3 of us, I looked at the 'Sample Platter' for $21, and proceed to order that along with extra corn bread (since there were three of us sharing). The lady who took our order never mentioned that for $2 more, we could get the family meal that comes with more food and 4 corn bread (found this out after she took our order - and she never said anything or offered to cancel and retake the order after I turned to my BF and told him). (2) You help yourself to get extra plates. After the food arrive, I reached over to grab the 3 stacked plates that my BF brought to our table, I found that one of them was very dirty and still had food on it, I then looked at the plate that was sitting above it - disgusting! There was some sort of leftover food all over the bottom of the plate, makes me wonder if they only wash and rinse the top of the plates. (3) After we were done eating, the samples platter still had enough food for a one person leftover (it was very obvious!). The busboy hurried over and pointed at my plate and asked if I was done, and I said yet. Before I knew it, he tossed my plate onto the leftover sample platter (which I was planning to get a box). There goes my leftovers for later, and ,my patience to ever return! If the food was good, I'd probably give them another chance and come back, but the food was just average. Therefore, they just lost a quite a few customers.
(1)
Don A.

This location has been the "kiss of death" several times since Oscar's moved out. Not so much the location itself, but more it suffers from the "It's in Encinitas" factor. Sort'a like the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" factor. Locals have old favorites and if a new place isn't spot on the first visit, it will be passed up. I truly hope that Brett's makes it here because Encinitas needed a good reliable rib place. That said, there hasn't been one entree we haven't enjoyed there, with one exception: Would you believe - the ribs. Lunchtime 1/2 rack was dry and looked like it spent too much time on a warming shelf somewhere. Not once, but two visits in a row ! So on their third chance I spoke up when we ordered. Brett himself happened to be there and apologized for the previous visits. He delivered arguably the best 1/2 rack of succulent true barbecue ribs I've had in years. OooRah. My only other "complaint" is that the sodium levels seem to be pretty darn high around there, but that only affects us geezers. It's still the only rib place in town AFAIC.
(4)
Louise S.

After going to Brett's many times and loving the pork spareribs, we were so disappointed the other night by dry, old ribs. Yuck!
(1)

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Address : 1505 Encinitas Blvd
Encinitas, CA, 92024
Phone (760) 436-7427
Website https://www.brettsbbq.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Bretts BBQ

1505 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA, 92024

Bretts BBQ Menu

Salads

Sandwiches

From the Smoker

Other Stuff

Sides

Dessert

A La Carte

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bretts BBQ

Salads

Sandwiches

From the Smoker

Other Stuff

Sides

Dessert

A La Carte

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