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Name: Phil’s BBQ
Address: 3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92110
Telephone: (619) 226-6333
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.21

Phil’s BBQ

3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92110

(619) 226-6333
Store is closed

Phil’s BBQ Menu

Baby Back Rib Dinners

Full Rib Dinner (10 to 12 Bones)

Half Rib Dinner (6 to 7 Bones)

Quarter Rib Dinner (4 Bones)

Rib-less Dinner
Baby Back Ribs Only

Full Rib Only (10 to 12 Bones)

Half Rib Only (6 to 7 Bones)

One Bone Sampler PORK
Beefy Rib Dinners

Full Beef Rib Dinner (5 Bones)

Beef Rib Dinner (3 Bones)
Beefy Ribs Only

Full Beef Rib Only (5 Bones)

One Bone Sampler BEEF
Phil's Ticklers

Baby Back Rib Tickler (3 Bones)

Beefy Rib Tickler (1 Bone)

Chick Tickler
BBQ Chicken Dinners

Half Chicken Dinner

Half Chicken Dinner (All White)

Quarter Chicken Dinner

Chick-less Dinner
BBQ Chicken Only

Half Chicken Only

Half Chicken Only (All White)

Quarter Chicken Only
The Best of Both

Baby Back Rib & Chicken Dinner

Baby Back Rib & Chick-less Dinner

Beefy Rib & Chicken Dinner

Beefy Rib & Chick-less Dinner
Salads

Caesar

Spring Mix
Sandwiches

BBQ Broham (Pulled Pork)

El Toro

BBQ Cheeseburger

BBQ Turkey Burger

BBQ Chicken Breast

BBQ Garden Veggie Burger
Colossal Onion Rings

Colossal Onion Rings
Small Serving

Fresh Cut Fries

Sweet Baked Beans

Fresh Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Macaroni Salad
Large Serving

Baked Potato

Corn-on-the-Cob

Steamed Veggies

Fresh Cut Fries

Sweet Baked Beans

Fresh Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Macaroni Salad

Healthy Meal suggestions for Phil’s BBQ

Baby Back Rib Dinners

Full Rib Dinner (10 to 12 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half Rib Dinner (6 to 7 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quarter Rib Dinner (4 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rib-less Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Baby Back Ribs Only

Full Rib Only (10 to 12 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half Rib Only (6 to 7 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

One Bone Sampler PORK [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beefy Rib Dinners

Full Beef Rib Dinner (5 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Rib Dinner (3 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beefy Ribs Only

Full Beef Rib Only (5 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

One Bone Sampler BEEF [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Phil's Ticklers

Baby Back Rib Tickler (3 Bones) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beefy Rib Tickler (1 Bone) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chick Tickler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
BBQ Chicken Dinners

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

Half Chicken Dinner (All White) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Chick-less Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
BBQ Chicken Only

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

Half Chicken Only (All White) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quarter Chicken Only [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
The Best of Both

Baby Back Rib & Chicken Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Back Rib & Chick-less Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beefy Rib & Chicken Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beefy Rib & Chick-less Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

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

Spring Mix [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

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

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

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

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

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

BBQ Garden Veggie Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Colossal Onion Rings

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

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

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

Fresh 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 ]

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

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

Corn-on-the-Cob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Fresh 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 ]

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

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Write An Anonymous Review

Nate C.

The line is worth it if you do have to wait. But learn the tricks.
(5)
Kara D.

For a place that's insanely busy at all times, the staff is consistently helpful and welcoming.
(5)
Ruben M.

First time in and we are glad we stopped by! They are open Monday's now and we showed up at around 3ish and didn't have to wait at all! Very friendly and the food was delicious!!! Had both the beef bone and baby back ribs as well as the chicken! All the sides were very good as well! If we are back in town we will be stopping by this place! Bomb!
(5)
Jeannine C.

Was looking forward to trying this place but was disappointed. Super long lines, staff absolutely not helpful, and when I called to ordered to pick up it still took over an hour to actually pay and receive my food. Parking sucks, and the food wasn't that great either. My corn on the cob wasn't cooked very well and tough. Not good barbecue at all.
(2)
jann g.

Good food, extremely poor service. Manager was walking around like he just had a lobotomy.
(3)
Crystal Z.

TL;DR - Not really a meat eater, but it was one of those SD experiences you kinda have to have. We've been a couple times and most of the time, the line is only like 5 minutes! (Avoid weekends ya'll!) Omg.... the beef ribs. I die. Its so darn good! The macaroni salad is our favorite side and we usually get 2 large orders of it. ALSO. If you happen to be traveling to Phil's the barbeque is actually decent as leftovers too! I throw it in mac and cheese, or into a sandwich, or just served with rice (I know, totally Asian). But yes. I hate lines and waits, but Phils is SO worth it!
(4)
Symone R.

I thought this place was going to be overrated, but it's not. I completely understand why there's always a long line every time I drive by now. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich and their gigantic onion rings and it was so so good. Their sauce is flawless and their meat is cooked perfectly with just enough smoke. I'm pretty sure they "pull" their meat from their ribs. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Michelle M.

I LOVE Phils BBQ. It is my favorite place to take people who are new to San Diego. Even though there are lines, it is WORTH the wait. I believe this is the best restaurant to show that is only available in san diego. the portions are big and they are great to share! its best to go on the weekdays to avoid the long lines.
(5)
David H.

The beefy rib here is the best. You don't get this food everywhere. I personally like to tell them to separate the sauce so I can control the amount. If you dine in make sure you tell them to separate the sides on a different plate when you get fries. They give you so much extra.
(5)
kris c.

Super good n big serving... The wait was worth it. About an hour... But after we ate we felt like omg we wont be eating bbq for a month or 2. Dont kno if thats good or bad.. Great service, friendly staff. Will be back every sd visit. Beef ribs so meaty!!! Worth it!
(5)
Gene W.

Great Barbeque! I like going alone, that way I can almost always get a quick seat and sitting at the bar. There is usually a long line at dinner time.
(4)
Derrick D.

You HAVE to go to Phil's anytime you are in San Diego. Check out the lines on their webcam first. We went for late lunch (2:00pm) and walked straight in. Amazing bbq. Huge portions. Service was probably the best part. Everyone is happy there. GO HERE
(5)
Sandra C.

We come here every year for one of my birthday meals. Yes, it's loud and happening and a long line but if you sign up for the email, you get the front of the line pass with that printout plus id to use during your birthday week for you and three other adults!! Yeah! You can't beat the great deal of $19.99 for full rack of baby back ribs and two small sides. I always order fries (you get a boatload!) and macaroni salad. You have enough to eat for at least one more meal. Staff also come by to bring you more stuff--napkins, take away your trays, etc. Great food and great service. (If you do to go, I recommend asking that your fries be in a separate container).
(5)
Belly T.

OH MY LANTA!!!! So my husband had heard some pretty amazing things from this place and he insisted on trying it and only because it was his birthday I agreed. We pulled up and the line was wrapped around the building! We had just returned from the Safari Park so we were exhausted and not willing to wait so we had left and ate somewhere else. That night I was looking on yelp and seeing how many amazing reviews they had and I had to give it a try. So the next day after Seaworld we had called in our order for take out and took it back to our hotel room. OH MY GOODNESS!!! It was phenomenal! I'm not a big bbq person and I could eat Phil's bbq for days!!! I got the 1/4 ribs, fries, and macaroni salad, and everything was cooked to perfection! My only regret is not going back to purchase the bbq sauce and the dry rub. I continue to rave about this place and I can still smell the tangy goodness of that sauce. So if anyone is going to SD just go and see what I'm talking about and bring me back some sauce!
(5)
Rachel D.

After a weekend of eating nothing but seafood in Mexico, we were craving meat. Red meat, and lots of it. If there's one thing I hate, it's waiting in line for food. But as you'll read over and over again on this page, it's well worth the wait. Their ribs are so flavorful. And their chicken? So tender. SO tender. There's BBQ sauce on the tables, but honestly, you don't really need it. I like tasting the smokiness of the meat without slathering it in sauce, but that's just me. I think I scared the guy who dropped my tray off because I must have let out some sort of deep primeval grunt :p I ordered a side of steamed veggies cus I had a mild case of carnivore guilt (and washed it down with some local SD craft beer mmm). I don't know if I'll come back because again, I HATE waiting for food, but I'm glad I got to try it while in the area.
(5)
Dee Y.

Great food and service. Yes, the lines are long as hell but it honestly moves quicker than you think. I really enjoyed the baby back ribs, fries, onion rings, potato salad and sausage links. Had the chicken once and hated it!!! Service is top notch. Very attentive wait staff despite how busy they were. The food also came out in less than 10 mins even though the restaurant was packed. I am very impressed by how efficient they are here!
(5)
Julia K.

Always a long line, unless I go early! Loved their ribs and pull pork burger. I bought a jar of their bbq sauce, hope I will have a success making a slab of ribs!
(4)
Yi W.

Excellent rips! Very impressive! I can't stop me from rating it 5 stars! You will never feel regret after 40 mins waiting in line. I gonna rate the beefy rib 6 stars if I can. Don't miss out! Don't miss out! Don't miss out! (As it is significant so I repeat three times)
(5)
Jonathan W.

This place is great...loce the baby back ribs with they awesome sauce. The wait is can vary, but be patient...it's worth the wait. Side note, you can purchase Phil's sauce at Business Costco for $8.99 ( 2-32oz. bottles)
(5)
Jenny L.

Came here on a Wednesday night and we waited for about 45mins. It didn't seem that long and the line moves pretty fast. We ordered the full dinner for BBQ ribs, broham sandwich, BBQ chicken, onion rings, Potato salad, and cole slaw. We ordered quite a lot but it didn't take too long for us to get everything. The wait was def worth it because everything was DELICIOUS. Esp the ribs!!! I would definitely come back for the ribs. I think pricing is reasonable. It wasn't too expensive. Our total was around $47. Depends on the menu you also get 2 sides Oh and if you need more BBQ sauce all you do is ask. They give you extra with no charge :)
(5)
Vicky C.

Sooooooo good!!! Beer: so cold and refreshing Beef ribs: big, juicy, and delicious Pork ribs: moist and flavorful Onion rings: crispy and guilt-fully good Baked beans, macaroni salad, and cole slaw: a great complement to the meat The wait is a pain... but the food is worth it!!!!!!!
(5)
Serving S.

I love phials! It's the best bbq joint in SD by far! The one in santee is Huge!
(5)
Yang S.

Pretty good!
(5)
Lori O.

I am convinced that Phil's gets their bbq sauce straight from heaven. Sometimes I go to Petco park to eat phil's. I mean, to see the padres play. while i eat phil's. that truly is the perfect night out - eating phil's while taking in a game at petco park. Anyway - Sausage Sandwich is where it's at!!
(5)
Anna C.

Best BBQ in town! I love Phil's! They have the best of everything, my most favorite is the veggie burger. The only thing about Phil's is the long line (wait can be up to 45mins or more depending) but it's well worth the wait.
(5)
Kalia L.

Its amazing! They have huge portion!
(5)
Emma F.

I will never EVER understand the hype here. I know I am a fish lover but I can enjoy a good rack of ribs and this was just OK at best. Definitely not worth the wait. I also enjoy a good side of baked beans and they were so bland. There could definitely be better BBQ in this world.
(2)
Jenny H.

Food: 4/5 Ambience: 3/5 Other: 1/5 - the ridiculously long wait Overall: 2.7/5 So this place is apparently a huge deal here, although I'm unsure of exactly why. I'm also a bit biased because I spent 4 years in the south and had my fill of delicious, southern BBQ. However my friends loved this place, so I decided to check it out with them. The food IS good, but it didn't blow my mind. I also think the food tasted better simply because I was completely starving due to waiting in line for so long (more on that later...) Don't bother with the tri-tip--ribs all the way, baby! The place is huge, and is designed a bit like a... Barn? No complaints really about the decor, but it is a little dark in there, and the tables were a bit greasy and questionably clean. I usually don't complain about the wait, because I think it's a bit unfair to rate a restaurant based on wait (mostly because it's usually out of their control). But we waited 2.5 hours!! 2.5 hours! I've never waited longer for any other restaurant in my life! I think they really do try their best to move their line as fast as possible... But 2.5 hours? There's got to be something they can do to reduce that waiting time even more. Would recommend for a try, but probably won't come back unless the line is much, much shorter haha.
(3)
Mike H.

The best BBQ I've tasted in SoCal. Huge portions, good little place to take people visiting San Diego.
(5)
Dr. Dianne R.

Phil's BBQ is my favorite place in the whole world for BBQ. The lines are long; however, they move fast, the staff is friendly and courteous, the ambiance is casual and the food is scrumptious!
(5)
Janel P.

There's a reason why the line is usually 10 miles long. Being from Texas, this is a REAL BBQ joint. The potato salad is FIRE! So good. Actually, all the sides are good. BBQ plates are huge for a great price. I am not a fan of the set up for ordering. You order cafeteria style but then have to sit down for your food or hope there's a table. It becomes very crowded and confusing trying to figure out what's yours.
(4)
Gus L.

I love the trend here at the airport of putting hometown favorites right in the terminal. I may be a local boy...but getting to sit down while waiting for my flight, and have a cold Stone beer and Toro sandwich from Phils was fantastic! This is a small location...really an airport bar that is now under the Phil's BBQ name. But that is really all it takes. Full bar, local beers...and amazing Phils food. The tables are well spaced so you don't feel like your eating with everyone else...and the staff is laid back, yet friendly and attentive. A great stopover on your way into out from America's Finest City.
(4)
Jennifer H.

Love this place! It's once in a blue moon when my siblings want phill's. The wait is crazy during dinner time depending on which location you go to I believe. Most of the time we would Togo which is a great idea if you don't want to wait. I either get the baby ticklers, half chicken half baby ribs or full rack of baby ribs. It's very filling! So either share with someone or save them for leftovers.Their onion rings and potato salad are my fave too! And their very own sauce makes a difference! I'm glad they are open on Mondays now! Because most of the time, we would show up at phill's on a Monday and forgot they were closed! The customer service is great! Everyone is so friendly, they stick with a good attitude no matter how busy it is.
(5)
Kelvin C.

Long wait. Large portions. Got the full beef rib dinner 23.95 and the full baby back rib dinner 19.95 The beef. Really big, should probably share if you get the full rack. Sauce is pretty good for restaurant quality. Meat tender falls off the bone fairly easily. But is very fatty The pork. Small as expected since it's baby back, but still full of meat. The outside layer was charred to the point where after I ate my first piece I needed to rip the char off the others in order to not spit it out. Meat fell off fairly easy felt like around 3 hours worth of cooking since my family cooks ribs a lot. Kind of confusing coming in, you have to order then find a seat on your own. Lines are long, but they move pretty darn fast.
(4)
Grey R.

Long wait most of the time, but for good reason. Great bbq and lots of options for sides. Friendly service and very attentive staff. I was impressed to see such good customer service, because you don't see it much these days. Will definitely go back. Great place to bring out of town company for a laid back, tasty, meal.
(4)
Ahmed Q.

Man this place is amazing! The food was the best food I ever have! The ribs they have are from heaven lol. The only problem though is that the line is too long and you have to wait for 20 min at least but it is sooo worth it!!!
(5)
D A.

The best. Great sandwiches, ribs, sides and onion rings. A must in SD.
(5)
Tyler N.

I have no idea why this place is so busy? The food is slightly above average and the wait is atrocious. The white meat chicken was dry, the pork ribs were decent, and the side are average.
(3)
L. W.

Love Phil's the wait is long but worth it, go when you aren't starving. Love the BroHam sammie and the ribs.
(4)
Mireya R.

This place was a PERFECT spot for a family dinner. Was not thrilled of going to bbq place since I'm a vegetarian lol, however their Veggie bbq burger was super good. Bbq sauce was delicious and the fries and onion rings were too good. My family and I loved this spot so much we went back the following day for lunch! Great staff as well. I'll be coming back here for sure!
(4)
katie b.

We have been going to Phil's since he was a walk up window in hillcrest, my entire family loves his food. But we went there on my dad's 70th Birthday and we're treated horribly by one of the staff members because we had 6 people, 2 babies I guess now count as full grown guests and are a inconvenience. I spoke with the manager at and he was nice... he said the woman who was rude to us and who was out of line would come over and make things right... never happened. Just felt slighted the entire time, there is a new BBQ house in Ocean beach. Going to give them a try.
(2)
S C.

OK BBQ.Pretty expensive for something where I have to bus my own table. The quality is a little better than Tony Romas, but not really by much. The staff was too inclined to further their own social calendars then wait on us. There are much better BBQ places in close proximity that are far superior.
(2)
Amanda C.

We love Phil's BBQ! We seriously go once a week and it never gets old. This isn't your super meaty Texas BBQ. The meat is obviously great, but it is all about the sauce. They now offer a full service bar and are now open on Mondays! We couldn't be more excited about this. If you are going to the Point Loma location there is definitely going to be a wait no matter what time you go. If you go when it opens at 11am you will still wait in a line but it will go much quicker and you will be able to find a seat right away.
(5)
Susanna M.

I got three time but everytime I go I end up throwing up I'm not sure if it's because of the bbq or the meat but it's not working out for me the customer service is good ..but the line suckks
(1)
L S.

Their sauce is horrible, food pricey and not much flavor. I enjoyed the French fries the most :( Try Enzo's in Oceanside much better.
(1)
Kris S.

May be a little over rated but pretty damn good BBQ lol the ribs and BBQ sauce are just amazing!! Of course the only downside is the wait time (45-1 hour min.) Standing in line and smelling the BBQ is torture..so make sure your phone is fully charged and have good company with you to help pass the time.
(5)
Abbe W.

We came back to dine here. Since it wasn't a holiday, the line is shorter but at the same time we didn't get there until 1pm because of the traffic and accidents along the I-5. The lunch crowd might have been gone by then. This time around we just combined our orders. Since most of us like the beef ribs, we order 2 full slabs, 1 slabs of baby back ribs, pull pork addon, macaroni salad, onion rings and fries. Plenty of food to feed 6 hungry adults. We even had leftovers too. Really hope they have one in OC.
(5)
John G.

I just don't get the hype over this place. I guess it's a decent sandwich. Nothing spectacular. Perhaps it is just aimed at the masses who don't know better. It's just not real bbq. It's not slow-cooked over wood. Flavor is coming from rubs and sauce, and a quick trip over the grill. You just don't have the same flavor without those hours of smoke. Stick to the old boys in town who still smoke over wood.
(2)
Anna Y.

This is good BBQ. With its reputation, I was expecting more. But if you have a craving, it is good BBQ. The taste seemed mostly from the sauce, not much true smoke.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

Best bbq in town. Always a line around the building. Take out is the easiest or the bar.
(5)
Lloyd B.

We were excited to be able to eat at San Diego's famous BBQ place, ranked in the top 10 SD restaurants! It's a large and crowded restaurant with an extremely friendly and efficient staff. The portions are large and quickly prepared. As first timers they gave us a little ID sticker and spent extra time explaining the menu. My first surprise was there was no brisket or sausage on the menu and no okra or green beans, sigh. My wife ordered a pulled pork sandwich as there was no pulled pork plate. I ordered a half rack of baby back ribs with a double cole slaw. We shared the fries on my wife's plate as there had to be a heaping soup bowl (bowl just to give you a size comparison). The ribs were smallish but tender and tasty but overpowered by the extra sweet BBQ sauce which seemed to get sweeter as you ate. The pulled pork was delicious and would have been better without cloying sweet sauce:( The cole slaw had an excellent flavor and was slightly tart helping with the BBQ sauce. By 5:45pm there was a long line of people snacking out the front door and down the side of the building so get there early. I have to say we were disappointed. We have had far superior que in other places like central CA, and the Phoenix AZ area, and in KY and TN. Sorry, we won't return.
(3)
Derek F.

The worst sauce I've ever had--so runny and vinagery. Ribs and Tri-tip sandwich were on the chewy side. I don't understand why people love this place. Granted, I'm from Kansas City, the king of BBQ.
(1)
Soulvei W.

This is a very good example of how the hype of a certain place can give you high expectations that are met with a mediocre delivery. My boyfriend and I had heard how amazing this place was from several high profile people including Miles McPherson of The Rock Church, San Diego. He praised it as the best BBQ he's ever had and boy did the long line that perpetually surrounds the place seem to cement his gushing praise. But the line is deceiving. I had initially resisted going to Phil's because I thought that the line was for a table when in fact it is just for ordering the food and tables are on a first come basis. We ordered and the food was fine. It wasn't amazing by any means but it was good enough that I ate most of it. The sauce wasn't anything to write home about except that it did taste a bit too much like vinegar. After our initial visit we never actually went back. My boyfriend was so underwhelmed that every time I suggested that we give Phil's another try he would just blow it off and settle for Wendy's instead because it was faster, less hassel, and cheaper (and, in my opinion, better). We are great fans of Wendy's so I'm not putting Phil's down, per se... I'm just saying that it's not worth the hassel of waiting in line, finding a table, finding condiments that aren't terrifyingly sticky, and trying to talk over the noise of untamed children, annoying weekend warriors, and crappy piped in music. It IS worth a try. I encourage you to give it a go despite my less than stellar impression of the place. Take your family, get your food to go and eat it at the beach or in the comfort of your home. Who knows, maybe it'll tickle your fancy. As for me and mine, we are sticking to The BBQ House.
(3)
Chelsea W.

Now let me start by saying I am not a big BBQ fan; especially being so close to the ocean my go to is always seafood. Nonetheless my friends insisted I try this place and that it was "the best"....Now I will tell you again, I am not the biggest BBQ fan but this place is now a must stop whenever I am in San Diego....AMAZINGGGGG! I got the bone in pork ribs, they had the perfect ratio of sauce and the meat was so succulent it was fall off the bone. The two sides I got were the beans and the macaroni salad. The beans were like any other beans a little on the sweet side but good still. The macaroni salad was to DIE FOR. Hands down best macaroni salad I have ever tried. This was something I have been trying to track down on the internet to make myself, it was THAT good! Also don't forget to get a couple of the oatmeal whoopie pies. After eating your meal you wont have room for it but you will love it later! The oatmeal whoopie pie's cookie was the perfect amount of crunch on the outside and creamy filling on the inside, yum yum! Do not get the chocolate whoopee pie. I was not a fan, it wasn't totally disgusting but it did not even slightly compare to the oatmeal and it tasted like burnt chocolate with cream just not that great. You will have to do a little bit of waiting to get inside but it is well worth the time!!! Hope You Enjoy!!!!!
(5)
Paul A.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Really, what more needs to said. I have had them cater two major events for me and the staff was very helpful in planning and the food was amazing. Nothing left. I have been a true follower of Phil's since the days they were in the Mission Hills/Hillcrest location.
(5)
Ryan G.

I lucked out on being in the right area to stop by and try this for dinner. I had bookmarked it a while back after reading so many amazing reviews. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I thought the food was good - just not 9,000+ reviews amazing. The menu felt a little bit limited although I give credit if a restaurant chooses to excel at a few dishes rather than end up mediocre with dozens. I tried the ribless dinner and added bbq pork to it. The pork was really tasty and had me wanting more which was surprising since it was such a minor part of the menu. Merely listed as an add-on rather than having a meal built around it besides the sandwiches. The ribs were a bit strong with the pepper, and needed to be coated with extra sauce in order to feel complete. On their own they were too dry, and I generally try to find bbq that can stand on its own with extra sauce only needed as a preference. As for the sides their onion rings are massive; the potato salad was tasty, but a bit heavy handed with the mayo, and from what I saw the beans looked to be good although I didn't try them myself. This is definitely on the better end of bbq I have been able to find in Southern California, but there were areas of improvement for sure. Still I would recommend it as a good family place for people to share and enjoy a meal that will have you leaving with a case of the itis.
(3)
Marsha B.

Haven't been in awhile. This place rocks for bbq. Have never found better ! Maybe down south but not willing to go there for anything. So in San Diego phils bbq is the bomb.
(5)
JAMES T.

Love it always have great food 100% happy with service and food. Just know there is a long line there so go early no line..
(5)
Melissa S.

This place has good bbq. I have been here twice and both times had the baby back ribs. The bbq sauce is really good. It's like a mix of the sweet and vinegar sauce together. I tried the beef ribs for the first time and they were the best I have ever had. I was in bbq heaven. So much meat on them and cooked perfectly. The macaroni salad is good and the potato salad was ok cause the pieces of potato were kinda hard. A great bbq place to eat at.
(4)
Angela T.

Everyone raves about this place but honestly being from the South this is just ok. The sauce is underwhelming. The sides had little flavor or seasoning. My family and I went there when we first came to town and never returned.
(2)
Joel E.

Love the food and atmosphere! Best BBQ in SoCal!
(5)
R P.

Okay, this is one of the best places I had for BBQ. The El Toro is really is delicious, the colossal onion rings are to die for, everything so far is amazing
(5)
G J.

This restaurant is a well oiled machine! Quality food and efficient service! There's usually a line but don't let that scare you away because it moves fast. I'm a fan of the pulled pork sandwich, which is always over flowing with meat and the fries are delicious!
(5)
Sarah S.

I can't say enough good things about this joint. We're here on vacation and ventured to this place due to great Yelp reviews. We have 2 small children, so we blended in well to the loud environment. I am not a big rib person but I could eat these pork ribs all day long. The sauce is unique and Amazing!!!!! The line to get in is very long, but moved pretty fast. If I would've known the line was so long, I wouldn't have gone.....but I would've been missing out. This is not just a good rib place. It's the BEST I've ever had. You need to go to this place at least once. It's worth the wait.
(5)
Bob B.

Say what you want about Phil's (and people say a lot) this is darn good food. The food quality is consistent and the staff are all friendly and helpful. Don't compare this to any other BBQ. There are too many types of BBQ in the world to compare this place or any other. If you go here and enjoy your experience, then come back. If not, then don't. Give it a try and unless you have no taste buds or you've had your head too deep into your smoker, you'll enjoy Phil's. I do every time. I'm not saying this is the BEST in San Diego, I'm saying it's good, very good.
(4)
Kenny N.

Cheap! The line looked like it would probably be 40 minutes - 1 hour on the Saturday evening of graduation. We just ordered to go and there was no line, food was still, though the fries weren't as fresh. Macaroni salad was good, and I got a half rack of baby back ribs. Very filling and doesn't cost that much compared to chains like Applebees or Chili's (Dare I compare Phil's to those..). My dad is a huge fan of ribs so maybe I can take him here on time... but I live in norcal. The ribs fell right off the bone and tasted delicious.
(5)
Nancy B.

5 stars what more do you need to know!!!
(5)
Delia C.

I love this place. Their food is awesome and delicious, but pricey. It also takes a long time to get food when you get takeout.
(4)
Michael L.

The Broham is the best BBQ sandwich ever.
(5)
E T.

A San Diego must! Fun staff, full of personality, amazing BBQ. Good place to take loud kids! Long lines every time. Wraps around the walkway to enter restaurant. Worth it. Good prices.
(5)
Haun M.

Every time my fiance and I visit San Diego, we find a way to come to this place. Come to think of it, we may have planned around a trip just to come here! The ribs are quite frankly the best I've ever had. You can just breathe and the meat will fall off the bone. The fries are amazing, and has a similar taste to the fries you would come across at In n Out. Onion rings are large and crispy. Chicken-just as moist as the ribs. The only caveat about this place is not offering any mac n cheese. I'm not a huge fan of them, but my fiance is. Still, this place gets 5 stars
(5)
Nikki B.

I love Phil's BBQ! A trip to San Diego is not complete without eating at this restaurant! It's worth the long wait! I love their baby back ribs and beef ribs! It's sooo delicious! I'm not too crazy about their sides like the potato salad, macaroni salad or fries but the onion rings are amazing!!!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mike J.

Tasty local BBQ. Long lines, but they usually move pretty quick when I have been there. Now they are open Mondays, so that's a plus. You can get some of their sauce to go in bottles and BBQ at home too. If you bring kids, make sure they are wearing old clothes. Going to get messy!
(5)
Gloria O.

If you love sweet barbeque ribs, this is the place in San Diego to get them! Absolutely fantastic falling off the bone ribs! So you can stand in a very long line to wait with your friends to get a table - which is worth every bit. Or you can sit in the area that's more like a mini bar area. To do this, you just walk past the long line of people and go through and to your LEFT and you sit down and someone will take your order. A whole lot faster this way.
(5)
Nathan B.

This place is good for SD BBQ; however, it can't touch KC BBQ. If in SD and I have a craving for BBQ I will go here but. Like I said I wish it was better. The line is just to long for the quality. I've had the brisket, pulled pork, and a couple others. If you have not gone to one of the main BBQ regions in the U.S. Than this will be good and maybe great.
(3)
Lena W.

Maybe it's because I'm from AZ, but I didn't find the BBQ that good? I really wanted to like it!! Everything was drowning in sauce, which took away from the actual flavor of the meat... The bbq pulled pork almost had a burnt flavor, rather than smoked. The fries were pretty soggy, the coleslaw was flavorless. We decided to order to-go because the line was wrapped around the corner. I probably wouldn't come back :(
(3)
Marvin M.

Always good food and decent prices (for California)
(5)
Emanuel G.

Best BBQ ever, I live in LA and anytime I'm in San Diego this is my spot to eat, cold beer and great food what else could you want.
(5)
Ted M.

consistently great BBQ since I've been going there now 20 years.
(5)
Michael G.

What can I say? It's hands down the best BBQ in southern California. Pricey but worth it. Skip the chain BS places and pony up for real ribs. No they don't use horses that's an expression.
(5)
Sal G.

Best Place to get some ribs. I cannot find a place as good as Phils is. There is a large portions, large prices, and long waits, but its worth it. A must visit for any rib lover!
(5)
Andrew C.

always good. nothing more to say
(5)
A C.

Definite phils bbq fan. We don't get to go very often, but would never pass it up if we had the chance. Very popular and typically a line can be found wrapping around half the side of the building. For a very busy place like phils, I recommed going in either for brunch or for "linner" where there are far less people. Love the rib tickler and the el torro!
(4)
Martin H.

I don't get it. The food is just good, not great, but it is NOT, I repeat, NOT REAL BBQ!! Real BBQ is SMOKED. There is not a smoker in sight. The food is GRILLED just like you can do at home. If you don't ask for the ribs well done they come out grey and boiled-looking. Inconsistent quality, very fatty meat. BBQ sauce is way too sweet. Don't get me wrong, I've eaten there many times and will do so again, just know that you're not getting real BBQ.
(3)
Marc K.

Food is great but the seating process is a bit of a mess. They will definitely help you get a seat but if your food comes before you get a seat... good luck. So they lose points because finding a seat can be a bit stressful, but I guess I get it, they are trying to churn as many people thru there as possible. And if you are sitting before you order, that reduces churn. Good for them, but not so good for my experience. Also the wait staff is completely hit or miss. Some people are on it and give better service than many full service restaurants. Others you wonder if they even have anyone who is there to help you. I learned they pool tips with the cashiers and so that could be why you have people at both extremes.
(4)
Brian Z.

Sauce was delicious, they did not skimp on the fries. But the new sausage sandwich could use a little more spices in it, the coleslaw was a little over powering along with the cheese... But overall experience was amazing, employees were super nice, was my first time here so they gave me a quick easy walk through. I would definitely come back When I'm back in San Diego
(4)
Xavier E.

so far, this is the best barbeque place i've tried here in san diego.
(4)
Berna T.

When in San Diego... I must have been to Phil's every single time I've been to SD. 100% worth it and its a bang for your buck! If you go before 5PM, you won't have to wait long. Dinner hours have a ridiculous line, I almost waited around 2 hours to order and get situated. The to-go line never has a wait, but usually I just eat at the restaurant. I've had a good amount of their BBQ, I loved the beef rib the most. This is definitely up to preference, whether you prefer beef or pork, but the BBQ sauce is what does it justice. Both ribs are tender and pull-off-the bone worthy. Their french fries are double crisp and can't go wrong with any of their sides. To this day, the only thing that I really never liked was their chicken. Every time I got the chicken, it was dry and disappointing. If you're not too hungry, they have "ticklers" which is a smaller version of their plates! Best deal there! Will be back! :)
(5)
Mary R.

I'll keep it short and sweet. The wait and long lines suck, but its well worth the wait!
(5)
John F.

Well my first visit to Phil's! WOW what a treat the food & service is outstanding! My only complaint is the wait, be prepared to be on line for at least 1 hour. Sad but true, as good as it is Ii can't wait that long again, I pick a slower night.... Hope there is one
(5)
Angie M.

The best barbecue place I've ever been! I love their food! My fiancÃ© and I come here often when we get the cravings. The one in Santee is a little less busy than this one, but food is amazing. I always get the chickless dinner and my fiancÃ© always gets the beefy rib and chickless dinner, we get a small onion rings to share.. Everytime we leave satisfied with leftovers and full bellies (:
(5)
Loren W.

Gone down hill. We have always loved phils. My husband & I went for lunch. We both ordered the baby back ribs. They were dry and over cooked. The fries and baked beans were cold. I ordered cheese for my baked potato. They gave me a slice of Kraft American cheese. We are over our Phil's craving.
(2)
Ryan H.

Skip the beef ribs, the pork is great.
(4)
Mario M.

Yet another review of this place. I was in San Diego recently, and had to try it while I was there. I tried the beefy ribs, baby back ribs, onion rings, macaroni salad, potato salad, and cole slaw. It was good, but I wouldn't say great. They really burn the meat and slather a little too much sauce on it so you won't notice. I realized this when I ate the leftovers the next day. When I was there I was so hungry after waiting I chomped down and didn't notice. If you've ever eaten BBQ in Texas or southern states, you'll know there is much better BBQ out there. We Californians are blissfully ignorant on BBQ. Beefy ribs: A must-get if you come here Baby back ribs: They were pretty good, but similar to other places I've been to Onion rings: Quite good. I recommend you get these Macaroni Salad: Get this as a side dish as well, quite good. Potato salad: It was ok, but I would not get it again. Potato chunks were too large IMO. Cole slaw: It was ok; and I would get it again. I ordered way too much food for a couple people. If I go back (which would only be if I was with a group that is going), I'd just get Beefy ribs, onion rings, and macaroni salad.
(3)
Mike B.

The food is great, but the service is slow and the lines are CRAZY. So many people trying to eat especially at lunch.
(3)
Arely C.

Read reviews online about how good this place was and its long lines so got there early at 10:00am for father's day and was second group in line. By the time they opened line was wrapped around building and by the time we finished eating the line was still wrapped around the building. They have 2 lines one for take out and one for dining in both lines get long. BBQ is delicious and portions are big! Loved the chicken, it was not dry and had a good smokey taste to it. The mac and potato salad were really good. Ribs were good as well. The fries tasted fresh cut and had good taste as I didn't need to use ketchup. The onion rings were amazing and huge. Sausage link was tasty.
(5)
Jennifer S.

I got the ribs and onion ribs, both extremely tasty. Lost 1 star because of how the wait is and the it's a little pricey.
(4)
Katie M.

Best BBQ in San Diego downtown and Point Loma area. Ribs are amazing. Don't like the cow ribs though I am a baby back fan. Pulled pork and tri tip is great too. Sauce is pretty good but the bbq sauce isn't very organic or natural. Definitely got to go here if you like bbq and coming to San Diego. P.S. great atmosphere but warning massive line out the door
(4)
Terri P.

Oh my this was well worth the wait!!!! Very nice crowd and staff. I am from the Midwest living in Cali 20+ years; this is the best BBQ since back home. We tried to order enough for breakfast! Organized a good flow with the crowd size. The prices afford all budgets a good experience. I was concerned it wouldn't be diverse; no worries. Everyone was welcomed and the crowd was very diverse. I would recommend to anyone. Can they ship to me Ha Ha
(5)
Jake T.

Top notch ribs joint throwing down big racks of ribs. Big sides. With everything full of flavor. I went on a Monday around 7:30pm and there was a line of a hundred people waiting to order. We decided to stay and Sit in the bar area. The service is fast. With a team attitude to take care of you. They have ballast point sculpin on draft tasting super fresh (I can always tell a fresh keg w/ clean lines bc I drink it ALL THE TIME). With a few other CA hoppy beers to choose from. And the typical mainstream light beer as well. Including Coors Lt and Sapporo. I ordered the full rack of Baby Back Ribs Dinner with sides of Mac salad & Coleslaw. And split a large fry with my buddy. The rack was beast mode. Cooked tender with meat falling off the bone. Topped with a generous layer of BBQ sauce - tho not too much - still letting you taste the quality of meat. Best ribs i've ever eaten. It's was a special experience. TIP: Be sure to check the Line Cam on the website beforehand. So you know what kind of wait you're in for.
(5)
Gloria L.

I don't get it. We went to Phil's BBQ because our grandson wanted ribs. After standing in a ridiculously long line, I thought we were in for a real treat. Not so much. The food is just OK, the ambience is noisy and uninviting, and the prices will never qualify as a bargain. This is what happens when you turn a nice little BBQ joint into a BBQ factory. In fact, I can think of a couple of nice homey little family places where both the food and the atmosphere are better. We won't be going back.
(3)
Stephen 'the U-canman' U.

This a fantastic place to get away for true barbeque lovers. Great food!!!
(4)
Harris B.

Superb food. You will find none better. Why only four stars? Ridiculously long lines (20-45 minutes) at their main restaurant in Point Loma (I have not been to the other locations in SD County). Restaurant is often crowded and the ambiance is very loud. They are a victim of their own success. But top notch BBQ.
(4)
Karla A.

Phil's is hands down the best place to ribs, chicken, anything & everything really!
(5)
David V.

The best bbq you could get in San Diego, perhaps California too. I've been to both of their locations and both are excellent!
(5)
Jonathan C.

Not the best BBQ I've ever had, but one of the best BBQ experiences you're likely to have in San Diego. The wait to get in is often very long, so we only go here on special occasions and when there are no impatient kids in tow.
(5)
Geoff P.

simply put ... the best !!!
(5)
Eunyoung C.

My friend and I decided to check out Phil's BBQ while we were visiting San Diego as it was highly recommended to us. We saw a line as soon as we got there (around 6pm on a Friday) but it said the wait time thereafter was going to be a little over 20 mins so we stayed. We ended up waiting an hour until we got to order our food. Good thing they had a giant menu board that we could see while waiting with a plenty of time to decide what we wanted. Interesting thing was you order at the counter and then find your own table. Luckily a small booth became available for us right away but I wonder if that'd be the case every time as that place was packed. Also another question we had was what if you want to order additional food? Would you have to go back to the end of the line, which only grew longer as we were eating? Fortunately for us we didn't want anything more so we didn't have to find out but the question remains. Food wise, we ordered Baby Back Rib and Chicken Dinner ("The Best of Both"), BBQ Broham sandwich (pulled pork) and small size Colossal Onion Rings. The sauce was amazing and the meat tender. The batter for the onion rings was on the harder side beyond crispy. It sure was colossal, that's for sure. Overall it was pretty good but it wasn't super exceptional for an hour wait.
(4)
leslie c.

food was REALLY good but the waitress, Jess was so rude & such a SHITTY ASS waitress. she rolled her eyes when we tried to order & walked away before we finished ordering our food... then we asked her for her name & gave us another workers name, Maxine who wasn't even working there that night. Jess shouldn't be working here.
(3)
Rudy B.

This place was amazing. We saw the line and we're terrified it was gonna take forever but it was less than 30mins. Fro. That moment on, everyone on staff was at their best. It was fantastic. Noe was the mvp bro was on his game and friendly as f**k. You come from for the food and you stay for the great service. Bad service can ruin your meal. Good service can make your meal magical. Thanks Noe!
(5)
Charlies G.

Great place
(5)
Sharon C.

Phil's is hands down the best BBQ in SoCal. Yesterday was actually the 4th time I've been here. A trip down to San Diego is never complete without Phil's! My boyfriend and I came here after we went to SeaWorld at 3pm. To our surprise, the restaurant was actually 2/3 full at an awkward time. This was actually the first time I've ever been to Phil's without having to wait. I've had to wait 30 min-2 hours on previous occasions. I always share the 3 beef rib dinner with 2 sides and it is more than enough for 2 people. I like the beef ribs better than the short ribs because there's more meat and the meat just falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. I got the French fries and potato salad as the sides and both as usual were delicious! I like how they don't drench the meat in sauce and they also give you the option to have the sauce on the side. I also like the sauce because it's not too sour or sweet and complements the meat very well.
(5)
Rachel K.

* BE WARNED: if you do not like your meat suuuuper saucy, ask for the BBQ sauce on the side. Even without the topping sauce the food is flavorful because they grill it with the sauce before pouring more sauce on top as a finish. Hearty food with enormous portions! Something to note is that their French fries are NOT greasy nor salty--the perfect complement to all that sauce and taste. Cole slaw is nice and crunchy. Macaroni is delicious, the potatoes are large and delicious as well. My boyfriend loves mayonnaise based side dishes and appreciated all three. The BEEFY RIB is something to write home about. It's tender and juicy and simply amazing. The chicken is "OK," really not special. If anything the Chicken BREAST is pretty good, if not more unique somewhat. Just go for their beefy ribs, okay. The chicken here is not what you waited over an hour for. Colossal onion rings are INDEED colossal. The batter used is super thick and it makes the rings crunchy as heck. Comes with buttermilk ranch sauce which is so smooth you can't really tell that it's ranch, even. Speaking of which, my boyfriend and I waited in line for about 1 hr and 30 minutes on a Saturday evening. We drove all the way from Fullerton JUST for Phil's. It is a great experience and worth it! TRY IT. Thank you to Roxy who stopped by our table several times to make sure we felt the hospitality. Great experience as always.
(5)
Lou K.

Ate there Tuesday night. Great ribs and chicken with enjoyable sides. Good portions and they move you through quickly. Be patient in line as it moves fast. Best ribs SD has to offer IMP
(4)
Robert D.

This place is worth the hype and wait. It was my first time coming here and it did not disappoint. I got the baby back rib dinner and it was so good. I also ordered there onion rings but I wasn't to fond of them.
(5)
Deanna G.

It's a little wonky if you haven't been here before. And I've never been here before! But I heard from massive mounds of people that the wait is Ridic. And yes it is! I figured I'd be smart and call and order to go. The fella who answered the phone was pretty abrupt and not the friendliest person you should have on the phone, as I could tell it was quite loud in the background and he seemed like he was a tad frustrated. I ordered to go, and asked how long it would be. He told me that the orders are not made until you arrive, which confused me. What's the point of ordering to go if you have to wait again after you arrive? Parking in the complex sucks! You'll be lucky if you find a spot there.. since they share with Red Lobster and a few other small stores. Luckily, they have a few To Go parking spots available.. which were packed as well. Upon entering, you're either cattled into the wait for a table line (which was wrapped around the building) or you're put into the Call in order line. We ended up waiting another 15 minutes just to get to the counter and pay. Which after then, you gotta wait a few more minutes for your order to come out. Needless to say, the hungry belly couldn't wait til we got home. We busted upon the baked beans and potato salad. The baked beans were sweet, but nothing to take home about. The potato salad was much more enjoyable.. but parts of the potatos seemed too hard, as they had the texture of being uncooked a bit. The small servings are indeed small. One person could definitely finish it. So if you're feeding more than 2, get a large side. The baby back ribs are sooo tasty! They fall off the bone and melt right into your mouth. For a whole rack, it fed the 2 of us and we were satisfied that we weren't looking for more food afterwards. Price wise, for approx $21ish after taxes, you can get a whole rack of ribs, and 2 small sides or 1 large side. It definitely filled my craving for BBQ. But that line tho.
(4)
Tracy H.

SUMMARY: The best BBQ I have ever had in my life. There is a reason that line wraps around the building. If waiting in line is going to sour your experience (for us it just makes the anticipation that much more), order by phone and pick it up. You'll be in and out in a jiffy. FOOD: The food is just phenomenal. The ribs fall off the bone. The pulled pork melts in your mouth. The BBQ sauce is so good that the only reason I use napkins is to dry my fingers after licking all the BBQ sauce off of them. There is no way I'm going to waste a drop. And the portions are HUGE. A large of any side will feed four people. Anything less than that, there will be leftovers. In fact, I order their tickler plates and still can't eat it all. ATMOSPHERE and SERVICE: The way this restaurant works is that you wait in line, place and pay for your order and you're given a buzzer. Drinks are self-serve as is finding a table. When your buzzer goes off, you return to the counter to get your food. The staff will periodically check on you during your visit to see if they can get you anything. Other than that, you're on your own. You *WILL* wait in line no matter what time you get there. It's just a fact of Phil's life. (Check out their online wait cams). Everyone knows how awesome this place is. It is WELL worth the wait. During busy times, they even put a bar on the patio so that you can get a drink to make your wait more bearable. They get people in and out as quickly as they can. There are always at least 4-5 registers going and staff circulate throughout the dining area to assist you. Every time my family says, "Your choice - where do you want to eat," they have to put on a qualifier of 'besides Phil's." That isn't because they don't like it (they love it as much as I do), but it's a 3 hour drive they're just not always willing to make. But, whenever we're in San Diego, they know Phil's will be on the agenda.
(5)
Shikha S.

I've tried their ribs, chicken, BBQ sandwich and multiple sides. They're pretty good. A lot of smoky flavor. You can definitely see the smoke ring in the meat and the BBQ sauce is different but good. It's not my absolute favorite but I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. I always suggest the chicken but honestly when I'm hungry, I just don't want to wait in a 4 hour long line. Love me some meat but not a long line...
(4)
Katen R.

Pick it up to-go, much quicker! Annnnnd get sauce on the side, sometimes they dump too much on there, but otherwise awesome foood.
(4)
Steven S.

Great fall off the bone baby back ribs. Real good beef that are huge and actually have a lot of meat on them. Everything here I've had has been good. Good craft beers on tap... which is expected in SD. Portions are large so plan to take some home or share or both. Prices are good for what you get. I could go on but there are thousands of other reviews telling you how great the food is. The line. It's huge. Like massive I wouldn't want to wait in it huge. So I don't. The few times I've been here it's been a party of three or less. So this is what you do. Go in though the side door that leads into the bar area and find yourself some seats in there. You may even need to squeeze in somewhere or politely ask if others can adjust for you. But what you won't have to do is wait in that scary long line. Enjoy.
(5)
Iris K.

First timer with my boyfriend visiting SD from the OC! The wait was expected from all the other reviews and friends telling me, so I didn't mind. It was definitely worth the wait. The staff was very friendly and worked real quick. The food came out real quick and tasted amazing too. I got the half baby-back ribs with pulled pork and large potato salad. My boyfriend got the beef rib and chicken with coleslaw (and added a baked potato). Everything was fantastic! They were even great as leftovers. Would definitely wait around the next time I'm in SD.
(5)
Alexander S.

This place was all the hype made it to be 5 bone plate 2 sides, off the chain!!.. Service was amazing .. The best beef ribs I have ever had.. The smoke and bbq flavor was amazing the beef itself. Wow tender and juicy..
(5)
Howard Y.

This is still my favorite BBQ joints in America. I know it is not slow smoked but either oven/ pressure cook with high heat flash grill over mesquite wood. I've been to this joint a hand full of times and it is alway consistent with flavor quality and texture. The true winner is their BBQ sauce with baby back ribs and beefy ribs with the sides of potato and Mac salad.
(5)
Jose H.

Really long wait and about average BBQ. I did see some Asain ladies posing for pictures with the phill BBQ pig which was pretty cool.
(4)
Lizette H.

How is it possible that fries come under the ribs in your order. Super messy and unprofessional!According to him that's how they have always done it but not true to me. Plus that's not how I see it in yelp! I love the food. Make it right Geez!
(3)
Ivy C.

Hands down, this is the best bbq we've ever had. It's no wonder Phil's was featured on food network and name dropped in several Thrillist and Foodie blog posts as one of the top 10 BBQ restaurants in America. For years my bf and I have searched near and far for BBQ that could top this. Phil has remained our all-time favorite so we flew to San Diego just to eat here on my bday, and brought an extra duffel bag just to fly $150 worth of ribs home with us. Gotta love free carry-ons at Southwest! I think Phil's really stands out because their sauce has the perfect balance of spices, saltiness, and sweetness and their meat quality is always consistent. It always falls off the bone, portions are huge for the price, service is great and even the sides are delicious. Lastly, while there's a long line, it moves quickly and they make it kind of fun with their cameras, big piggy out front, and ice cold beer stand. There's some good craft beer on tap I side too, like Ballast Point, Karl Strauss, Lagunitas and more. Little secret that I'm sharing just because I'm not there often enough to deal with the hour wait - if you go to the bar area it's first come first serve, and not many people realize they can snag a seat there within minutes. You can still order off the complete menu and enjoy the game while you're at it.
(5)
Meagan A.

The line is usually long, but that's because it is pretty good food. The little half plates that come with 2 sides are a really good deal - we got one for our toddler and I left thinking I should have ordered the same thing for myself. I like the patio area at the Santee location and it seems like there is a decent amount of seating out there. One of the bus boys/waiters was super nice and helpful, which is always appreciated. He even gave me to-go cups for our drinks and helped me box everything up. Overall, great BBQ place and kid friendly!
(4)
Jaime H.

San Diego's most famous BBQ place. The food is tremendous. I would highly recommend it, as you will never be disappointed. Order the chicken or the ribs they are both good.
(5)
Michael R.

Really good food. Not the best BBQ I've ever had - but very good. We went shortly after opening to avoid the long lines.
(4)
Karen Y.

Not sure what the big hype is, the food was ok. Definitely not worth waiting in line for.
(3)
Adele Z.

WAO! Not sure I have seen any other restaurant have 4.5 stars with 9K reviews but yah my only purpose in reviewing here is to conform and add 5 stars because it's really that good. Get the ribs, sides, whatever floats your boat, it's most likely not going to disappoint you (and if it does, sorry). Best enjoyed eating in and not take out, but hey, if you want to skip the lines (use the line cams!) then call ahead and pick up in an hour or so, and eat in the luxury of your own home where no one judges you that you have bbq sauce all over your face.
(5)
Mellie P.

We love Phil's! We don't care for lines or crowds, so whenever we want Phil's, we just go ahead and get takeout. It's always delicious. The only thing I don't like is their sides leave a lot to be desired. You'd think BBQ would go hand in hand with mac n cheese, ya? I even showed a friend the menu and she got all excited because her husband loves mac n cheese and she thought she noticed that on there, but I said "nope, that's macaroni salad! I thought I read the same thing first time I went there." (insert Debbie Downer theme here). Aside from that, it's well organized, the waitstaff is friendly, and there are always leftovers. Makes me proud to be a meateater.
(4)
Cassidy R.

We had Phils cater our wedding and it was amazing! They were on time Tara, Brandon and the crew were so friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing just how you get it out of the restaurant! Tara organized and kept in contact with us during the planning of the wedding and was so helpful in adjusting the contract to fit what we needed. We highly recommend their catering services and food there is no better choice for a backyard party!!
(5)
Ryan E.

GREAT food, truly the best bbq I've ever had. TwiqhqfqajkavacafajaahvahajakagafyajajavafaghajavaÂcagajajjahafagajjajacafajakanqfqgjajacahajjabwvwhaÂkabaghsjajavahajkajajajafahkqjqhagakkagahajakjaja
(5)
Zachary S.

You get a lot of food, but this is not barbecue. It is large chunks of meet with sweet, ketchup based sauce. But the meat is tough and not juicy, and the sauce tastes like pure sugar. There has to be better barbecue in SD.
(3)
Marion B.

gross...busy and not worth it.
(2)
Bill K.

If you don't have to wait in line is pretty good, not sure why all the great ratings. Bad location, tough parking, long lines. I guess this is good for San Diego, but very average BBQ for any other place I've been.
(3)
Brittany J.

Was recommended to this place by my boyfriends brother. Normally I wouldn't believe a word he says but WOW!!! He was right on saying that this place has the best baby back ribs. The line was a little long but moved fast an we had our food within 20min. The ribs were crispy on the outside but still fall off the bone tender and the bbq sauce is to die for. MUST TRY!!! If your in the San Diego area
(5)
Royds N.

everything on the menu is delicious, the ribs, Tri tip, chicken, there bbq sauces are amazing, I almost ate my finger
(5)
Stefanie M.

I hired Phil's BBQ to cater a work event last week. The staff was EXCELLENT!!! So friendly, on time, food was awesome... I've got nothing but good things to say! I would hire them again in a heartbeat. Especially because the food was delish!
(5)
Jacqueline B.

Person who took my order put it in wrong but read it back to me correctly. Couldn't fight it because what she rung it up was what came out. Not a fan. Also had a party of 9 with a couple of bigger people in it....was sat at a booth that was meant for 6 when outdoor seating was open.
(2)
Howard S.

There are nearly 9000 reviews for Phil's already, so the chances that someone will read this are slim and none, so I'll keep it short: very disappointing. (Expectations were high, with the word of mouth, long lines, and bazillion reviews) I wouldn't come back, even if there was no line and it was half the price. I came in knowing that this is not slow smoked "real" barbecue - instead, they grill it over mesquite after slathering on their sauce, then sauce it again afterward. Their sauce is more tangy than sweet, with just a little peppery kick - a very bright tasting sauce. We ordered their "beefy" ribs, and a full rack of the baby back ribs, along with some of their colossal onion rings. Everything was a tad dry, with decent flavor from the rub, but as expected with their grilled/not-smoked method, only with a hint of smokiness. The beef ribs shrunk down and curled off of the bone, and the baby backs were tender. The onion rings looked great, but were encased in a heavy batter that actually took more effort to eat/chew than the ribs. For a place that has a billion reviews and a ever-present line around the building, it was just not very good. Anyone who says this is better than, say, Bludso's or even Lucille's(!!!): I don't trust your taste in bbq.
(3)
Csilla L.

We loved, loved, loved having our rehearsal dinner at Phil's BBQ. The pricing and quality of food are amazing and our guests loved it! Also, the Event Center in Point Loma is a nice place inside. The best BBQ in San Diego definitely gave us the best rehearsal dinner experience...and we had some leftovers because they give generous portion sizes that our guests were still enjoying throughout the weekend.
(5)
Amy B.

The hype is dead on. We waited about 30 minutes. A table was easy to find and the food came fast. The manager Aubrey was extremely generous and kind to us as she brought over different samples of meat and sides. They even have a wash station, very cool touch! Next time we're in the area we are certainly going to be stopping by. Thanks for a delicious evening!
(5)
Craig C.

Great BBQ and friendly service.
(5)
Kenny H.

LA guy whom is looking to taste the best BBQ ribs in town. Sorry LA #Bludso's but you suck comparing to this one. #Franklin BBQ in Austin TX is next but so far hands down to Phils #BBQ #1 in my list, tried few others that don't even deserve to be mentioned and I'm pretty sure there are plenty of others but until the day I taste them, I will be the judge for that and so are you. but thats just my opinion. "Prepare for first timer sticker" Here is the list I got from Phil BBQ Baby back ribs 10-12 bones (Pork) Half chicken ALL WHITE Sides Coleslaw Potatoes salad (Rosemary kick flavor) Macaroni salad Drinks Pale Ale beer BBQ sauce in my meet plus 2 extra more for option. #WorthTheWait
(5)
Ralph B.

Amazing by far the best barbecue I've had by far I've been everywhere from Lucile's to famous daves first time here and it definitely live up to the hype awesome food worth the wait in line
(5)
Kenneth P.

Obviously, this place is good and deserves 5 star. Now I can continue to tell you how good it is, like the other 9 thousand reviews. Or I can tell you how to enjoy this place the way I do: 1. Don't eat there. Pre-order over the phone, go and pick it up. The wait for pickup is about 3 hours less than the wait to dine in. What a waste of time to eat there. Go home, turn on a movie/game and eat this deliciousness at home. 2. Skip the beef ribs. Seriously. Why would you eat the beef ribs after you've had the pork ribs. There's a reason why N'Sync sang about "Baby back ribs" not "beef ribs." Pork ribs are always more tender, more fall off the bone, and more delicious. 3. Buy a bottle of the Phil's BBQ sauce. You're gonna' want it. I've added Phil's BBQ sauce to virtually everything I've BBQ'd for the last year, and people trip. Here's the secret: Don't tell them it's Phil's! LOL. Do these three things and people will think you're a BBQ genius-- which you are, now, because I just told you everything you need to know right in three easy steps.
(5)
Jasmine R.

I love coming here and I am never disappointed. The parking can get crazy but try coming earlier in the day! I'm so happy that they're open on Mondays now! Even more reasons to come and enjoy their bbq! If you don't want to be in that long dine in line, go to the bar. You don't have to be 21 to sit and eat there. The bar could be stuffy and you DO have to wait but not as long as the line outside. We probably waited 20 minutes before a seat was open. It's basically seat yourself or wait in a little line inside the bar. When you're waiting in the line at the bar you might be bumpin into the waitresses or guests who are trying to fill their cup at the soda fountain machine, so please don't get in their way and be aware of your surroundings! Their food is always so excellent and never fails me. I love their onion rings, the batter is always so crispy and the onions are always soft inside. I even bring these home for leftovers and I just reheat them in the oven and they're even more crispy and delicious! The baby back ribs are out of this world. This is the best bbq I've ever had in my life. I love the Mac salad also, the sauce isn't over powering and the beans are so delicious and tasty! I actually got my order wrong and the waitress ordered fries instead of my beans but she quickly realized it was her fault and got my beans ASAP, and didn't charge me for the extra fries. The bar is not as roomy as the inside seating or patio but if you don't mind then might as well sit there and beat the line!! Phils bbq never fails to fulfill my cravings.
(5)
Kyle L.

hands down this place is fucking delicious. I'm from the LA area so the most mainstream and popular BBQ place is Lucille's Smokehouse. Phil's has its own unique taste to it compared to Lucille's, and the prices at Phil's are definitely a lot more reasonable. Yes, the line will most likely suck ass but the meat is definitely worth it. Meat on the ribs literally fall off the bone and into your mouth, the sauce is ridiculously delicious. All their meat is so flavorful and just insanely tender/juicy. If I lived in San Diego I would be an instant regular. No doubt, every time I go down to San Diego i will be eating dinner at Phil's. Service is also really good, people are hard working and they really want you to have a good experience. Keep up the great work Phil's!
(5)
Sarah K.

So good! I recommend the ribs, they were delicious. We received amazing customer service from Louis. Great atmosphere and reasonable prices!
(5)
Danny L.

I get why everyone will wait hours in line for this. I came around 3pm on the past Memorial Day weekend. The line still stretched past the vicinity of the restaurant. From arrival to getting the food, it took a good 3 hours. Good thing I ate a little before coming, or else I would have got hAngry. I ordered a full rack of the baby back ribs with a side of fries and macaroni salad. The sides were decent, nothing to complain about. The ribs was what won me over. There was plenty of meat on each of the ribs and it just fell off the bones. Smother that with their BBQ sauce = I am in heaven. I was able to try my friend's tri-tip sandwich and was kind of disappointed. It was good, but not as good as Firestone Grill's tri-tip up at San Luis Obisbo.
(5)
Mary B.

Awesome....always! My only problem....it is so good there is usually a line to stand it to get into the BBQ! Once you smell it....you are anxious to get in and eat!
(5)
Laura R.

I ordered half a rack of ribs with pulled pork, amazing. Awesome service and staff. Will definitely be back.
(5)
RODNEY D.

Hands down best BBQ I have ever had!!! The baby back ribs are to die for!!! I am not really a fan of the beef ribs but most of my friends that are non-pork eaters speak very highly of them. Pork Rib fall off the bone cause of how tender they are!!! The BBQ sauce is on point!!!
(5)
Gabriel S.

Baby Back Ribs were juicy and tender. I don't always eat such decadent food, but when I do, I love to come here. You'll never leave here hungry. Portions are huge. Prices are also really reasonable. And they have a lot of options for sides. And the service is good, to boot!
(4)
Grace C.

Another overhyped place I JUST don't understand the hype of. It's good, not great. Definitely not worth standing in line more than 15-20 min for. And seriously not worth driving out of your way for. If you see the line past the halfway point from the front door to the corner of the restaurant, walk away! If you've stayed in line to try this place out... Order at the counter then wait to be seated by one of the employees. Seriously, don't try to find your own table! I saw someone get reprimanded for sitting down at a table without being give permission to sit there. We tried the beef and pork ribs along with some tri tip. And for sides, we had the fries, baked beans, and baked potato. Beef ribs-- 4* These were very meaty (as they should be) and tender, but not special in any way. Slightly better than average, but not worth going gaga over. Pork ribs-- 3* Really people? Maybe Cali peeps really don't know good BBQ. So sad. I've even had better in OC at hole in the wall places in questionable neighborhoods. If this is good BBQ, I'm over it. Guess I won't need to travel to the south to try it. Tri-tip-- 1* WTF?! Just wtf, seriously! Never again. Ick. Sides were all whatever, but do note that the "cheese" they put on their baked potatoes are the nasty nacho cheesy kind. Yuck! Tip: the BBQ sauce served here is the tangy kind. If you don't like this type of BBQ sauce, I suggest you ask for it on the side :)
(3)
Sandman S.

The best. The service is helpful & real. The food is delicious. Convenient locations around the county, for everyone to enjoy, unless you're a hermit, because this place is popular & always busy
(5)
Jack F.

I wanted to eat like a fat mess; Phil's BBQ delivered. One of the better BBQ places you'll eat. Got the brisket sandwich and the giant onion rings. Did not regret it. Huge interior, as well.
(5)
Martha E.

Always delivers! Better to call in your order and take it to go, though. Line is too much of a wait, especially when you have hungry kids.
(4)
Scot J.

Phils BBQ is second to no other BBQ place in Southern California. Not just the addictive, melt in your mouth BBQ'd food, but the incredible wait staff as well as the awesome atmosphere. I'll be a frequent customer of Phils for as long as I live here.
(5)
Dunnia B.

I love this place but after waiting the longest to go line I was told that I have to go back to my car to get my ID because they only run cards as credit cards (even Debit cards) and they have check ID. Who does that and why? Can I at least get a warning that I have to bring my ID because other ways I won't be able to pay for my dinner!!!!!!??? So stupid
(3)
Stvn M.

Love it, love it, love it!!! The Ribs can't be beat in San Diego. (I'm fm Memphis) and the brougham....make U smack yo Mama lol Great place. Great guy. Steven @ DiscoveryTransportation.â€¦
(5)
Joanne C.

Heavenly Deliciousness
(5)
Joanna L.

Yummy food! i work in a warehouse next to one and I can smell through the whole day. Such a tease!!!
(4)
Tricia D.

All of this hullaballoo for mediocre barbeque. If you have ever had good barbeque, don't go here expecting that. The babyback ribs were decent but the chicken, (how can you mess up chicken?) was unseasoned and blah. Not worth the fuss.
(2)
Jimrock J.

I go here. sometimes. the fries are really good with .. ranch.. mm ..
(4)
Megan S.

We had our rehearsal dinner at their event center and cannot believe how awesome the food and service ended up being! We live in Las Vegas so everything was done via email, we were a little nervous to not see the place first but it all ended up working out better than we could have imagined. The food was delicious, everyone was raving about it. The service was incredible, we didn't have to worry about a single thing. We definitely would suggest them to anyone looking for good bbq or a place to hold an event!
(5)
Tim L.

Phil's is great BBQ and I have eaten BBQ in many, many states. Broham and El Toro is my jam, but I know people also go nuts for the ribs. They are great and the long lines are a good sign people... Yes, waiting sucks, but people are willing to wait because it tastes delicious. If you are a fan of BBQ, I doubt you will be disappointed.
(5)
Vic C.

Phil's BBQ is located in the same plaza as Olive Garden with plenty of parking. The way this restaurant works is that you line up and make your order at the counter. After you make an order, you can sit yourself. Please be aware of the area designated specifically for large groups (a group of 6 or more people). If you wish to make a take out order, there is a separate line for that (much shorter than dine in). And with that knowledge, here is my review: My husband and I came by this restaurant last Sunday shortly before 11 am. There of course was already a line forming and I read in one of the previous Yelp reviews that you want to come closer to opening time (11 am) to avoid a long wait time (which I highly recommend as well). After only waiting about 20 minutes, we were finally at the counter, ready to make our order. By the way, if this is your first time coming here, you are given a sticker with a cute little cartoon pig on it that says Phil's BBQ. At the counter, we ordered: Large Spring Mix Salad ($4.95 prior to tax) with added Seasoned Grilled Chicken ($3 prior to tax)- I know salad is probably the last thing anyone would want to order at a barbecue place, but I am quite health conscious and want to make sure I eat clean, even on vacation. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the large size that I ordered was a good portion for sharing, especially at such a cheap price. I liked that salad was also made with the dark green leafys. The chicken I had added to my salad was moist and flavorful. For around $8 (prior to tax), this is definitely a good price for a delicious meal. Baby Back Rib & Chicken Dinner ($12.95 prior to tax)- This meal comes with your choice of 2 small sides or 1 large side. We decided to get the sweet baked beans and the fresh cole slaw. The baby back ribs were juicy and tender. The barbecue sauce was really good (which we asked for on the side. If you do not request for the sauce to be on the side, your food will automatically will be drenched in it... which isn't a bad thing, but just messier). The barbecue sauce is on the sweet side and not too tangy/ vinegar like, which is what I prefer in barbecue sauce. The chicken was really good as well, same as the ribs, being tender and juicy. I really liked the baked beans and the cole slaw. The beans had a nice sweetness. The cole slaw had a nice crunch and light dressing to it. This meal is enough for more than 1 person, maybe 1.5 person (?), which is prefect for sharing. --------------------------------- (Total= $24.89 after tax) After having my first taste of this restaurant, I can see why this place is so crowded. The food was excellent and exceeded my expectations. The price is actually pretty cheap for barbecue as well. I will definitely make sure to come back here again on my next San Diego visit. By the way, I just wanted to praise Louise, who checked up on us during our meal, was amazing. He was friendly, took away our dirty dishes and make sure we were okay. He was always in such a positive mood as he was also assisting other customers as well.
(5)
Philip G.

If you like long lines and average barbeque this place is for you! I have been several times and the food is ok but not amazing. It is the best barbeque in San Diego so there is a plus for that. However, if Phils was located in the midwest or the south, they would have gone under a long time ago.
(3)
Lauren S.

I hate to do this .. but I got food poisoning from Phil's BBQ on 5/17/2015. I had dinner around 7:30PM/8PM that night, ordered the rib dinner with a side of beans and macaroni salad. I had no alcoholic beverages, just water with lemon. Went to sleep around 11:30PM. Woke up at midnight feeling like I was about to give birth .. seriously. I was having muscle spasms in my abs that were extremely painful .. it was a pain I have never experienced. It literally felt like someone was squeezing my stomach from the inside. The extreme spasms lasted for 12 hours, and continued less frequently throughout the week. I seriously thought something was wrong with me and that I was going to die! Sorry to be a drama queen, but it really was THAT physically miserable. And, sorry to be disgusting, but everything I ate at Phil's BBQ was vomited out. For the remainder of the week I could not eat anything without my stomach wanting to vomit. I was out of commission for a week, I had to miss work and use up my PTO. I did go to Urgent Care, and they confirmed I had severe food poisoning. Safe to say I am not going back to Phil's BBQ .. nor will I be eating any kind of BBQ for quite a while. :(
(1)
Tran T.

Most tasty BBQ around SD. It has more smoke and moist flavor than everyone else. Not a fan of long waiting line and the noise when come up to order. So Avoid friday night and weekend. Beef rib is the only way to go for. Pork is ok not too special to talk about. Go for the beef rib. Their sides is so so not like impressive. I would go for coleslaw or fries.
(4)
Cecil L.

bomb ribs, bbq chicken sandwhich is on point.13$ pitchers to wash it down.
(5)
Debbie C.

This place was highly recommended by my cousins. We visited the SD area this past weekend and this place didn't disappoint. Despite the long line, it was expected that this place raves! I had to give the Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs a shot and also their Onion Rings. The meat and flavor slipped off the bone like nothing and it tasted so damn good! I was hoping they had mashed potatoes but their potato salad and macaroni salad were good as well. I can't forget about their sweet beans! OMG! Soooooo delicious! I would definitely come back if I'm ever in the area again. If you are BIG on BBQ, I would def recommend you try this place out! Thanks Phil's BBQ!
(5)
S D.

Had the pulled pork sandwich tonight at the Padres game. It was just as delicious as eating it at Phil's. I'm not a huge fan of coleslaw but had no problem finishing theirs. They also provided excellent service and heaping portions. Special thanks to Elwind!
(5)
Shelley W.

I'm not an American BBQ fan but that was some tasty meat! The meat slipped right off the bone when I bit into it without leaving any pieces behind. I think that was the best American BBQ that I had. The sauce was perfect! And it's quite convenient that they give a roll of paper towel and sinks are outside the restrooms so we don't end up touching the doors with our messy hands.
(5)
Ahsan G.

Loved the place a bit crouded on saturday sundays
(5)
Richi K.

My goodness didnt believe until i saw the long lines myself. Instead of eating in, had my order togo which was uber faster. The price and quantity was amazing but thought the flavor was too intense and took over the taste of the beef rib. Overall a great experience and glad i tried it
(4)
Melinda G.

Quick service. Good food. Reasonable prices! I was initially overwhelmed because the line was literally out the door and around the corner. Surprisingly, we got to the front in about 20 minutesn which I feel is a normal wait time at a resturaunt during rush hour. I really enjoyed their chicken. I was not too impressed by thier potato salad.
(4)
Steven D.

I am always a little skeptical about places with so many reviews. My worries were quickly subdued when I tasted the delicious quality of the food. I am a picky bbq eater but this place is delicious. The rub for their ribs is amazing and the flavor of smoke is perfect. The only downside is they don't do brisket... It's a shame because I'm sure they would do it great. I had the ribs, chicken and pulled pork with BBQ beans and coleslaw. All of it was delicious... I highly recommend.
(5)
Matthew H.

A review is not necessary. This is the best BBQ in San Diego. Go see for yourself!!
(5)
Derek T.

Phil's bbq is one of the better bbq out there, big portions, big place, big wait. Fortunately, we only had to wait about 45 minutes before being seated whereas I've heard of people waiting 2 hours for seating. Between the baby back and beefy ribs I definitely loved the beefy ribs more. They're larger, meatier, and more flavorful. The sides are decent but honestly the main attraction are their ribs although their beer battered onion rings were amazing. I'm pretty sure every other review has already mentioned how great and savory this place is so I'll save you a read by ending my review with some random comment like: save the plants and eat a steak instead!
(4)
Richie A.

The Standard of BBQ You either love Phil's or you don't like BBQ Are there better ? . . . yes, is this what you compare all others too - yes it is Portions are good - if you leave hungry - you failed
(5)

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Address : 3750 Sports Arena Blvd
San Diego, CA, 92110
Phone (619) 226-6333
Website https://www.philsbbq.net
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
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 : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Tue, Wed, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Phil’s BBQ

3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA, 92110

Phil’s BBQ Menu

Baby Back Rib Dinners

Baby Back Ribs Only

Beefy Rib Dinners

Beefy Ribs Only

Phil's Ticklers

BBQ Chicken Dinners

BBQ Chicken Only

The Best of Both

Salads

Sandwiches

Colossal Onion Rings

Small Serving

Large Serving

Healthy Meal suggestions for Phil’s BBQ

Baby Back Rib Dinners

Baby Back Ribs Only

Beefy Rib Dinners

Beefy Ribs Only

Phil's Ticklers

BBQ Chicken Dinners

BBQ Chicken Only

The Best of Both

Salads

Sandwiches

Colossal Onion Rings

Small Serving

Large Serving

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Tyler N.

L. W.

Mireya R.

katie b.

S C.

Amanda C.

Susanna M.

L S.

Kris S.

Abbe W.

John G.

Anna Y.