Welcome to Phil's BBQ San Diego
Phil's BBQ San Diego is a beloved gem nestled in the heart of the city, offering a quintessential BBQ experience. Established with a passion for flavor, this restaurant specializes in mouthwatering baby back ribs, savory beef ribs, and various delectable sides. Guests rave about the tender meats that fall effortlessly off the bone, paired seamlessly with their signature BBQ sauces that strike a perfect balance between sweet and spicy. The vibrant atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for sports enthusiasts and families alike. Phil's BBQ is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and culinary tradition in a warm, inviting setting.
- 17051 W Bernardo Dr, San Diego, CA 92127 Hotline: (858) 312-6161
Welcome to Phil's BBQ San Diego, a treasured gem nestled in the heart of San Diego, California. Located at 17051 W Bernardo Dr, this establishment has earned its reputation as a lively sports bar serving up New American cuisine with an emphasis on delectable barbecue. At Phil's BBQ, it's not just about the food; it's about the entire experience of culinary delight.
When you step through the door, prepare yourself for a feast, especially if you're a fan of ribs. The menu highlights include:
- Baby Back Rib Dinners: Choose from quarter, half, or full dinners that come paired with your choice of sides.
- Beefy Rib Dinner: Featuring three glorious beef ribs, perfect for those who crave a rich meaty flavor.
- Fully Baby Back Ribs: Available as a standalone option for those who want to indulge without sides.
There's a palpable buzz in the air as patrons gather to watch their favorite games on the large screens, adding to the festive ambiance that Phil's BBQ radiates. Customer reviews echo this sentiment. For instance, Amir L. candidly shared his initial disappointment with portion sizes but was soon reassured by the fulfilling nature of the beef ribs he tried later. It's clear that Phil's BBQ has a way of turning first impressions into fond memories.
Andy P. raved about their fish fry, claiming it should be a staple on the menu. The crispy, moist fillet showcases the kitchen's diverse talents, proving that there’s more to enjoy than just barbecue. Meanwhile, Nina R. highlighted the “glorious” onion rings, which have garnered a following of their own. This speaks volumes about Phil's dedication to quality and deliciousness across its entire menu.
For a family-friendly outing, Phil's allows guests to bring their loved ones together over hearty meals. Caleb T. reminisced about his love for Phil's BBQ, noting the tender meat that simply falls off the bone, paired with the indulgent mac salad and crispy onion rings. Foods that evoke nostalgia, alongside fantastic service, keep visitors coming back for more, as evidenced by Carlan M.'s experience, where an attentive staff enhanced the dining atmosphere.
As a destination that combines excellent food with a vibrant setting, Phil's BBQ San Diego captures the spirit of the city. Whether you're there for a casual night out with friends, a family gathering, or to catch the game with a side of mouthwatering ribs, this restaurant delights diners with every bite. Don’t miss the chance to discover your new favorite BBQ joint—where every meal is a celebration of flavor!

I had recent bad experience here with the portion sizes. Idk what was going on that night but the ribs were tiny. I went back and got a few beefy rib dinners and all the rib sizes looked normal again. Very filling and juicy like normal. Not sure what was going on that night but next time the ribs don't look good I will say something then and there. Mac salad still my favorite side of all time

Went yesterday for the fish fry and damn, fish should be on the menu everyday! Huge thin fillet of fish with a crispy bread crumb crust. It was so flavorful and moist. Not dry at all. The tartar sauce was a perfect dipping sauce. Make this a regular please!!! ...and the michelada's go perfectly with it.

Great food, excellent service and a great selection of beer! How did we not find this winner much earlier? Came in to watch the game but stayed much longer. Great ambiance and great place to watch a game. Wonder if they also have English Premier League?

I have a lot of love for Phil's. Ever since COVID took the one in San Marcos away from me, I've missed the ribs and Mac salad, the onion rings and cornbread. And when California Mining Co. popped up in its vacant shell, it just felt like an insult to the memory of greater food now gone. Thankfully, this location is only about 15 minutes down the street on a good day. And when the mood struck, I had to drag my mother and her grandson out for some BBQ. Needless to say, Phil's still holds up no matter where it's located. I had the Beef Rib Tickler, which always felt more grilled to me than fully smoked. But the meat was tender, peeled off the bone clean, and gave the remaining membrane a nice chewy and almost crispy texture along with the pure beefy flavor. I always get extra sauce to dip and put it over the top. The side of Fries were perfect as always, along with the double pair of Onion Rings to make this a great and well-rounded meal. My son had eyes too big for his head and ordered the Three Beef Rib Meal. He was only able to finish one and a half alongside his fries. And I had a great beef sandwich for lunch the next day. My mother got a Pork Rib Tickler, with three baby back ribs. She has the same love for their fries and onion rings as I do. And we took home some of their fantastic Cornbread, as well as a Tri-Tip Sandwich for the wife. Honestly, if Phil's were closer and I could convince my six year old daughter to eat here, I'd probably trek out here two or three times a month. As it is, I'll have to settle for a once in a while trek out for the food I've come to love and trust.

Amazing - absolutely loved Phil's BBQ and I was glad I was able to find seating for all 16 of us in the corner! We ordered the tri tip sandwich and the full rack of ribs for my wife and me, along with Mac salad and Cole slaw. The tri tip sandwich was quite salty! I needed to eat the Mac salad with it due to its saltiness. The ribs were great and went perfectly with their spicy BBQ sauce We also grabbed some of their famous cookies, and they were really good! Mixed white and dark chocolate I believe - try them out!

We all know Phil's meat is the best around. The ribless dinner is a glorious thing to behold and a feast for the taste buds. But the unsung heroes here are the onion rings. They are GLORIOUS. They're so good they put other onion rings to shame. The industrial decor of the restaurant really works. Service is attentive, hard working, and wonderful. You never see staff just standing around. Love this place.

Amazing amazing spot!!! We walked in a busy Sunday night and waited ten mins to be seated. The young man who took our order was patient and welcoming. He expressed that he is new but he seemed to be a pro. We chose our own seats and got a buzzer to be alerted when our order was ready. While seated someone came immediately to check in on us and this continued through the night. Free refills. Now the food: delicious. Best ribs ever had in my Life. Falls off the bones. Loved the sauce. Nice balance between sweet and spicy. The manager came over and checked in. We told her about her amazing staff and she was so modest, polite and kind. Thank you all so very much! Highly recommend

I felt like having some BBQ while down visiting the area. I checked the ratings and found this place to be the best rated around. It has a little tricky entrance off of the freeway, but once there it was easy to get parking. It's a huge place with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. I sat outside and was greeted quickly and got my order in. The beer was refreshing and the BBQ tasty.