Even though the month of May celebrates margaritas, this is also the month for barbecue. Here are a few places to indulge BBQ in celebration of National Barbecue Month.
Uptown Tavern, 1236 University Ave., Hillcrest. (619) 241-2710 or uptowntavernsd.com
Uptown Tavern has BBQ to share with their grilled corn on the cob and hot wings. Channel your inner cowboy with The Western Burger: Karl Strauss Tower Ten BBQ pulled pork piled onto an Angus beef patty and habanero pickles. Not in the mood to share? Check out Uptown’s “Won’t Share Don’t Care” section for The Coastliner—grilled steak, shrimp and polenta fries.
Pillbox Tavern, 117 W Plaza Street, Solana Beach. (858) 436-7016 or pillboxtavern.com
Pillbox Tavern in Solana Beach offers up saucy BBQ wings that are finger lickin’ good! Their wing selection contains 13 different house made sauces, ranging from mild to extra hot. Start off easy with Chef Shelly’s sweet BBQ wings or get crazy with the super-hot Habanero BBQ wings. Satisfy your burger craving with a juicy Pillbox Burger or try a slow roasted Pulled Pork Sandwich tossed in their house BBQ sauce.
Duck Dive, 4650 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach. (858) 273-3825 or theduckdive.com
Grab some barbecue by the beach! Pacific Beach’s The Duck Dive is located just minutes from the water, grilling up a variety of delicious meats nightly for your dining pleasure. Chow down on the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich, char-grilled house made Meatloaf Patty Melt or a slow roasted prime rib.
Union Kitchen & Tap, 1108 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. (760) 230-2337 or localunion101.com
The warehouse style windows at Encinitas’ Union Kitchen & Tap let you breathe in the cool, coastal air while savoring a Filet Mignon or Bone-in Blackened Rib Eye. They focus on sourcing natural, hormone free meats from local farms, cooked to a juicy perfection. Get friendly during their weekly Social Hour and share some smoked wings, KC BBQ Ribs and a local craft beer with that special someone.
West Coast Tavern, 2895 University Ave., North Park. (619) 295-1688 or westcoasttavern.com
Come hungry to North Park’s hip West Coast Tavern! Their BBQ Burger has an Angus beef patty, pulled barbecue pork belly, bacon, slaw and thick cut onion rings for a hearty and flavorful experience. Get classy with Chef Abe’s Specialty Grilled Cabrillo Steak or Pork Belly Mole. Backyard Kitchen and Tap, 832 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. (858) 859-2593 or backyardpb.com
For the ultimate “backyard” barbecue experience stop by Backyard Kitchen and Tap! This casual Pacific Beach eatery serves hot off the barbie dishes nightly, including succulent Pork Ribs, BBQ Jerk Chicken, and their signature Backyard Burger.
Brazen BBQ, 441 Washington St., Hillcrest. (619) 816-1990 or brazenbbq.com
Head out to Hillcrest for “Good Food. No Bull.” The award-winning Brazen BBQ serves barbecue items galore! With specials every night, you can try everything from tender smoked wings and award winning ribs to juicy pulled pork and tri tip sandwiches, all served up with traditional sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad and corn on the cob.
Phil’s BBQ, 3750 Sports Arena Blvd., Point Loma. (619) 226-6333 or philsbbq.net
You can’t put together a BBQ list and not include one of San Diego’s favorite barbecue restaurants located in Point Loma, Phil’s BBQ. They are known for their delicious bbq sauce and their Baby Back Ribs. The food options are limitless. You can enjoy their BBQ chicken, BBQ turkey burger, BBQ cheeseburger, and so much more.
I know there are a few awesome places not on the list, so what are your favorite places in San Diego to grab BBQ?