Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew

    4.5 (922 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew Takeout or Delivery

    Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew Photos

    BUCKBOARD'S BARBECUE & BREW ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    More like Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew

    Recommended Reviews - Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mandy B.

    This place never disappoints when you want barbecue. The service is great, too! It's a family friendly atmosphere with dedicated parking. The price is comparable to other bbq places and the food is delicious and portions are 10/10!

    Best of Buck Platter
    Lin J.

    Came in and tried the Sampler and Mac N Cheese. Everything was delicious. To be honest what stole the show for me was the cornbread and maple butter. I actually went back and ordered more to go. I thought the place was very casual and relaxing. They do have an outdoor space available if you would like as well. This place is right around the corner from home so I couldn't ask for more. Cost wise I felt like it was very reasonable. I'll be back!

    Potato salad and pork belly sliders
    Joy G.

    Well it took me 7 years to come back (no ones fault!) but when I tell you that its just as good as the first time. Im not joking. Service - EXCELLENT Ambiance - nice and clean Food - Oh Em Gee I had the tri tip platter, added sausage and corn bread. I will have leftovers for days. Reasonably priced. I took home some of their smoked jalepeno bbq sauce too. Need to go back again, wont wait 7 years this time

    Baby Back Full* Side Sampler*
    Joshua A.

    I wanted to try out a new BBQ spot and saw this here. Service was amazing, chose what I want, then chose where I wanted to seat. I would love to see how this place is when watching Football is on the TV, seems like a great place to watch it. When I visited this spot it was busy but not too busy to the point it is like typical sports bars. Enough about the vibe, let me get down to the BBQ. BBQ baby back ribs "FULL" rack along with the sampler trio was what was ordered. Choose the BBQ you want and you will not be disappointed. I chose a more sweet bbq then I did like spicy jalapeño and it was great. I could drench as much sauce I wanted to or simply dip it into the BBQ sauce. The trio was good to taste but I think I will be getting coleslaw as the side. There was Texas toast but I may have been distracted due to how good the sauce was on the ribs.

    Brandon M.

    Little hole in the wall but very bomb BBQ and excellent service staff. I recommend the Mac n cheese balls

    Huge slider!
    Vanessa C.

    I only came here one time on Valentine's Day but it was excellent. Went on a date to a comedy show at the Magnolia so we found this place online that had good happy hour deals. You order at the counter which I like and the staff were very friendly and checked on us throughout the meal as well. We each got a beer and they have one of my favorite stouts you don't see everywhere which I appreciated. We shared the wings and sliders and got stuffed. The sliders were so good and they have self serve sauce which was convenient. They also have a washing station next to it which was super helpful! The wings were crispy and moist. Great ranch too! It became very busy as it got later so the people seem to love it. I definitely recommend and would come back to try more BBQ!

    BBQ mix platter
    Esau C.

    What can I say you gotta come and try it it's amazing. Food has a lot of flavor meat is very tender flavor to the max. The service was amazing the staff very welcoming makes you feel right at home it's one of those places where you want to come back. The environment is very chill, good enough to be here with family or even with some friends very friendly environment just became one of my favorite places it's a 10/10 I recommend getting a platter and trying a little bit of everything. Enjoy!

    Outside
    Dan E.

    Tasty Baby Back Ribs and Smoked Sausage Link at Buckboard's in El Cajon, California! I've been meaning to check this place out for sometime and I'm glad I finally made it in. The restaurant is spacious and clean yet somewhat rustic. Very nice patio seating just beyond the side door. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Particularly when calling ahead to make a reservation for our large group. I appreciate that. There is a nice selection of beers on draft that I enjoyed. I started with an order of Mac & Cheese Balls that were decent although somewhat institutional tasting. The green dipping sauce that accompanies is described as a "Pasilla Pepper Dip" which was good, not really spicy. The ribs were very meaty although not tender. I loved the smoked sausage. Their meat thing platters come with "Big Butter Toast" which was a nice touch. I added a side of Tater Salad which was outstanding. Clearly a house-made recipe that was well balanced, moist, flavorful and delicious.

    Tri tip sandwich
    Audrey P.

    My son and I were out Estate saying in El Cajon and got hungry. I opened my trusty Yelp app, started scrolling and found Buckboards. It was approved by my son so off we went. We went into Buckboards and picked out a tri-tip sandwich and onion rings. It was so much food that we had to take half home to eat later. But let me get to the food point. It was delicious fmand the onion rings were incredible. Not much batter. Loved them. Thus place I'd worth a try and a shout out. Their house made BBQ sauce is delicious

    Menu
    Mark C.

    BuckBoards Barbecue Review by Captain 619 Howdy, smoke seekers and meat wranglers! Saddle up and ride on down to BuckBoards Barbecue in El Cajon--a hidden gem tucked away like a coyote's den. Word to the wise: Parkin' here's tougher than a two-dollar steak, so hitch your horse at the nearest post and amble in. I bellied up for the Beef Ribs, and lemme tell ya, partner--bone-lickin' glory! That meat fell off the bone like a rattler sheds its skin, meltin' in my mouth smoother than a tumbleweed in a twister. Smoke so rich, it'd make Phil's Barbecue tip its hat and ride off into the sunset. This ain't your cookie-cutter 'cue--bold, honest flavor that'll rope your taste buds and hogtie 'em for seconds. Five spurs outta five, no contest. The missus lassoed the Bacon Thick Cut Sliders x2--bacon thicker than a bull's neck and slathered in sauces that'll knock your boots off! From tangy to fiery, BuckBoards' sauce roundup's a flavor stampede. Yeehaw! Price? Fairer than a poker game with saints. Vibe? Pure honky-tonk charm with smoke so sweet, you'll wanna bottle it. Final verdict: If you're trail-weary of same-old barbecue, mosey on down to BuckBoards. Just bring your appetite, leave your parkin' woes, and let that smoky magic ride shotgun. Yours in meaty triumphs, Captain 619 - Out where the flavor's wild and the ribs roam free.

    Peach Cobbler*
    Sheridan M.

    Amazing hidden gem in the heart of El Cajon!! We ordered on DoorDash last weekend and it was so good we had to come in person. The staff is so friendly and appreciative of your business I think the best deal is the Best of buck platter. me and my husband split it and it's just enough! Everything's super flavorful and delicious. And make sure to save room for dessert!! :)

    See all

    Photo of Jen K.
    0
    25
    0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nancy S.
    76
    60
    40

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karina M.
    25
    11
    43

    14 hours ago

    Always great service. Our favorite are the Chicken Wings, Steak fries, the Da Bird sandwich.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Fadi S.

    Fadi S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Fadi S.

    Fadi S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Frances G.
    202
    28
    49

    8 days ago

    Fall off the bone tender Baby Back Ribs!!! Def a new find when out in East County. We will be back!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    This used to be a bar. It's a nice woodsy atmosphere. Staff are friendly. Food was ok. Parking can be difficult.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel N.
    9
    171
    33

    17 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Esau C.
    3
    85
    93

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan E.
    119
    288
    8751

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    11 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alicia T.
    33
    71
    53

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joshue T.
    1
    74
    171

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 49
    Thanks 25
    Love this 50
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Valerie M.
    1135
    1625
    4646

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    My go to bbq spot, love the wings too they are huge!! Great location, selection of brews is large.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Food is very good! Staff was very nice and helpful! Clean and taken care of. Bathrooms available to.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John W.
    0
    25
    13

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ari R.
    210
    361
    3616

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 24

    Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew

    Do they sell giftcards and how to purchase?

    We do sell gift cards! Please go to our website at buckboardsbbq.com or call the restaurant at (619) 334-4400. Happy Holidays!

    Is there a happy hour?

    Hi Mon-Fri 2-6PM. BBQ Deals, 8 Beers on Tap, 16 Craft Cans & Handpicked Boutique Wines.… Read more

    Do they have happy hours?

    Hello Tarun, We just started happy hour from 2:30-5:30 Monday thru Friday, not including holidays.… Read more

    Do they take reservations?

    Hello Vicki, We do take reservations for parties of 10 or more. We also have a private dining area… Read more

    Do they offer a children's menu?

    You really don't need one! My kids (3 and 5) loved the various meats from our plates (huge portions) and devoured the Mac and cheese balls! I did learn that they do have more options ready for kids if you have picky eaters, you just need to ask.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Sunny Grove Brewing Company

    Sunny Grove Brewing Company

    4.7
    (50 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    We visited Sunny Grove Brewing Company for the first time on a recent Sunday…read more We arrived around 11:00 AM. The L-shaped bar was about a quarter full. The space is really great. Inside and out on the patio. They have a very nice and large bar top. The place is quite large with an open and airy feel. Definitely cool brewery vibes. The bathroom was really impressive; huge and spotlessly clean. They have a great selection of beers on tap from light to IPA. Stouts, darks - a beer for everybody. Beer only right now. I enjoyed a very tasty Mexican Lager (La Bamba). Becky begrudgingly enjoyed one as well. She no longer drinks beer. She lost nearly 50 pounds by switching to low carb, low calorie seltzers a few years ago. That was our only disappointment, no seltzers. Not even in cans in the cooler. If we ever return, she'll have to bring her own. Sunny Grove does not have a kitchen, but they do host a different food truck or pop-up nearly every day. Check the calendar on their website for details. sunnygrovebeer.com Definitely a cool spot, just wish they'd add a seltzer even if it is canned.

    You are going to LOVE this place!! The staff is amazing, super friendly crowd, clean, games, plenty…read moreof space inside and out to hang out. Always have the Padres games playing. Definitely a place that could be that place eveyone knows your name... they have a variety of food trucks, all kinds of different foods which I love also. You won't regret coming!!

    Photos
    Jandals | NZ IPA w/ Nelson, Motueka, Citra hops | 6.4% ABV | $2/$5/$7 4oz/10oz/16oz
    Jandals | NZ IPA w/ Nelson, Motueka, Citra hops | 6.4% ABV | $2/$5/$7 4oz/10oz/16oz
    Cute shirts
    Cute shirts
    Sunny Grove Brewing Company

    See all

    BNS Brewing & Distilling

    BNS Brewing & Distilling

    4.1
    (227 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Show stopper for me were the BBQ pork sliders on a brioche bun…read more The drinks complement the food served here also. There is also a distillery on the other side of the bar that has the stronger spirits. Easy to find and plenty of parking. When you walk in the bar is to the right, distillery is in an enclave opposite of the bar. The big dance floor is to the left of the bar. There is a lot of real estate for big groups. Check their schedule for the dates for the open mic night and the line dancing lead by an instructor.

    Been a minute since I'd been here and 1st time on a Saturday night....in a word, active!…read more Apparently there was some kind of corn hole tournament combined with at least one or two birthday parties and the place was going off! Since my last visit there has been quite a bit of expansion and to my surprise the beer menu hasn't changed, if at all.....which is a good thing! I had the Revolver IPA which was as good as I remember and then ordered a chicken sandwich from the inside restaurant which was amazing, I mean really good - smoked chicken breast, moist and juicy, served on a chiabatta roll, lettuce, tomato, aioli, and bacon. Was the least expensive sandwich at $11 but I challenge the others to be as good. Once you get past the noise of a Saturday night corn hole tourney, the place is really quite nice. Be back soon!

    Photos
    The Dodgers vs Giants and the Padres vs the Rockies
    The Dodgers vs Giants and the Padres vs the Rockies
    Relaxing area.
    Relaxing area.
    Logo

    See all

    Logo
    Helix Brewing

    Helix Brewing

    4.5
    (311 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    The design of this place is really cool. It feels like you've walked into a back alley and are in a…read morecompletely different part of town. Everything is so clean but it has a very good rustic and real feel to it. The drinks here are my favorite because to be honest, I'm a sours beer kind of guy and they have a whole building dedicated to it. The amount of variety when it comes to sours is great a prices are fair. Flavors pop but theirs also a good enough selection if you want a more chill sour that won't punch you in the face. The other building (not sure which is considered the main ones) has a large selection of your typical IPAs, lagers, you name it. The flavors are good and they seems to have some deals going on from time to time for cans to take home which I can appreciate. They also have a few board games to keep you entertained and seem to consistently have some options fora food vendor as well as many times having live music. Definitely worth the visit on a day you see them having one of these vendors or live bands you may be interested in. The people here seem to be very friendly with their regulars and greet you as if you're a friend. I think this bodes well with breweries considering you're usually here to have a good time and chill. I wouldn't say it feels like the reason I'd come back at all but no complaints here. Just didn't feel like out of this world service by any means.

    My husband and his buddy come here all the time and absolutely adore not only the great beers on…read moretap, but also the ambience. There are rotating food trucks that come through and the outdoor patio is a great place for families with young children as well as a space to gather and listen to live music. They also have a whole cider house with sours and such so it's an awesome way to spend an afternoon in sunny La Mesa. You really can't go wrong with any of their beers, they're ice cold and the pricing is very reasonable and there's a huge variety. The day we visited, we also took advantage of the burgers from the food truck and they were very good!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Expanded view
    Expanded view
    Helix Brewing

    See all

    Buckboard's Barbecue & Brew - newamerican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...