What went well? Everything. Fast service, cheap prices, good lookin staff, energetic announcements. I can go on. If I lived in slo I would be a fat hog from all the time I spent here. 10/10 read more

I've been thinking about tri-tip since we left Fresno 15 years ago, so we came to Firestone for the tri-tip as we were driving through central California. The sandwich was huge and definitely left me not wanting any sides, which is good because my sandwich didn't come with any and we didn't order any either. We took our orders to go, and they were ready fast. The restaurant looked cool, with tons of seating inside and out. Solid dinner option in San Luis Obispo. read more

What an establishment! The tri-tip sandwich was delicious and a great value for the price. They definitely load on the tri tip. I also got the fries and a side of garlic bread. The fries were too salty for my taste, but everything else was really good. The burgers looked amazing too, and they were about half the price of the tri-tip sandwich, so I'll definitely be trying one next time. The line can get pretty long, but they move people through surprisingly fast. There's also plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so it never felt too crowded. Definitely worth the stop! read more

Firestone Grill - Tri Tri-Tip Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Came here twice in 2 days because the tri-tip sandwich is so good. The bread is fresh, complementing the tender and lean meat well. It's hearty. I've also had the salad and fries which are alright. The inside feels like a sports bar. Service is fine. read more

Firestone Grill - Tri-Tip Sandwich and Fries - Side - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

We took a trip down to SLO for the three day weekend and my friend recommended trying Santa Maria BBQ. When we arrived, there was a line out the door and once we got in, we could immediately see why! They had a huge menu with very inexpensive offerings. Most burgers were under $10, which is rare these days. While I usually wish fries were included with the meal, I didn't mind because they had two sizes for $3 and $6, and they were both HUGE! The burgers were big too and very good. Definitely a hidden gem. Despite the long line, our food came out quickly. Everything was so good! read more

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Tried this place again. After many years, they still offer good tri-tip sandwich. And there was a long line as usual. Prices gone up a little, which is normal. Still a very popular place. And tri-tip still tasted good. read more

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I can definitely see why this place is so popular. The service is fast, straightforward, and the food gives you a lot for the price. We ordered the famous tri-tip sandwich, the Firebird, and a half-and-half basket of fries and onion rings. To be honest, we were both a little disappointed by the tri-tip sandwich. They give you a generous amount of meat, but the flavor was milder than expected, and the meat itself was slightly tough, which made the sandwich less enjoyable overall. The Firebird, on the other hand, was unexpectedly delicious. It is basically two chicken tenders in sandwich form, but the fresh toppings and Thousand Island dressing brought everything together perfectly. The true star, though, was the fries and onion rings. Seriously, just get them. We had not planned to order them, but the cashier convinced us and guaranteed we would not regret it--and he was absolutely right. The fries were definitely on the salty side, but in the best possible way. The onion rings were my personal favorite and easily the winner of the meal. What's not to like?--great value, quick service, and comfort food done right. read more

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This spot got recommended by a local and oh my wow! It is so good! There was a line to order but we actually went past the line and inside to grab a table and they take your order. We sat at the bar first and we had to wait a bit for a table to free up. Once we did, the lovely waitress came and took our drink orders. The drinks came shortly after and then she took our order. I had their tri-tip sandwich and omg! I totally recommend it! The bbq sauce was gold! Their fries were so good too. Not oily at all! There were TVs everywhere, of course is loud in there so it was hard to converse but overall the ambiance was lively and the food delicious. Totally recommend this spot. read more

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Had an awesome family lunch here, really great BBQ, definitely a family favorite. Nice outdoor seating, first come first serve so get there fast! Inside is cool, lots of memorabilia to check out. read more

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This was a staple downtown, San Luis Obispo for about the last 20 years.... Man has it really been that long? We have since moved out away from the central coast. Certainly miss stopping into this restaurant for some of the best tri-tip sandwiches, Fresh salads and cold beers along with great Crowd and football games on the tv read more

Firestone Grill - TriTip Sando and a Mango Cart - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Always a must-stop on a road trip. The tri-tip sandwich never disappoints, and the fries are dangerously good.

Ordered our food and went to grab a drink from the bar. Both bartenders made eye contact with us sitting at the bar top but no one helped us for about 10 minutes, then our food was ready. We wanted to sit outside, so we took our food out there and now had nothing to drink with our food which is super frustrating. Food came out super quick, and it was SO yummy. (but I was thirsty) Lovely outdoor seating area. Tables are wiped down pretty frequently. I watched people from the table next to us go inside to grab a drink, took them about 20 minutes to come back with two beers. On a Wednesday!! read more

Firestone Grill - Tri-Tip Sandwich Onion Rings - Side - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Firestone Grill is a casual eatery in San Luis Obispo known for its tri tip sandwiches and burgers. You order at the counter and pick-up your food at the counter. There's indoor seating and outdoor covered patio seating as well. The portions are good for sharing and the prices are reasonable for the area. Overall, the food is pretty average bar food, but can be saved by the sauces on the side. The chipotle chicken sandwich tasted bland and was messy to eat, but paired well with the onion rings and fries. I'd recommend this place for a big group looking to eat a casual meal family style. read more

Firestone Grill - Onion Rings - Basket, Fries - Basket, Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, Tri-Tip Sandwich, Veggie Avocado Sandwich, 5 Chicken Strips, Garlic Bread - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Hands down the best pulled pork I've had. Can't speak to ambience because I got it to go, however it was bustling in there! I particularly appreciate that I can get the pork in a to go cup, instead of buying a sandwich and throwing the bread away. read more

One of our favorite stops in SLO. Went for dinner on a Saturday night and the line to order was out the door with indoor and outdoor seating full. Found seating quickly though by having one of our party search while the rest stood in line to order. Ordered burgers, tri tip sandwiches and a tri tip salad with a large basket of fries and onion rings. They don't skimp on portions (see picture of the salad)... we struggled to finish all of our dishes! I got a taste of all the burgers and sandwiches and enjoyed all the bites. My tri tip salad had bell peppers, tomatoes, a little too many red o ions, spring mix and a vinaigrette dressing. Every bite had tri tip with it. Definitely a good place to go for a casual dinner. It's loud inside but that's expected with so many patrons cycling through. Staff is friendly and helpful. Will keep coming back whenever we're in town! read more

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Whenever I visit my sister at Cal Poly we make it a point to come here for the best tri tip sandwich ever. Long lines, even during the week but it is so worth it. Theres plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The ribs and burgers are also good but the tri-tip sandwich is the must try. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Firestone has my favorite tri-tip sandwich. Absolutely wonderful! Love sitting outside under the covered patio. Whenever I make the trip south from San Jose to Disneyland, we always stop off at the Bakersfield location for Tri-Trip! I'm not a big fan of seasoned fries (too seasoned for my taste), but I can get fries anywhere. It's all about the Tri-Trip! read more

I use to really like this place but recently came back for a visit and honestly not that great anymore. The tri tip sandwich was try and tough and not flavorful enough. I also had the ribs and they're also a bit tough and needed more sauce. Really enjoyed the beans actually but I brought my boyfriend here as it was his first time and he was also not impressed. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Firestone Grill serves the best tri-tip sandwiches -- consistently moist, flavorful, and never dry. The full menu is outstanding, and I've never been disappointed. They offer a great sports bar, plenty of indoor seating, and shaded outdoor seating. Service is fast, friendly, and professional. Lines move quickly, even when busy. Highly recommend. read more

An absolute must-try in SLO, the BBQ is one of the best I've ever had! We ordered online to pick up the food but we were really hungry so we ended up eating at the restaurant. There's a lot of seating inside and outside the restaurant and there's big tables for larger parties. Items ordered: - Tri-Tip Sandwich (5/5): Omg this tri-tip sandwich is one of the best I've ever had. The meat is so tender and not super chewy. Right amount of BBQ sauce so it doesn't make the flavor too overwhelming. Definitely try it if it's your first time here. - Monster Burger (5/5): Can't believe this burger is less than $10 because it's huge! Great flavor, comes with a lot of lettuce and cheese. - Fries (5/5): Great side with the sandwich and burger. - Onion Rings (4/5): Large onion rings, very crispy. 11/10 would come back again! read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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The only reason I come to San Luis Obispo these days. The tri tip sandwich is still one of the best I've had. There's always a line, no matter what time you come. However, the order comes out very quickly. The staff has a very streamlined system to get everyone fed. There's indoor seating and a big outdoor patio seating (perfect for those with dogs). If you need extra BBQ sauce, that have them in to go containers. Water is self serve and bathrooms are on the right. Found Street parking each time I came. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

I love this place so much! Always worth a stop if you're in slo! Plenty of seating inside and outside and food comes out fast. Tri tip sandwich: 11/10 Pulled pork sandwich:11/10 Bbq sauce and ranch are amazing. Fries: 11/10 YOU MUST GET THESE FRIES! Everything is delicious! read more

Firestone Grill - Tri-Tip Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Very cool bar with the best Tri Tip Sandwich I ever tasted! The fries were also really good - crispy and thin Service was pretty fast and its super busy but seats are available inside and outside! Their outside seating is large with heaters to keep you warm! Inside can be quite loud but very good vibe for sports or hanging out! read more

Firestone Grill - Tri-Tip Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

The food here is good and if you like tri-tip, you'll definitely like this spot. Our group of 7 were able to find a table, so that was pretty nice to have everyone seated together. I had the burger and it was pretty filling. The onions rings were my favorite and it paired well with the ranch. The salad also looked pretty bomb and my buddy enjoyed it too. read more

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After the first experience which was for a drink. We made another stop for a nightcap. This place is busy and for a good reason. Also everything closes early in town. Anyways, we grabbed a drink at the bar area and sat there watching tennis. But literally everyone was there ordering food. Menu wise, sandwiches/burgers, salads and sides. This place was happening. It''s very affordable so that's a big reason for them being so busy. What I really noticed was everyone ordering the brisket sandwiches. Next day, we stopped by for lunch so I can try their food. Obviously lunch time and it was packed. The line to order was quite long but did move fast. You order at the counter and from there they'll call your number out when the order is ready. Plus, alcoholic drinks have to be ordered at the bar area. Seating both inside and at bar area as well as the massive covered patio. The girl that took my order was quite friendly. I asked about certain things and she was very accommodating. Order wise, the jalapeños burger and brisket sandwich. And a half and half basket or fries and onion rings. There's two sizes for side order so when she said get the small to share, it was perfect. I saw the large basket come out and it was massive. Anyways, the food was quite nice and tasty. Burger was really juicy and massive. I'm not a burger person but from what we've seen last night, it looked amazing. Also the brisket sandwich served in a French bun was tasty. Bbq sauce on top as well as extra in the side. The meat was nice and thick but very tender and juicy. I see what the hype is all about here for food. It's a place that everyone knows about and throughout the day, it is crazy busy. Loads of college kids as well as locals. Food was very reasonable as well as drinks. Portion wise, they're massive. Perfect for sharing as everything was big but with it being so reasonable, might as well try everything else. Also, the salad looked amazing as well. Served in a bowl that looks like it could feed two to three people. First drinks and now food, this place was great. It's on our list for next time. Beer and burgers. Line is crazy but it does move fast. A big college hotspot for food. read more

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We on vacation in the area found this place on yelp. There's a lot of street parking and located in the center of a lot of shopping. They have a huge open outside area with a ton of Hester's everywhere. We went on a Friday night so it was very busy but they were properly staffed. The menu is really big so anyone can see it. The things were reasonably priced. The food comes out fast you go and get it at the counter. The Cesar salad was okay . My son loved the hot dog. My husband liked his sandwich. Overall a great place to come get lunch or dinner. read more

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I didn't realize that there were so many restaurants that now require a reservation...so we opted for a quick lunch at Firestone Grill. We've been to other Firestone restaurants in SoCal, but this was my first visit to this one. This place was super crowded and loud (we were crunched for time) but luckily we were able to find a table in the bar area where it was bit less chaotic. This is a "fast-food" style ordering process, so do yourself a favor and find a seat before ordering so you're not wandering around looking for a seat afterwards. My wife and I both ordered the tri-tip sandwich with a side of French fries and shared onion rings. I'll hand it to them, as busy as they were they get orders out very quickly. The tri-tip was just so-so for me. It didn't have a lot of flavor, and while it was moist it wasn't very tender, even rather tough. The bread was soft and warm though. The French fries and onions were both very tasty and delicious. Glad that Firestone came through as a solid backup. read more

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Service was great. Burger was tasteless. Lots of tvs. Many tables for our large group. Cheese fries were super greasy. I regret ordering those. read more

Visited SLO after 10 years and this is one of the few places I recognized. Fries were just as salty as I remembered, it was lively and loud per usual, and the food was okay. It was a spot you'd always bring your out of town fam to, but with waitress's shirts that say "just the tip"? Around my parents or kids? Not family friendly, not classy, and not necessary. Sadly, it wasn't the tri-tip that was remembered. Sort of surprised such an established brand has dropped to this level, perhaps trying to rage bait or out of desperation to stay relevant when everything downtown has changed, who knows. I know a lot of people don't care, but I won't be returning or recommending anymore. read more

Admittedly, not my style of place. I'm okay with fast casual overall, but Firestone Grill was too loud / too hectic for starters. After ordering, I went to the fountain beverage station where there wasn't a single drink that didn't have lots of caffeine, sugar, or both. That didn't "impress me much" - sing it, Shania! I wanted to like it, especially as we were meeting our daughter and son-in-law as they were passing through. We were vacationing with their young daughter and they were up for meeting in SLO as they drove south. As a first time experience, it didn't win me over. Reading some of the other reviews I see that I should have tried their Tri-Tip sandwich. I'd just ordered that the day before, so I went with "the Pig" instead. While the texture was good, the flavor was underwhelming. The best thing we had were the onion rings. They did have some distinct flavor and were cooked to perfection. We ordered a side of ranch beans and there was something off on the taste that wasn't what I was expecting. They weren't bad, but just not the tangy sauce that you'd normally get with a good ranch beans preparation. The cole slaw dressing didn't work for my taste buds, either. Instead of being able to have a conversation about the respective vacation days we'd spent (they visited Paso Robles / Monterey / Santa Cruz / Carmel / Big Sur, while we'd been in the Paso area for four days, so lots to discuss), our talk was continually interrupted by numbers being called for pickup. The order calling was at high volume. The industrial architecture and decor were okay with me. We sat inside. They also have a very large outdoor covered patio area. I'd consider a future visit, perhaps not at dinner time when all the hard working guys were coming in to get quantities of barbecued meats. A mid-afternoon late lunch would probably be quieter. Parking is on the street and you will have to pay for it. read more

Firestone Grill - The Pig sandwich and sides. - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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As a former Cal Poly student (back in 2010) I'm very familiar with Firestone and so I knew it was an absolute MUST when I returned to SLO in 2026. I took my partner there for a late lunch and they had an amazing happy hour. TRI TIP: you can't go there w/o getting this sandwich. The Central Coast/Santa Maria area is famous for it. To this day, I have never had a better tri-tip sandwich than the one I can get at Firestone. Totally worth the $18 and comes with fries and a great BBQ sauce. Happy Hour: crazy good happy hour... $6 green tea shots, $8 beers. read more

Stopped here for a quick bite as part of a work trip, and before a meeting. Fast service!! Excellent options for bbq, whether you want a salad or lots of meat. Prices are more than reasonable, and you can sit outside their patio space if you want fresh air and more chill vibes. If you eat indoors, be prepared for lots of TVs blaring on plus crowd noise. But overall this is a great spot to grab food and go, or to sit down and enjoy some great bbq. read more

Food was amazing, and price was very reasonable. A rack of ribs cost 27 and was more than filling for the two of us, given we also ordered a side of fries and coleslaw. The food also comes out promptly even when it is super busy like a Friday night, which we went on. Highly recommend if you're craving bbq in slo!! read more

Firestone Grill - Rack of Ribs, coleslaw, fries. - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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I was a bit hesitant to try this place out because they were pretty busy. To my surprise they were very efficient. The young man who took our order was polite and helpful. We all enjoyed our meals and the beer was great. Glad we stopped in! Just a warning- It is a very loud environment. The only reason I mention this is because those who have hearing difficulties like myself and wear hearing aids, this can be overwhelming. Either take them off or lower the volume before going in. read more

Firestone Grill - Cali Squeeze - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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I stayed in San Luis Obispo for a couple days, so of course I had to check out one of their most popular BBQ joints, which was Firestone Grill. Ordering was pretty simple, which was lining up to get to the front of the counter, place an order with the cashier, and then get a number. You have to get your own table though. I ordered the tri tip sandwich, Firestone salad, and onion rings to share with my girlfriend. The order came out pretty quick, like about 4-5 minutes. The tri tip was pretty moist, and I really liked the sauce. It's a little plain for my taste though in terms of sandwich construction (just meat and buns), but for a simple sandwich, it was good. The salad was pretty good as well and for a "small", it felt like a large to me. The onion rings were just ok though, nothing home to write about. Overall, Firestone Grill is a good spot to try some tri tip sandwiches and salad. Bathroom seemed kind of dirty. Service was nice. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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We're all creatures of habit.... My partner and I go up to SLO typically once a year and when we do, we always stop at Firestone Grill. Nothing changes from year to year...our order is the same...two tri-tip sandwiches and a basket of onion rings. Always delicious! Firestone Grill is busy but it's a fast-casual place, so you're never waiting long. Service is quick and friendly. See you next year! read more

Firestone Grill - Our usual- two Tri-Tip Sandwiches and a basket of onion rings - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA The Pros: - Casual dress code - good for big or small groups / families - quick and easy menu and ordering process - decent food / bbq -cold drinks and beer -outside patio The Cons: - Never expect great customer service or just service at all. Not part of their brand. They are not rude or disrespectful. I believe hospitality isn't to be encountered here most of the times I've visited. - Food presentation can be a little messy. If you order a Sandwhich or Burger the lettuce and onions could be falling out, and the bun could look smashed or overly pressed. Not a biggie. I walk in knowing where I am. Fries can be very soggy but that seasoning is great. I can taste the MSGs. Love it. My Experience: Walked in. 10 People ahead of me. Line moves quick. I was ordering within 5 minutes. Cashiers are pleasant sometimes. Got my receipt with a big number they call later on a mic. Expo called my number and they threw a bag in front of me. Code for I am busy and I work here type of americana vibes. I asked for some bbq sauce and ranch. Dude never looked me in the eye. Just dropped two sauces in my bag and passed my bag like a football which I caught with my chest. As an observer this is common here. Order the ABC burger. Good burger with avocado. Dry buns but good. Super smashed buns by quickly preparing it maybe. No biggie again. Bbq tri-tip sandwich came with a drop of bbq. But that tri tip is very good. We were lucky we ordered extra bbq sauce on the side. Their bbq and ranch are excellent! Staple of SLO. Everyone loves it as we do too. To the new visitors I would advice: just know what you are getting into: Big space, lots of seating, good for families, quick bites, fast service and casual. Hospitality isn't their goal. Great local spot. Good bbq and tender tri-tip. Average burgers. Always busy and Loud. We will always be back! :) Thank you! read more

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I had not been here in a while but the food was just as good on my last visit as I remember. On this visit my wife and I tried both the ABC burger and the tri-tip sandwich. Both were delicious and great choices. We also split a small side order of onion rings that was a nice side for both sandwiches. As usual the line was very long but everyone working there does their best best to take your order and get the food out quickly. The covered patio has lots of seating but parking in that area can be a little difficult. This place is a SLO institution and a must try when you're there. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Quality/Quantity - Another MUST visit when in SLO. We are creatures of habit! Simple menu done well! We always get a Southwestern Salad (too bad my daughter dropped it...) and our usual Tri Tip Sandwich with fries. As usual, all the food was good. We actually took this to-go as we got here just before they closed. Also available: Happy Hour Mondays through Friday from 2pm-6pm. Again, another crazy busy time. Atmosphere - Open kitchen with a huge team. Self-service soda fountain. Full bar, beer, wine, and cocktails. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating today, but again we arrived right before they closed. In the past we had to stand behind people that we felt were going to leave soon to get a seat. Events - See picture. Open 7 days a week from 11am to 9pm or 10pm. See picture, Yelp, or their website. Service - This is the most organized I HAVE ever seen them; GREAT job! Literally, right after we paid, our order was ready. Just had to turn around towards the kitchen. In the past, we have waited in line up to an hour just to order and then another hour to get our food. Okay, I am exaggerating a little; lol. Price - $35. Expensive, but worth it. For both quality and all the positive memories it brought back. Even more expensive today as my daughter dropped our salad to the point where we were not able to salvage it. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1984, I did not know you had 4 locations! Also congrats on your success at this location since 1995. Firestone comes from the name after the tire company, not the beer (from Paso Robles). So good to see it all stay in the family. read more

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Stop by before going to solvang. Got two tri tip sandwiches and some bbq sauce. The tri-tip was soft and flavorful, and the bread was warm and crispy outside and buttery, and the barbecue sauce was warm with a little tang and spice. read more

Firestone Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California