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Phil's BBQ

3.8 (519 reviews)
ModerateBarbeque, Bars
Open 5:00 am - 10:00 pm

Phil's BBQ Photos

PHIL'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Phil's BBQ

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Reviews With Photos

We finished before I remembered to take a picture!
Christy C.

I was so surprised with how good the food from Phil's was at the airport! I even forgot to take a picture until after we were done!! Service was fast and friendly. Food was served quickly. Portions were great and taste was awesome. The tri-tip was so tender and flavorful!! I could have gladly just eaten that. Airport food is often so meh. Was nice to find an excellent choice!

Corn on the cob
Gloria G.

The place looks small however it is large inside and very clean. You have to order before siting but it goes quick. We visited San Diego with family so we ordered the family feast which comes with all the items as well as cornbread but it was eaten quickly so I didn't get a picture. The corn was also extra but the kids wanted it. I love bbq and don't just rate any highly, however this one has always been the Best and whenever we visit SD we have to go!!! This is a must!!! The best part is the fact that once you are seated there are wait staff that give excellent serve, they bring extra bbq sauce, take away empty dishes and are so friendly! ENJOY!!!

Chicken Caesar salad with a side of tri tip
Jenna g.

I usually dislike eating at the airport for a number of reasons but this was a really good experience. Ample seating and the area was clean. The bartender that helped us was super friendly and efficient with great vibes. I wish I would've caught his name so I could mention him. He had a man bun - maybe that'll help identify him! The food was great - exactly what we were looking for prior to our departure. I would definitely eat here again if I was waiting in this terminal.

Philbuster burger
Rick H.

If one is to eat at an airport it may as well be good food.....Phil's BBQ fits the bill! We ordered the Philbuster burger and quarter rib dinner with coleslaw and pickle as the side. The ribs were tender and well bbq'd and the burger was HUGE and delicious, 2 patties, choice bacon, onion ring, piled high with pulled pork.....amazing! I expect to pay more at an airport but pricing was fair. The guy at the counter was super chill and accommodating, efficient and friendly, and the food came out hot and quick. Located at the end of Terminal 2 near the 38-44 gates, an open atmosphere welcomes travelers with food and drink options to please all. Enjoyed the vibe.

Chantel C.

Waiting on a flight and needed bite to eat. Sat at the bar ordered the tri tip fries and a ginger beer. The bartender was welcoming,friendly and personable. She was super attentive had a great playlist and easy to talk to. The food was OK I'm wondering if I should have got the ribs. The beef was tender but fries were just okay.

Dining Area
Joyce L.

Love me some Phil's, and while the selection and execution at this airport off-shoot of the San Diego institution doesn't match its regular restaurant locations, it certainly beats anything I can eat in the air when flying domestic (international first class is of course on a whole other level ;). Pro tip: avoid the line and order via kiosk instead. Apple Pay accepted, and food comes out fast, always a plus when you're rushing to get somewhere!

Dry California burrito
Nancy H.

I was heading out of town for a work trip so needed to grab something portable and easy to consume on the plane. If I could summarize the meal in one word, it would be DRY. - California Breakfast Burrito ($17.95): I don't know if I was supposed to ask for BBQ sauce or the standard California burrito ingredients (pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream), but apparently the default is that I get absolutely nothing. The burrito was just tortilla, dry meat, and minimal cheese. The only moisture came from the soggy, not-crisp fries. - Side of breakfast potatoes ($3.30): Should have passed on this one too. Not crispy. Also dry. There is a 2% pre-tax surcharge. My work has a maximum spend amount per meal, and despite choosing the most inexpensive and least appetizing combination of foods, I still exceeded my $25 stipend after addition of sales tax, the 2% double taxation, and tip (I always tip). Not much one can do when stuck eating in an airport, but for those of you who wander over to Phil's, do NOT order the California burrito. Or if you do, ask them to not forget to add all semblance of sauce. My favorite BBQ place in San Diego is Smoking J's. I wish Smokin J's would replace this airport Phil's.

At the SD airport location
Steve C.

Can be busy since it's the main airport terminal. QR menus make it easy to order and pick up your food when ready. Have sports playing on some screens while rock is playing on the speakers. Great ribs with a sweet sauce with a little bit kick. Limited wine but a full bar. Like their Mac salad.

Kiosk order
Long D.

Got a beer before the flight in terminal 2, next to gate 45, end of concourse. Kiosk order or just walk up. Dine in or to go. Plenty of seats not cheap but decent quality. Quick serve , lower your anxiety and pacify your taste bud and your stomach before the flight. Airport Open air ambiance. Glad we have this choice in SAN terminal 2.

BBQ Brahman sandwich
David L.

Pros: fast service, close to United gates, sandwich was large. Cons: pulled pork was dry. First time trying Phil's BBQ. It was about 1000 but they were already serving lunch items. Good size portions, but the pulled pork was dry. The sauce was tangy which is good or bad depending on your taste. It was little too much for me. Overall it was an OK meal.

Bbq Baby back ribs, delicious fries and Cole slaw
Lawrence L.

I love coming here when flying through San Diego. They always have solid service and the food is quick! The sauce is incredible on the pork ribs. I get it pretty much every time. In terms of the sides, they're all pretty good but my favorite is how perfect their fries are and the Cole slaw. They always have music going and multiple TVs with sports on. Theres also a bar connected for those looking for a more elaborate beverage.

Ribs To go
Michelle T.

The ribs were delicious and full of flavor. The portions were generous, and I really enjoyed my meal. The service was good, and the restaurant offers both pick up and dine in. Even close to closing time, the place was super busy. Lots of seating available.

Dank G.

$23 philbuster $3 pickle Filthy. Filthy good. Heavier than 1/2 lb for sure. This order takes an additional 10 minutes to make and a few more to eat so you'll need some time. I ordered at the cashier not the bar and then took a seat at the table. GO PRO- order the side slaw and top the burger with it.​

Beef ribs, Mac salad, potato salad, baby back ribs

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Beef bbq. Corn bread delish!!! Service they came to our table 3x to. ?? how we are doing!!!

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Phil's BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Phil's BBQ

Will you take reservations?

I've gone a few times now at various times in the day and I haven't seen anyone make reservations. If you go before rush hours you can get a seat, we've gone at 11:30, 3:30, and 5:00. Because we eat early and get desserts somewhere else we haven't… Read more

Is tip based on amount before taxes using credit card?

Hi Dan, The tips are added after the taxed amount is given.

Do you guys have an outdoor patio that will allow dogs?

Yes! All our restaurants have an outdoor patio that is dog friendly.

Can you get draft beer to go?

Hi! Unfortunately, we don't offer to-go drinks at the airport location.

Is this before or after security in the airport (near Gates or no)? I am trying to figure out if I will be able to carry-on BBQ sauce bottles or not. Thanks.

Hi! Our spot is located after the security check - I hope that helps!

Do they accept apple pay?

Yes, we do!

Phil's bbq

Must go to for your BBQ in San Diego. You should expect a long line but it will be so worth it. Huge portions too.

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Phil's BBQ - Half Rib Dinner with fresh cut fries and macaroni salad

Phil's BBQ

4.3(17k reviews)
1.7 miMidway
$$

Great service, big crowds but managed efficiently and best large beef ribs I've had in a long time…read more!!

5 stars specifically for Kira and her attentive & chipper attitude!! This woman loves her job and…read moreit shows!!!! With our family visit to San Diego, my BD mentioned Phil's. The only Phil's I knew at that point pertained to coffee. Lol. Not being a huge meat eater, I was kind of standoff-ish about the idea but since the establishment is known for being a staple visit whenever people come to SD, I had to do it. The 17K+ reviews and the 4.5 star solid rating also helped with that decision. Known for their slow cooked meats and their large portions, Phil's BBQ is a casual dining experience where you get a combo of self serve and attentive service from the staff- all rolled into one. Our family of 3 arrived for a late lunch. The meal consisted of: *BABY BACK RIB + CHICKEN DINNER $25.99 -paired with potato salad + sweet baked beans *BBQ WINGS- 10ct $11.95 *SAUSAGE LINK $4.99 *COLOSSAL ONION RINGS $9.99 *LARGE SIDE: STEAMED VEGGIES $4.75 * FOUNTAIN DRINKS $3.49/each Ribs and chicken were good. These meats were cooked perfectly- lathered in sauce and very tender. The wings were good and had a light kick to it- nothing to bat an eye over for us adults but a lot of soda breaks were needed for my toddler. Beans were delicious but the potato salad wasn't a fave. The onion rings were the biggest letdown- these were massive in size but so very dry and overly crunchy. This order essentially went untouched after a few bites. the hot link was delicious and the veggies were made well but bland. 3.5 stars for the food but because this review is specifically dedicated to Kira, it's automatically a FIVE!!!! This young lady truly made our visit to Phil's BBQ 100% memorable and very much enjoyed. Service doesn't get any better than what she's offering and her warmth provided to the patrons are unmatched! Girl, YOU DESERVE A MF'N RAISE!!!!!!

Photos
Phil's BBQ - Full Beef Rib Dinner with potato salad and fresh cole slaw

Full Beef Rib Dinner with potato salad and fresh cole slaw

Phil's BBQ - Line of hungry people moving fast!!

Line of hungry people moving fast!!

Phil's BBQ - Thanks, Yelpers!

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Thanks, Yelpers!

Del's Hideout

Del's Hideout

4.3(1.2k reviews)
7.8 mi
$$

BBQ Month @delshideout @dinecrg welcomes the flavors of the Philippines created by Chef Martin…read more@chef_ecruz featured this weekend From chicken insal, smoked lechon pork belly, tri tip bistek, shrimp & pork lumpia, pancit, fried potatoes, steamed rice, and comforting tamarind pork soup... this BBQ feast brings smoky Texas BBQ together with Filipino comfort food for the ultimate fusion plate Family-friendly vibes, ice cold drinks, sports on every screen, and that low & slow BBQ goodness make this spot a must try in San Diego.

Shout out to Dulce for helping us grab some tables for our large party of almost 20 people, and to…read moreAlejandro for being such a great server! Stopped in last night to celebrate my husband's birthday. Although Del's doesn't take reservations, we were able to snag a few tables right next to the kids play area. It was perfect since we had so many kids in our party. All the food was delicious -- from their baked beans, corn bread, onion rings, and to their barbecue selection. We ordered the 12 party meal plus some appetizers for the kids such as the Mac & cheese and chicken tenders. Everyone was commenting on how good everything was. Honestly, this has become one of our favorite barbecue spots! Their bbq sauce is also really good, it had the right amount of sweetness and slight tang without being too thick. Would definitely recommend to anyone who just wants to watch the game by themselves or bring a large party. Thank you Del's for making it a memorable night!

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Del's Hideout - Main dining area

Main dining area

Del's Hideout - Bar

Bar

Del's Hideout - The best mac & cheese

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The best mac & cheese

The Fire Spot

The Fire Spot

4.5(754 reviews)
7.0 miKearny Mesa
$$$

This is easily our favorite BBQ spot, and we keep coming back for a reason! Every visit here is a…read moregreat experience. The meat quality is consistently excellent--always fresh, well-marinated, and flavorful. But what really sets this place apart is the incredible service. The staff is exceptionally hardworking and prompt, especially Mr. Chen. He always makes sure we're taken care of and his attention to detail really makes the meal seamless. Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, you're guaranteed to have a nice time here. Highly recommend!

We came around 12:15 pm and missed the first wave of seating since they open at 12 so we waited…read moreabout 75 mins to be seated around the 1:30 pm. Inside is pretty small and tight which is why there's always a wait. Service was friendly and but we did have to flag them down as they were pretty busy. We ordered the regular menu at $37.99 per person. My favorites were the marinated hand cut beef and marinated short rib. They were both nicely marinated and flavorful but the short rib was a bit fatty. The sliced brisket was decent but pretty peppery and too thin. The black pepper finger meat was also peppery and too chewy and tough. The zucchini, corn cheese and steamed egg were pretty good sides. The charcoal grill gave it a nice charred flavor and cooked the meats quickly and the hood made it less smoky which was nice.

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The Fire Spot - Marinated sliced beef, sliced brisket, marinated beef short ribs and cooked beef blackstrap

Marinated sliced beef, sliced brisket, marinated beef short ribs and cooked beef blackstrap

The Fire Spot
The Fire Spot

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Phil's BBQ - bbq - Updated June 2026

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