Really top tier BBQ and happy hour for San Diego! Halle sets a high standard for service, everyone was nice Also, solid vibes. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Smoked meats bro - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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First off the food hands down amazing, go it's so good. The service was great as well I am definitely coming back.

First, our waitress, Halle did an excellent job answering our menu questions. Her customer service skills are above & beyond super. The food was very delicious & tasty. I'd like to thank those who prepared & cooked the food, the meat was tender & flavorful. I appreciate Halle & the management coming by our table to check on us. Everything was outstanding!!! Thank you all very much!!! read more

Decided to go on a last minute date night and this place has been on my list for some time so we decided to finally try it out. The place has a super cute vibe inside loved all the decor. I'm not a huge bbq person but y'all this place was it. The habanero bbq sauce they have on the table is to die for lol. The brisket will literally melt in your mouth so delicious. Our sever was really sweet as well and super attentive. read more

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Smokey and the Brisket has such a fun, casual atmosphere to grab some food at. The automobile-themed decor gives the place a lot of personality without feeling overdone. Their menu is HUGE too. There's everything from pizza and roasted chicken to smoked meats, burgers, plus sandwiches. The drink menu has just as much variety with drafts, cocktails, dessert cocktails, seltzers, ciders, plus more. We were seated quickly. Service was friendly from the start, so we didn't have to wait long to order either. I tried the Ashland Blackberry Lemonade Seltzer. It was clean, crisp, light on both flavor and sweetness. Nothing crazy, but refreshing with BBQ. For food, we ordered the Pick 2 Combo with brisket and spare ribs. For sides, we chose the creamed corn and potato salad. We also got the Herb Half Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. In addition, we got a side of their jalapeño cornbread. The brisket was SO tender and juicy. The spare ribs were just as good. Fall-off-the-bone, fork-tender, exactly how I want my ribs. Their sides deserve some love too. The potato salad had a really nice tang from the pickles and mustard. The creamed corn reminded me of their own take on esquites. The jalapeño cornbread was moist without having an overwhelming jalapeño flavor. It came with sweet butter on the side. Let that melt into the warm cornbread... SO good. The mashed potatoes were smooth with plenty of garlic flavor. Coleslaw was probably my least favorite. It was a pretty classic version, but the lack of flavor just missed the mark for me. The chicken honestly surprised me the most. The skin was super crispy while the meat stayed juicy. The portion was HUGE too. They give you their house BBQ sauce plus habanero BBQ on the side on the table. I preferred the habanero because it added the perfect amount of heat without taking over the meat. This was such a solid BBQ meal. The meats were cooked right and portions felt fair. I'm definitely coming back because that burger and sandwich section of the menu is calling my name. read more

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In business since 2020, Smokey & the Brisket is such a fun, tasty place to visit! The lively décor here is vintage industrial-style garage, with plenty of seating inside and out. Happy Hour here is every day which is a definite plus. There is a nice selection of beers on draft and outstanding craft cocktails. While Yelp lists this place as beer & wine only, it is indeed "full bar". I will say the start of service began somewhat rocky. Had to wait a while for a server to show up, then it took quite a while for drinks to come out. Everything was smooth after that with nice, friendly service. The menu here is impressive. Many smoked BBQ favorites along with some creative derivative twists. Also, an interesting looking selection of flatbreads, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. For this visit we shared two items off the HH menu. First the "Loaded Fries". Hot & crispy fries, topped with pulled pork and house cheese sauce, finished with green onions, tomato, and sliced jalapeno. Outstanding dish and that cheese sauce was great. Not at all institutional tasting. Second was the "Burnt Ends Mac". Mac & cheese topped with fresh jalapeno and burnt ends. This was such a beautifully presented, tasty dish. It should have been served hotter though. Despite coming in that iron skillet, I don't think it ever saw the inside of an oven. We also ordered a half pound of brisket al a carte to sample in its pure form. While it tasted good, moist, and tender, I thought it was sliced a little too thin, and it lacked any discernible bark taste or mouth feel. Not the best brisket you'll find in SoCal but it's up there in the top 5 or so. The table BBQ sauce was excellent. I look forward to visiting again soon. read more

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The place was super clean the ambiance gave Texas theme. It wasn't busy so I got seated quickly and easily I ordered my food and drinks and it came out expeditiously. The server she was very attentive and any questions we had about the menu she answered which I appreciate. Overall this place exceeded its expectations thank you for the service I enjoyed it. read more

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Love this place for some good local BBQ! Even during busy hours, the staff is always attentive and sweet. You also can't beat the decorations: tables made out of monster wheels, booths made out of car seats, license plates on the ceiling.... you get the idea. It's charming and rustic. Great for families! I always go for the brisket or the dino ribs (beef rib). The brisket is always fall-apart tender. The beef rib, while pricy, is absolutely massive and can feed 2-3 people easily. It's seasoned well, and is super succulent. During our last visit, we tried out the burnt end mac during happy hour for the first time. That was killer as well! My husband finished it in no time flat. The garlic mashed potatoes is our go-to side car and the pickle chips are absolutely delicious! If you're a sports fan, the bar they have is the place for you! We watched some of the world cup there recently. The bar tenders are friendly have have great beer suggestions if you don't know what you want. Only downside is that the parking lot is a little small. Luckily you can find street parking nearby if it's busy! read more

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not gonna lie food was flavorless. smoked meat with ZERO flavor Not sure why this place seems great through reviews but man I regret my choices severely. I guess others gotta try more real smoked meat. It was a BIG waste of money. plate of Mac and cheese came out the side of my kids hand for $18?!! Had about 7 pieces of meat. Fries came out decently portioned but covered in jalapeños and odd tasting cheese. Corn bread wasn't great either. BBQ place lacking the whole idea of Texas smoked meat. id compare it to that dickies bbq pit.. read more

My son is in town and my daughter is visiting from Athens, Greece. One (or both) of them suggested Happy Hour at Smokey's. The Happy Hour menu is extensive and incredibly interesting. I managed to decide on the Taco Trio ($12) which could be ordered with brisket, pulled pork or chicken. I chose the brisket (must order same for all three, too bad). Easy review: Best tacos I have ever eaten! These guys were overstuffed with very tasty brisket and the taco usual ingredients wrapped in a corn tortilla, which managed to hold together. Fabulous tacos ! The meat was enhanced with a dollop of Smokey's BBQ Sauce, already in a squeeze bottle at the table, along with Habanero sauce, as desired. The presentation on a tray included a generous portion of very fresh and warm tortilla chips. My daughter ordered the Smokey Burger ($15) which came with plump French fries. The meat patty was very thick, cooked medium and looked delicious with lettuce and tomato. She cut it in half, knowing she could not finish it. A container was supplied for take-home. My son ordered Nachos ($13). The presentation was good, and pulled pork was the requested topping. He was very happy with his choice. Our server was Tala C, and she did a fine job. The restaurant decor is vintage automotive, with passenger car bench seats at each table, along with opposing chairs. One striking feature was a display of automotive gaskets, of all things. Cylinder head, valve cover, oil pan, exhaust manifold, and so many other gaskets in a truly artistic work of art in my opinion. A ceiling display over our table was of license plates from many states, artfully fitted together. Automotive memorabilia were everywhere, including ubiquitous truck tailgates and the rear section of a Ford Econoline van. So many treasures to enjoy. Oh, and Happy Hour draft and bottled beer was $6. Yay. When I asked why the parking lot was roped off, I found out that the first Thursday of each month is devoted to bikers and enthusiasts. But we were satisfied, and decided to get out of Dodge. read more

Stumbled across this place in La Mesa and we're pretty satisfied! Located off Lake Murray Blvd, Smokey and The Brisket is a stand alone restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and a good amount of parking. There's lots of seating and their patio is dog friendly. There's a parking lot with plenty of spots so I don't think you'd struggle, but if it's full there is street parking. The vibe definitely screamed bbq restaurant with the rustic vibe and decor is very, backyard bbq vibe with the old vehicle pieces. But nonetheless very clean. Service was really good. I had no issues. Didn't catch our waitress name but she was very polite, constantly checking up on us, doing a very good job at her job. I saw the other floor staff being very friendly to the other customers, talking and seeming like they were trying to get to know their customers. The food was really yummy. I loved how tender the brisket was. You know meet is tender when it falls apart *tenderism* and it did just that. The sausage was full of flavor and the seasoning of the pulled pork was yummy! What I loved was that the meat wasn't full of that Smokey taste. While it's good, sometimes that gets overwhelming so I'm glad this didn't do that. The sides were yummy too. The flavor on the Brussels were good! I loved the butter with the corn bread! Overall I was very satisfied! I think the price for this food matched the quality of what we got. I would see myself coming back here! It was really yummy and is now in my top 3 for San Diego bbq! read more

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Delicious! Passed by so many times on the way to my friend's house and the striking exterior design has always caught my eye. Finally got a chance to stop by late last night after playing pickleball. Really enjoyed it! The dry rub and cook on the pork ribs was outstanding. Loved the habanero bbq sauce. All the sides hit! And the service + bright clean interior design were on point. Solid sized parking lot as well. read more

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We stopped by for San Diego Restaurant week. $49 per person for three course meal. Inside of the restaurant was pretty cool, with classic cars and motorcycle displays. It was spacious and they had one side of the restaurant window open by the bar, it was nice and airy. Plenty of tables and seats, I like that they have a mini arcade in the back. Very limited parking. We had brisket burnt ends and Jalapeno mac cheese (8 out of 10), loaded fries ( 8 out of 10), prime brisket (10 out of 10; so tender and flavorful), half rack of spare ribs (10 out of 10; fell off the bone and delicious), mash potatoes, creamy corn, corn bread and bbq beans. The sides were pretty good but the mash was starchy tasting. Other than that, we had a lot of food leftover and my tummy was full. I will definitely return again to try out other dishes. read more

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Great lunch on a Sunday at 1:30 after church with a party of eight. No problem seating our large family because there's so much space. We were seated promptly and our drinks arrived quickly. It took a while for them to take our order, but once they took it, our food arrive promptly. They have a fun arcade here, but they don't have crayons and kids menus for them to color so your only option for entertainment is to play your own hangman which is what we did or fork out for the arcade games. I think they should have menu activities for the kids to play. We all enjoyed our food and we ordered nachos with brisket and nachos with pork and good for you. Salad with brisket and brisket, burger a pepperoni pizza and two chicken tenders with fries and lots of lemonade. Everyone was really happy with the food and left full and in a good mood. Dad and the kids had fun playing the arcade games afterwards and everyone just had a good time. Thanks for the fun place and the good food. It's pretty pricey so it's not a cheap place to eat, but they do have a happy hour from 2 to 5 that make the prices Much more reasonable. Fun place to come occasionally with your family to have a good time. read more

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Baby, when I tell you smoky and the brisket understood the assignment, I mean under STOKD it! The brisket was so good. It made me wanna hug the pitmaster. I came for the brisket and left with one question: was the hot sauce hotter, or was the waitress? Jury's still out. Food was incredible, service was even better, and if Yelp allowed 1,000 stars, Smokey and the Brisket would get every single one of them. Yall better give miss elanaaa a mf raise immediately. -grateful read more

Good bbq, great service and the decor is cool and vintage. Very spacious inside and they provide outdoor dining as well. If you're looking for smoked bbq give them a try. read more

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I tried Smokey and the Brisket and the food was pretty good. The brisket was tender with a nice smoky flavor, and the pulled pork was juicy without feeling heavy. The mac and cheese was super creamy, the cornbread was tasty, and the mashed potatoes were comforting. I also liked the brussels sprouts since they balanced out all the richer items. The vibe is very casual and pretty lively. There were a lot of families and kids running around, so it is not a quiet place at all. It feels like a spot where you can just relax and enjoy BBQ without worrying about anything being formal. Service was pretty good. Even with how busy it was, the staff was friendly and the food came out fast. Overall, it is a solid BBQ place in La Mesa and I would come back to if I was in the area. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

Grabbed some takeout from Smokey and Brisket BBQ , the vibe looked super cool, will definitely dine in next time * Pulled pork sandwich: tasty and hit the spot. * Cornbread: was kinda average. * Ribs: juicy and definitely the winner of the meal. * Mac & cheese: not my fave Overall, it's a solid BBQ spot. Can't wait to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere next time! read more

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Everything was delicious!! Service was amazing!! I highly recommend Smokey and the Brisket!! read more

Great food! Great service! Great ambiance! We got the hot fried chicken sandwich (SUPER hot so get the sauce on the side) but it was so good! Also got a side of their mac n cheese because it was happy hour and only $3! Lots of great deals and will definitely be back read more

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After a morning of estate sales we decided to have lunch at Smokey and the Brisket. The place had a really cool vibe. I really wanted a pulled pork sandwich, so I ordered one with the cole slaw on the side. The bbq sauce was good, but the actual meat and coke slaw could have used some seasoning. Overall, I enjoyed my lunch. It really needed some more flavors. read more

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Nice enough atmosphere. Unfortunately the food didn't measure up. I'm up barbecue lover. I got the brisket of course. Dry chewy. Big disappointment especially for the price. read more

Staff is fabulous! Love the environment and the service is quick and best part is the flavor in the food. Worth every dollar!!!! My opinion best Barbecue in San Diego !! Had the Jalapeño Mac Beef Ribs Brisket Chicken Brussels Slaw Corn Bread read more

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Had a great experience at Smoky Brisket! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the service made the experience even better. Our server, Hailey , was absolutely wonderful. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. She really made us feel welcome and taken care of. One of my favorite things about this restaurant is how pet-friendly they are. I brought my dog with me, and they even had a meal available for him! It was such a nice touch and made the experience that much more enjoyable. Great food, excellent service, and a place where your four-legged family members are welcome too. Definitely recommend Smoky Brisket, and a special thank you to Hailey for taking such great care of us! We'll definitely be back! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

The food here is total comfort food. The brisket is great but the meatloaf sandwiches are amazing! Denise is the bomb!

Wife and I started came by after a hike, and glad we did. The food was spectacular. We service was on point, we were greeted by Elena and she gave us some great recommendations. We ordered the Beef Ribs, a thick, well seasoned, juicy, beef ribs on the bone, super tender. We ordered the smaller of the options and it was so much meat, it came with two sides the tasty Brussels sprouts, some of the best potato salad in town. It was all welled paired with a chopped salad. Can't wait to build an appetite and come back for more. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Halle was absolutely amazing!! Great food and wonderful service. We will definitely be back because of her

Last night was my second visit here. My first visit was a few weeks ago when our motor gals had a dinner meet up and we took a good chick of the patio area. Since that first visit- I've been wanting to bring my fellas here. Since we had our dog tag along for dinner, we enjoyed the opposing side of the patio, near the bar. It's pretty cool how Smokey and the Brisket incorporates vintage cars and motorcycles into their aesthetic. The patio table we sat at had the front end of a classic car- which faces the eastern parking lot, but- the cushioned back seat of a vehicle. I had no idea that Thursday is Happy Hour ALL DAY!! We snagged our table at 6pm and was wondering why our server handed us the HH Menu! Happy Hour is 2-5pm. * I wonder if it's daily since menu doesn't specify certain dates. Although we told our son to meet us at 6:30pm- hubby & I decide to enjoy the shaded patio, grab some refreshments and a side of BBQ chicken for our Macho. I did bring some of our dog's dry kibble with brown rice in a Tupperware. Staff brought out a water bowl for Macho to enjoy. Along with our refreshments and keeping Macho occupied with his dinner- I figured a quick nibble of HH wings (6pc/ $13) would hold me over til our kid arrived. I think my last visit was bbq flavored wings- so, I got the tangy honey mustard. I couldn't wait to snack on one- and yes! Hot!! But, so good! Even better when you wait a few minutes to let the sauce thicken up a bit... mmm! Wings come with Ranch dressing and some fresh carrot & celery sticks. It was annoying to swat tons of flies away at our table when food did arrive. I don't recall them being that bad when our event was here, last time. The fried pickle chips were great. Again- I couldn't wait to let the cool off a bit, when the plate arrived. I like dried pickles served- chip style versus spear. And SATB does a good job of making sure they pickles aren't soggy before coating and frying. Last visit I smashed my BBQ Chicken salad (black beans, avocado, Fritos, cilantro ranch, roasted corn, cherry tomatoes, & smoked pulled chicken). Chicken is full of flavor! And I couldn't wait never go wrong with Fritos (one of my fave chips). This visit I asked for salmon instead of the chicken on my salad- and oooooh weee! That smoked salmon was a thick cut with a delicious maple glaze. I was bummed we didn't have a chance to sit inside- that way I can gawk at the motorcycles. And have a shot at the beef ribs and play some arcade games. Will be returning again! Staff is awesome! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Habanero chicken wings; small side salad; creamy corn. 5/28/25 - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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The food is always delicious! Halle is an awesome server who is very attentive, kind, and makes sure you are well taken care of. Love this place! read more

We had a great experience from the moment we walked in. Elena greeted us warmly, got us seated quickly, and recommended some of her favorite menu items. We ordered the beef rib with two sides potato salad and Brussels sprouts. The beef was incredibly tender and juicy, and both sides were delicious. We also tried the Cobb salad, which was a huge portion and very filling. After our meal, we checked out the arcade they have inside, which made the whole experience even better. It's nice to have drinks, food, and games all in one place. We'll definitely be back! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Beef ribs Brussel sprouts Potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

We took out food from Smokey and the Brisket. The place is decorated cutely and has a nice ambiance. They have a parking lot so parking was easy. They also have a bar. We loved the corn, cowboy caviar, and the cornbread. We thought the ribs and brisket were decent but not the best ever. The brisket was a bit fatty. The pieces that weren't too fatty were delicious though. We did not care for the macaroni and cheese. The staff was helpful and pleasant, which is always appreciated. We want to try eating there next time. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Decorations - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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I think I see a theme here....I was here for the Memorial Weekend, and now I visited for 4th of July! I was glad they were open because I didn't feel like cooking and it is definitely a bbq kind of day. However, I was sad that they didn't have any pork ribs left. I ended up getting the brisket which is always a winner! So tender and delicious! This visit I ordered the burnt carrots and cauliflower salad as my side. This is an amazing salad! Especially with the arugula and goat cheese and that dressing....chee hooo! So good and healthy! I brought my dog sitter since I'm heading out of town, and he enjoyed the Big Tex meatloaf. Before leaving, I ordered a pepperoni pizza because I saw pizzas coming out of the kitchen. But mine was a 12 inch and I didn't see the larger one on the menu. I guess I'll inquire another time. I needed something for lunch and it was good, especially cold! I have nothing but good things to say about the workers! They are all so friendly, especially working on a holiday! Love coming out here! And as always.... Cako Approves! read more

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Oh my gosh what an incredible spot! Not only were they projecting the World Cup on a HUGE projector screen, but the food was so good ajd easy to eat for a large party and such a good bang for your buck!! The service from Cameron was great and she was so professional and helped us a ton. Truly such a good spot for families and kids, we will be back! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Game room - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

A nice bbq place in East County! We didn't think too much of the BBQ Chicken Salad until we took the first bite. It was really good. The tender chicken really topped it off. If you're a vegetarian hanging out with friends here, this is the option to get, without the chicken. The two meat combo was just amazing. Both meat were super tender and the short rib fell off the bone. So good! Beans were just beans but the brussel sprouts were amazing. Instead of the usual tart vinaigrette, they had some fruity jam or date added with bacon. Got that sweet smokey taste to it. The wait staff were also super friendly. The decor was just super wacky and fun! Overall, I'll be back to try their other meat selections. It was so good. Left a great first impression. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Two meat combo, brisket and short ribs (left), BBQ Chicken Salad (right) - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

Brisket sliders- bomb Brisket Mac&cheese- bomb Chicken Tacos - bomb Lychees martini - bomb Warm house made churros/ice cream - bomb Cute seats, families definitely welcomed. Games in the back for big kids and kiddos! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Went here for my 32nd birthday. Had to show up 30 minutes before they closed so I commend them all for their hospitality and service. My waitress name was Cameron. (I hope I got her name right.) Really good at her job and very kind. The atmosphere was nice, like an old timey rustic vibe. The food was delicious. I ordered the Stop Your Engine Burger and got a free Hot Lava Cake with Ice Cream. This was my second time eating here. Definitely worth coming back!! read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Chocolate Lave Cake - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

We came here for Father's Day and liked the small-town vibe and the country roadhouse meets industrial garage décor. Our server was helpful, engaging, and checked in on us regularly. The food was kind of hit or miss though. The sides were definitely the highlight for us, especially the creamy elote-style corn and the jalapeño cornbread. The fried mac 'n cheese balls were a hit as well. The meats weren't quite what I was hoping for. The meatloaf had an odd texture and the chicken skin was more rubbery than crisp. The brisket was fall-apart tender but it was also pretty fatty. It wasn't all bad, but not the best either. I think with places like this, it sometimes just takes a second visit to find your go-to order. read more

Smokey and the Brisket - Bix Tex Meatloaf - Barbeque Near Me - La Mesa, California

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This is an amazing local spot that has delicious bites. I've been going here for a few years and has been my favorite go to for BBQ. One of my favorite menu items is their Texas Meatloaf! It truly is the most divine bite that's rich and full of good bbq flavor. The service is always excellent and we love that everybody is greeted with a smile. It feels very laidback but gives a very fun atmosphere for any outing. read more

This place is sooooo yummy, everything we got was so flavorful and delicious. Even the cocktails we ordered were perfect. Not too sweet not too tart. We brought a table of 15-20 people and their service was very very timely and the waitresses handled our big party extremely well. I would come here again because it all was 5 stars across the board read more

We had a great experience at Smokey and the Brisket! Our waitress, Halle, was so friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout our meal. She made sure we had everything we needed and was wonderful with our family. The food was delicious, and it's such a great spot for kids with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be back! read more