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    SOT BBQ

    4.5 (363 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    SOT BBQ Reservations

    SOT BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    SOT BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - SOT BBQ

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    Violet Y.

    Great spot for high quality korean bbq. The service was great, they help do all the cooking and even grill up some kimchi to pair with the meal. The favorites were the wagyu tongue, tartare, and the marinated short rib. The kimchi fried rice is a nice meal ender as well. Would come back to try more of the other options!

    Somi J.

    This is not your typical all you can eat Korean barbecue. They offer higher and cut of meat, including Wagyu beef. Highly recommend a reservation, and for parking we didn't have any trouble, but it is shared with another very popular Ramen place right next-door. This is a place where your server will help you cook the meat, which was nice, we've ordered separately outside of the sampler plate they do offer. We just ordered some Wagyu and briskets. A portion of these plates are very small so I would recommend ordering more than what you would order at all you can eat buffet. Yes price is higher due to higher quality of meat. Also, the ventilation of this place was a little better than the other Korean barbecue place because we didn't really smell that badly afterwards. Overall, this place was great for service, ambience and for food. Highly recommend. However, for other dishes they offered were very much meh. Do not order anything else but meat here.

    Wagyu platter and SOT platter
    Jailen T.

    Came to celebrate a birthday so we weren't skimping out. Wagyu was good quality. I felt it was worth it and will provide a better elevated experience than AYCE KBBQ if that's what you're hoping to get going here. I'd skip on the SOT sampler and spend the extra $$ on Wagyu Sampler. There was 9 of us. We got 2 of each sampler plate and one spicy noodle. More than enough food. We were stuffed. Next time I'd probably order the Wagyu sample plate for 3-4 people. Banchans are unlimited and the grilled kimchi is tasty. Really enjoyed their jalapeño pickled radish. The cooks can be a bit busy so even though they do cook your meat watch out for it as they let ours over cook a few times.

    wagyu platter
    Anthony D.

    Food: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 This Kbbq spot features traditional cast-iron cauldron grilling, with the staff handling all the cooking tableside. Tonight, four servers rotated between tables on our side of the restaurant, grilling meats and keeping everything running smoothly. While I appreciated the full-service grilling experience, I had mixed feelings about this dinning format. Reason being that at times, it felt like there was always someone flipping meat right in the middle of our conversation, which kinda took away from the intimacy of the dinner. To be fair, the staff wasn't hovering at the table the entire time. They would cook a round, step away, and give us a few peaceful minutes before returning. Still, at times I wished we could slow down, enjoy our conversation, and savor the meal at our own pace, as the experience felt a bit more rushed than relaxed overall. That said, our servers Heejeong and Brittany were genuinely pleasant and easy to talk to, and their attentiveness clearly reflected good service. As for the Wagyu Platter we ordered, the cuts were nicely marbled, with the short rib easily my favorite. And while the meat quality was definitely above average, I expected something closer to top-tier A5 wagyu at this price point. Overall, it's a decent option if you're looking for something different from the typical AYCE experience, but the premium pricing is a bit hard to justify based on the meat quality alone. The strong service helped bring this up to a 3.5-star rating..

    The Prime Sampler Plate
    Fevian M.

    The dining area is very spacious. And I love that they have photos with autographs of the famous people that came to visit their location. The staff was very friendly. Fast working and accurate. We were a total of 3 and ordered the Prime Sampler Plate for $145. The meat was of really good quality. All the sides come with your platter. Potato salad, kimchi, rice, cucumbers and sauces. I loved that they cook the meats for you. We will definitely be back!

    Prime sampler
    Cony L.

    I think this place is my fav Korean bbq place in SD. It's definitely pricey but it's very clean and service and food are good! We tried prime sampler plate but it wasn't much for our little family. But the food was pretty tasty and meat seems descent quality. Definitely will come back and try other things

    Finger ribs and grilled veg on the cast iron sot
    Bethany M.

    Excellent service (they grill for you, expertly), tender cuts (our favorites were the outside skirt, the garlic marinated beef, and the pork jowl), and tasty banchan (replenished on the house). This meal knocked it out of the park. The cast iron cooking surface is unique; I wish more K-BBQ restaurants in the U.S. would adopt it. It's low-smoke, and the meats cook more evenly/efficiently than they do on a traditional grill. The prime sampler was more than enough meat for two people, but we were gluttons and added a couple of extra à la carte cuts. No regrets! They were all terrific in their own right.

    Kristelle B.

    I was craving some quality Korean BBQ and been meaning to try SOT BBQ. I know it'll be more costly than other AYCE places but the quality of their meat is really up there as well as the cleanliness! The friendly staff cooks the meat for you and they were so efficient and organized. My husband and I shared the SOT sampler for $99. It came with three types of beef and pork belly. The ban chan and rice are already included and refillable. Between us two, the serving was generous. We loved all the cuts of meat! Might just be our new go-to spot for KBBQ in town.

    Sot sampler
    Vivien L.

    Ordered the Sot Sampler to share between 3 people and the portion was perfect with the sides. Glad they cooked for us too. We thought all the beef was good and the pork belly was below average. Wish we didn't end with pork belly.

    Alyssa N.

    It's a kbbq kinda day but you don't want to cook for yourself so, where do you go? SOT! My family and I were in a mood for kbbq and decided to try out SOT for the first time. We were seated immediately upon arrival. There was a pretty big variety of combos to choose from and we went with the SOT sampler plate. We figured the plate could feed 3 people well but I still wanted to add some cold noodles, kimchi stew, and steamed eggs because those are my goto. (I believe the steamed eggs were already part of the sampler plate?) Service was phenomenal and the staff were great. They not only cooked well but were super attentive and one of them chatted happily with us and explained to us the different things on the table which really elevated our dining experience. The soju cocktail was great and complemented the meal well (flavor recommended by the waitress). The restaurant is a nice size and we saw a number of corporate diners, friend group diners, and family diners which showed that this was a restaurant meant for all types of crowds. Food overall was great, service adding a cherry on top. I highly recommend trying and I will definitely be coming back soon. Overall Rating: Food: 10/10 Service: 11/10 Menu: 10/10 Restaurant Vibes: 10/10 Price to Overall Dining (POD): 10/10

    Justin C.

    Sometimes you just need to treat yourself. Whether it's after a long week or a friend's birthday this is the spot. Came here for premium KBBQ at SOT (not AYCE) and ordered the SOT sampler. This is an elevated experience where they cook the meats and veggies for you on the grill. For food: - Prime short rib - highlight of the meal. Rich, tender, and almost wagyu like - Ribeye - a bit on the chewy side compared to expectations. - Beef belly - really delicious, great flavor and texture. - Pork belly - solid - Mushrooms - simple but really good and juicy, absorbed the grill flavors nicely. The cooked kimchi and potato salad were standout banchan. The fried rice at the end was a great meal bookend. They mix it with the leftover meats and sides, which makes it super flavorful. You can also add cheese, which takes it in a richer direction. We were actually pretty full at this point and ended up taking most of it home. Service was mixed. Our server was very quiet and mostly hands-off. Kai who was also manning the front on the other hand, was excellent - stepped in to help cook, explained things, and brought energy to the table, which noticeably improved the experience. The interior of SOT is really nice and newly renovated. The ventilation is strong and I didn't feel the same eye burn from the bbq smoke that I usually have at other KBBQ joints. Overall, SOT had high-quality meats with a few real standouts. Service can vary, but when it clicks, the experience feels very premium and worth it.

    David M.

    Love the cast iron grills! Cooks the food very fast and the server comes to assist in preparation. When dining at a Korean BBQ restaurant, you tend to want to try all cuts of meat. Easy to do at this place but your final bill will be high. First time, you have to do this because you can then identify the cut that you want more of or will order mostly next time. Quality of meat is fantastic. Service was attentive. One of the better KBBQ restaurants in San Diego + parking is readily available.

    Mai H.

    Came here with a party of 4 and decided to go with the A++ Sampler Plate ($285). It was the perfect amount of food for our group. First things first: this is not AYCE, it's à la carte. The sampler option makes it easy to try a variety without over-ordering. The very first cut they put on the grill (can't remember the name, but I *believe* it's the A5 Wagyu Ribeye Thick Cut) was insanely good- super soft and literally melted like butter. The marbling on it was ridiculous. The rest of the meats were solid too. Loved the variety of banchan. They gave a lot of sides and it kept the meal interesting. Also appreciated that they cook the meat for you so you can just sit back and enjoy. Our server was nice, but like other reviews have mentioned, they seemed stretched between multiple tables. We ended up flipping some meats ourselves and pulling pieces off to avoid overcooking. A few cuts ended up more done than they should've been, which was a little disappointing given the price. Overall, it's on the pricier side, but you're paying for quality. Good for a nicer KBBQ night, just be prepared to step in and babysit the grill a bit.

    Brisket, Jowl and SOT sampler

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    Page 1 of 10

    SOT BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - SOT BBQ

    Are any items gluten free?

    You could stick to the non-marinaded meats. For banchans, stick to non fermented or marinated items.

    Dumb question? Is there any all-you-can eat options?

    No. Their Sampler platters would be the closest.

    Can you bring home leftover?

    No.

    How much is dining here on average for a party of 2? Party of 4? No beverages. Curious how it compares to other kbbq in that regard.

    I paid about $120 (tip included) for a party of 2 with no drinks. We ordered 2 portions of meat and fried rice.

    Do they cook the food at the table for you, or is that just for pictures on here?

    Yes they cook the meat at the table for you regardless of whether you take photos or not.

    Do i need a reservation?

    No you can walk in, there may be a a wait though

    For the price of the meat are the portion big at least? Haha and its per plate not all you can eat price?

    zero bugs.

    How many people does a sampler plate serve?

    Depends on the size of the plates from 2-10

    Are those prices per person?!

    No pricing is per item/plater. Pretty much everything is shareable.

    View All 11 Questions

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    Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado

    Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    6.5 mi
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    Okay, true believers, I might have run through a few different barbecue joints in my time here in…read moreSan Diego, and I have despaired of finding a place which could satisfy my itch without having to commit to hours of tending a fire at my own smoker. Today, I'm pleased to say I've found it. The brisket is nice and juicy. The mac & cheese is divinely creamy, and don't miss the pastrami. The folks behind the register and bar are very pleasant, and we got our food pretty quickly. It's also very kitschy here. There's a brass plaque someone might have lifted from Disneyland here, and I'm currently listening to Crystal Gayle. It's like a piece of my childhood just jumped into my brain.

    I was craving BBQ. And I've been wanting to try this place for a long time. But, I definitely feel…read morethis place was overly hyped up by food influencers. I liked some of the meats here, but others meats just weren't for me. We got a little bit of certain cuts of meat.. St. Louis cut ribs, tri-tip- brisket, and chorizo link, jalapeños cheddar link and their central Texas hot link. Mac and cheese and potato salad and coleslaw. My husband and I really enjoyed the brisket the sausage links, the potato salad and coleslaw. The tri-tip unfortunately was kinda dry and the ribs were a little tough. And the Mac and cheese were super garlicky. This bbq place is ok, it's nice and big and has a nice relaxing atmosphere. But I would stick to the brisket and hot links and the sides.

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    Bowlegged BBQ

    Bowlegged BBQ

    4.5
    (1k reviews)
    8.7 mi
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    After reading amazing reviews about Bowlegged BBQ (named after one of the owner's nickname), I came…read morewith two dear friends to celebrate their birthdays. As it happened it was one of the owner's birthday today. There was a strong and inviting community feel to this charming restaurant. I loved the backyard BBQ vibe. The décor is funky, quirky and I love it. Theres so much to look at, so much history and so many messages--and it's fun! As for the food, I noticed the brisket received some negative reviews. So I was hesitant to try this. However, I'm so glad I did. It was tender and succulent. I would order it again. The tri tip was amazing as were the baby backs. Yep, I'll be back for the baby backs. The Mac and cheese was ok. I prefer backed mac and cheese. But that's my preference. Im picky about greens and I really liked them. If you're looking for down home food an "Q" smoked by an amazing Pit Master, look no further than. Don't stop at the red lights. Z o o m over to Market St and get yourself a treat; and while you at it, say hi to Janette Maria (another owner). Her personality is the only spice you will need Sorry, I was so focused on my friends and the food that I didn't take any pictures. But there are plenty of cool photos on line.

    You can smell the delightful, smoky aroma of BBQ before you even see the entrance to the…read morerestaurant! It draws you in. The entrance of the restaurant doesn't give you a clue to the range of sensory delights in store for you. The inside front of the business has you thinking you are strolling through a primarily Black History Museum. Then, you reach the section of the restaurant where you place your order and you make some difficult choices from a broad range of menu items. Sydney was a huge help because you want some of everything- but of course you can't. So, with her help, we got our priorities in order. A hint to the wise - go early if you want their famous banana pudding. It sells out fast! Loved the decor - even the decorations in the bathroom are a sort of history lesson. This family- owned and operated restaurant has a backyard cookout vibe to it. A place where family and friends gather to enjoy grandma's baked beans, ribs, chicken, sweet tea and sweet potato pie. The music adds to the synergy of tasteful accents, great food, and family style dining at great prices. We are already thinking of friends we want to bring here. We had the privilege of an extended conversation with one of the owners, Maria Jeannette. She stopped by our table and before we knew it, we were talking about everything from family and education to thrifting. Sweet lady!

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    Inside
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    Sampler plate
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    Sides were ehhh but ribs were tender

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    Del's Hideout

    Del's Hideout

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Ordered 2 meat plate with cornbread and Texas toast. The cornbread was nice my Texas toast came out…read moresmooshed but was still tasty. I got pulled pork and the smoked meatloaf. The pulled pork was delicious and the smoked meatloaf had just the right amount of smoke. For sides, I got the bacon, potato salad and the Street corn. I've had both of these sides before and they hit just right each time. I also ordered the bourbon pecan pie to go. This is the first time having the bourbon pecan pie. I did find some shelves in it, which were a little unpleasant, but at least I know that it's real pecans. It does have a strong bourbon flavor so it may not be the best for kids. To drink, I got the guava lemonade. I arrived with my pup and we sat outside. Everybody was super dog friendly. They brought a nice bowl of water for my guy. I ended up taking 2/3 of my meal home because the portions are big enough for two.

    I read through a bunch of reviews, and I think that other reviewers capture many key points, so…read morerather than be redundant, my review is more of a comment for ownership/management (and caveat for vegans). Yes, I know it's a barbeque restaurant, so I didn't expect it to be overly vegan-friendly, and I checked ahead on options for the two vegans in our group of 8 - they looked sufficient (a veggie/Impossible burger, a vegan chicken sandwich, and fries not fried in beef tallow), so the vegans gave a thumbs up on my choice despite being a BBQ/meat-heavy menu. There are plenty of other options that are vegetarian, but not vegan. The problem is that the two items I mentioned are served on brioche buns...not vegan. We asked for optional bread choice and were told that the only option was white toast. So, in addition to removing the cheese and dairy-based sauces, had to settle for white toast or no sandwich bread at all. Not a deal-breaker, but certainly an opportunity for Del's to have some vegan-friendly options like a better bread and maybe a vegan sauce alternative. I (non-vegan) had the Reuben which comes on a nice marble rye - there are plenty of good rye breads that are dairy-free, but we were told that the rye was not vegan. Overall, I'd go back, but when in a group with various dietary restrictions, I'd avoid Del's. Just as an aside, my son (one of the vegans in our group) told me he went to Grand Ole BBQ in North Park, they had plenty of things he could eat, and he loved the food there...so take note CRG!

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    Main dining area
    Main dining area
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    Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

    Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    18.1 mi
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    Ria isn't just a bartender -- she's the whiskey whisperer, the cocktail queen, the tiny Hawaiian…read moreassassin behind the bar serving drinks so good they'll make you rethink your entire personality. Beautiful, hilarious, cool without trying, and somehow always wearing the most fire shoes in the building. She's the kind of bartender that turns "let's grab one drink" into "well damn, now we live here." Every cocktail was perfect, every recommendation hit, and her energy honestly makes the whole place. Protect Ria at all costs because that girl is a whole vibe. I Wish her all The health and the wealth and if yall don't give this woman a BONUS and a raise- i'm going on strike ;)

    This is an extremely family friendly restaurant. Inside seating for those who don't have kids, but…read moreoutside is prime. I would say the kids are a bit younger, maybe 18 months to 3. There must have been at least a dozen kids or more. I told my 7 year old son not to bring balls but of course other kids did. If you park in the back there is no doubt your car will get hit. But it's softballs, not baseballs. Service is legit. Fast, friendly. They're like get in, order, get out. But we stayed for probably an hour and a half. The live music was great, not too loud. I am sad to confess the food here is not as legit as I figured based on being a San Diego local and a big DDD watcher. It probably depends on which day you come, but on Thursday, the brisket was so average. Del's in Del Cerro is better. Smoky and the Brisket is better. I had my brisket served with that nacho cheese and relish, not nearly as great as I thought it would be based on DDD. I also don't drink anymore, but if I were to have had 2-3 beers + this dinner + the enviornment I would have loved it. My son gave a huge thumbs up to his burger, daughter liked her food. If you want an experience, have time you need to kill and have kids, it's a solid spot, but in no way is this a destination if you live west of the 15. Stick to classic spots.

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