Not much to look at from the outside, but very friendly staff. I would say its cafeteria style, you order at a window and then grab a table with your food. At these types of restaurants, im never really sure if you tip, but the excellent service and friendly demeanor. I wish i would have tipped more. Great job to the staff, read more

We wanted some barbecue. But didn't want to go out so opted to place a to-go order. This place happens to be a walk up and take your food to your seat sit down restaurant. The inside of the restaurant shows pictures of the family and how they have passed the restaurant on through the generations. One picture was of a young sailor and his wife. Given they are promoting that, I asked if they offered military discounts and was told no-sorry. So I had placed the order on the phone, I arrived, paid, and watched them make my order in front of me. The call-in was pointless. For my family of five, I paid over $50 for 2 pork sandwich plates, 3 ham sandwiches, a large fry, and a side of coleslaw. The food was nothing to write home about. The potato salad was tangy, the pork was bland. I thought the plates came with 2 sides and a roll or corn bread but only the 2 sides were included (despite what the website or menus says). My daughter was eating her side of coleslaw and pulled out a long dark hair from it. We are all blonde haired so no chance of it being our hair. We won't be coming back. read more

I went here on a Sat night and ordered bbq chicken....pork ribs....potato salad......macaroni salad.....and rolls. Every single item had something wrong with it. The chicken and ribs were dry; so obviously they were previously cooked and sold a couple days later. The bbq sauce had too much of the fake smoke flavoring in it. The rolls were on the hard side. The potato salad had undercooked potatoes. The macaroni salad was missing seasoning. It couldn't be more obvious that these guys are cutting corners on every single thing in the restaurant. So we'll never be going back. The concept is good (bbq). But the management is too unethical to run it properly. Oh well. Guess I'll stick to bbq'ing at home. read more

No wonder this place is always empty! I have tried it 3 times to give it a chance but they are way overpriced for cafeteria style beans and cole slaw. Their meat is decent but kind of dry and simple. I almost fell down when I ordered a beef sandwich with fries and it was over $10, are u kidding me?? The meat is dry and flavorless on a weak little bun. I finally and officially give up on this place after being disappointed 3 times. read more

I just want to say "THANKS" for the INCREDIBLE lunch! I was searching for something different (sick of Mexican food) because I eat the same thing almost every day.... BUT, my daughter and I stopped by here today and had the BEST lunch in a super long time. The 1/2 chicken plate was so flipping good... You can tell they put a lot of heart and soul into their food! So THANK YOU BBQ PIT!!! I/we will be back. read more

The 'Q BBQ that is. It is a damned dangerous thing when there is a really good bbq joint minutes from the house. On the way from work, we debated about the usual suspects of delivery and take-out versus the dwindling inventory of items in the house. From the back of my head, I remembered a bbq joint we were supposed to check out. Kiki suggested a veg night of take-out, videos and the games we picked up for the 360. Fine by freaking me! So we arrive at the BBQ Pit on Fletcher Highway. I could smell the smoke of a wood, I couldn't discern, but I knew it was a good sign. Good bbq is done over wood of some sort and that is a good sign indeed. We enter the joint and it's cafeteria style. You wait in line to make your order, then the meat is chopped up, sides placed on your plate and you move onto desserts and payment. The line reaching toward the door was another good sign. No one waits in line for shitty food. We look over the menu and settle on a slab of pork ribs, baked beans and potato salad to go. All told, our haul was only $25. 4 or 5 people could easily feast on the haul we took home. Or 2 people for 2 sittings. haha! As we approach our order area, we spy a ham being carved up. Juices are seeping out of the meat (how is that for imagery?), and every slice looks as juicy as the last. While we waited someone brought fresh slabs of ribs. What seemed to be the pit master mopped the ribs. At home after close inspection, I think these were Carolina-style ribs. Minimal seasons, with a marinade mopped on top. The smoke ring was prominently pink. The meat was really good at first, but tending to dry out. And while we saw people seated with rolls, didn't get any! Don't deprive me of carbs dammit!! read more

Okay, when people talk BBQ the popular opinion is Phil's by the Sports Arena. Just ask my son. I have to disagree. I for one prefer the BBQ here at Barbecue Pit. First off, I am not a real big fan of my meat that is just drenched with sauce. I prefer it on the side. To me, if you are drenching your ribs or chicken with sauce then you are hiding the real deal. The meat. Don't believe the hype. The Pit is where it's at. I have tried both their beef ribs and chicken at the Pit. Both are mouth watering and flavorful. Just writing about it makes me hungry for some BBQ. The sauce is on the side where it should be. It's more of a smokey flavor not super sweet like Phil's. Their sides are great- baked beans and corn of the cob are my favorite. Not over complicated sides but not ordinary either. Just exactly the way it should taste. This place is old school. Nothing fancy but clean. The service is good. The food portions are big and the check won't kill you. This is honest to goodness great BBQ. To further back up my claim. I ate at Phil's today for lunch. Instead of writing the praises of their BBQ. I am compelled to write about how the Pit is better. Try it for yourself and you be the judge. read more

Really people?? The best BBQ in SD??? Excuse me....but.......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! If this is the best BBQ in SD, I'm moving back to LA!! Ok, I'll be serious for a moment....their meat is delicious and tender. I got the small rib meal and they asked if I wanted to taste the roast beef and ham after I asked what was the most popular sammie. They gave me a couple of small slices of both. Very nice and a smart thing to do. Meat was flavorful, smoky and tender. The meat fell off the bones. And THE nicest two peeps behind the counter. But that is where my compliments end. I really don't care how tender and delicious the meat is anywhere as long as the sauce rocks. I like dry rub too on my BBQ, but I'm still gonna dip it in the sauce. So the sauce needs to rock and I consider myself somewhat of a sauce aficionado. I can even tell you what the best bottled sauces are....I still think Bulls-eye makes some of the best bottled sauces. And sweet, thick and smoky is how I like my sauce. The sauce at the Pit was thin, runny, bland and tomato...ey..ok, not a word, but you know what I mean. Yuck! I thought it was almost embarrassing to call this a BBQ sauce. C'mon fellow Yelpers...I'm starting to doubt if I can trust your reviews anymore! At least I've been to Phils which I thought was pretty damn good, but that was a couple of years ago, need to go again. I'm new to living down here. But I remember I loved the sauce there. Even Tony Romas has a great Blue Ridge Smoky Sauce...I don't like their basic sauce, but at least they have 4 other choices. Wish the Pit had that. I swear, I liked their meat so much, I actually thought about coming back and bringing some Bulls-eye with me! I ordered the 3 pork rib (no baby backs here) meal with fries and beans. The beans SUCKED big time. How do you screw up BBQ beans?? No flavor, runny, I took two bites and I was done with those. The fries were decent, but only decent. The roll they give you with it was a doughy piece of crap. I'm sorry to be dissing a place that so many of you grew up with and still love. Especially when the staff there were so nice! But I won't be coming back, and I don't understand how places like this survive for so many years. And not to be dissing you again, but I have to think that it is only because places like this last because most of the people that eat there just haven't had anything better! Do yourselves a favor and get to Phils or Tony Romas. BBQ is my favorite thing on the planet...so I'm pretty damn picky. Word to the wise traveling to LA or more specifically the San Fernando Valley. Try Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ on Sepulveda in Van Nuys...AMAZING!!!!! I'm sure they're reviewed on here..have to go give them props. They are considered one of the top BBQ places in the country!! read more

A long time customer of this place founded in 1947. I just called and asked to order a Ham for a thanksgiving potluck at my office. The lady answering the phone at 1:45pm today (Monday) seemed to care less about my question on a ham pickup for this week. In fact, the women told me she could not take my order and to call back later. Really folks? I guess I'll look for another Ham. I hope their not under new ownership. read more

I grew up eating at The BBQ Pit in La Mesa and have always enjoyed the food. They put together a pretty respectable sauce and the baked beans are tasty. Also great and hearty soups- the three bean w/ ham being the best I've had. Problems do abound however. Portions, especially for the BBQ beef and pork sandwiches are woefully small. A ghetto ass grocery store bun with a few measly slabs of pork or beef just doesn't cut it, and it's not at all cheap. A huge problem I've also found is that they don't seem to bother to remove the papery membrane from the back of the ribs, which is just plain lazy and sloppy in my book. Not that I don't enjoy a good rustic backyard style to my ribs from time to time, but is it so hard to grab that with a pair of pliers and rip it off before cooking? No, it isn't... I have such fond memories of this place that I hate to really bash it, but to be honest the BBQ Pit really doesn't in any way compare to Phil's BBQ in terms of taste and especially for portions and price. This will always be a local La Mesa favorite, but if you want much better ribs and bang for your buck Phil's is more than worth the drive. Sorry BBQ Pit, but I gotta be real here... 3 stars for my childhood nostalgia, not necessarily the food. read more

Not bad, not good... This is a classic place, i remember my dad bringing home platters of ribs, ham and beef along with their bomb sauce and some mac salad and beans when we 1st moved to San Carlos. This place was good. Now, its ok. I would never turn down a meal here, but wouldn't beg to go here like before. The ham is still the real deal and the sauce is awesome. The ribs kinda fell off and the beef last two times was dry and fatty. read more

The people were very friendly, location is not an issue and I very much enjoyed the flavor. Reminded me of a similar bbq sauce closer to my area that I really enjoy. Now the reason that I marked it down so many stars. There was a lady that came in fire her shift and changed shoes behind the counter not far from the food. sloughing off the dirt and whatever else feom the bottom of her feet so she didn't get her socks dirty she puts them and her shoes on. Quickly she jumps up to start helping the other employees. I would not have gotten any food had she touched it. Once rules are set for employees on washing their hands before they touch food (which I saw get do afterwards) then this place would receive 5 stars. That was just gross so I had to really ding the stars read more

Continues to serve consistent, satisfying smoked meat at a reasonable price. A generous beef sandwich with a side of excellent coleslaw, or fries and a fountain drink for under $9. Where can you get that these days? This is old school, don't expect modern or fancy, but the beef and coleslaw and split pea soup satisfy my soul. read more

I had heard this place had some of the best bbq in san diego county, so I finally tried it out today. NASTY! I mean, I'm not one of those barbeque purists who are never satisfied with anything, Outback ribs are ok by me, but this place is truly bad. I got the beef, ham, and rib plate. I asked for mashed potatos and baked beans for the 2 sides ... when I got home I realized it was cold macaroni salad and baked beans. Ok, maybe I didn't say it clearly or something. So, a summary of each item: macaroni salad: i hadn't eaten all day so I was hungry and ate this first. It actually wasn't too bad, I guess. Just typical back yard macaroni salad. bbq beans: really good. large plump pinto beans in a rich spicy dark brownish-red sauce. Yum. dinner roll: pre-bought, cold, basic cheap little roll. sliced ham: Not bad, but extremely salty. I am actually someone who uses a lot more salt than a lot of people I know, and this ham was s-a-l-t-y. sliced beef: Again not bad, but sort of bland. This one needed salt lol. It was overdone too - barely any pink to be found, let alone red. pork ribs: sooo good. smelled like bacon. i suppose I was supposed to get two, but one of the "ribs" was like this thin triangular shell at the end of the ribs that had nothing edible on it - just some tiny pieces of bone and a thick plasticy skin of cartiledge or something. oh well. And last but of course most important, the bbq sauce: DISGUSTING! I was so happy when I saw that they gave me a big thing of sauce on the side, but I just couldn't eat it. It's a red sweet sauce, which is ok, but I swear it tastes like they buy premixed "pumpkin pie spice" in bulk and dump a ton of it into this sauce. It smells and tastes almost exactly like pumpkin pie with tomato sauce instead of pumpkin pulp. I mean, I like pumpkin pie fine, I like ginger, I like cloves, but ew no NOT IN BARBEQUE SAUCE. This sauce is the worst crap I have ever had. Never again. Never again. read more

The barbecue sauce here is simply amazing. They offer a number of combinations that include things like ribs, ham, chicken and your choice of sides (beans, fries, potato salad, etc.) Pretty basic stuff. Eating here is nice, kind of cafeteria-ish, but lately I just stop in to order a container of sauce for my own use when I grill for football or whatever. AV read more

It was my first time and they were very helpful with guiding me on what my first choice would be and it was amazing! I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the beef sandwich with a side of coleslaw, baked beans and Mac n cheese! We loved it! read more

I was raised on the BBQ Pit. Their bbq sauce is the best ever for french fry dipping- I cannot get enough! Their food is good ol' basic southern bbq done right. Nothing fancy, no frills, just good bbq. The soups are really yummy as well. And they have a big ol' selection of deserts usually too. This place just brings back really good memories of being little, looking at all of the western decor and sparkly ceilings, all while eating good comfort food. And a plus- Baskin Robbins is just next door! SCORE! read more

I was crushed when I went in to get some coleslaw for my BBQ ribs. The smiling staff was qucik and friendly, however the slaw was bland, warm and if I didn't actually see it, I would not have thought I was eatting coleslaw. This place seems empty all the time or at least when I drive by it, I rarely see more than two people inside at any given time. I'm not sure how they can stay in business with tasteless food and an empty dinning area. read more

Mouth watering BBQ beef! Pork ribs were tasty, about a 7 out of 10. The macaroni salad was a bit sour, but less mayonnaise"-Y", which was good....but I think ill stick with the sandwiches next time. Fabulous and friendly customer service!! read more

My cousins decided to try this place for our family gathering. We have a big family so we had to do a catering order. I'm not sure if that's what made it a bad experience with them or what but I think the damage is done and I don't want to try it again. The BBQ sauce was a little too runny. I like mine a little thick. The beef was good but didn't have that much favor to it but the flavor I did taste was excellent. I'm a texture person so I was a little iffy about it because it tasted like they only boil their meat. Some sides were better than others but nothing to knock my socks off. Maybe some day I'll go in and give them another try but until then I have to stand by my one star review :( read more

Outstanding family owned BBQ. It blows away Phils and the Pioneer. Today I ordered fresh cut, succulent beef w a coleslaw side. When my friend and I left a huge line had formed. The meats were all slow cooked and excellent. Their coleslaw is the best in town read more

The Barbecue Pit - Beef for the sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I have been coming here to the BBQ Pit since I was a little girl. This is an amazing place! The sauce is what gets you hooked and the beef??!! TERRIFIC! It is nothing fancy, it has a rustic, country feel. Service is great and they are really friendly! Bummer they are closed Sundays BUT she grab your food sat night and use it for Sunday! Just as good!! Try this place Or any other location...you'll LOVE it just as much as I do! :) read more

For San Diego, this place has some pretty darn good barbecue. I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew that I was in the mood for some hearty grub. I went here. Dropped a little over $30 for a full slab of pork ribs and a beef plate. The GF wanted baked beans and potato salad so I was forced to stick with those two choices. What more did I need? The beans were decent, not spectacular but pretty yummy. The potato salad was kinda nasty though. Tasted like it had been sitting out in the sun for awhile; a little warm too. But I came here for the barbecue. Yes indeed. The ribs. Hm mm. I didn't expect to to have to put my own sauce on the meat. I hoped that they would have cooked the sauce into the meat and then allowed me to add more. The meat was a little on the dry side. It came off the bone easily with a fork though. It was as if they slow cooked the meat without seasoning. Without the sauce, the meat was unbearable. But the sauce was like... Ker-POW! The sauce is absolutely delicious. Another thing that made me happy was that the Barbecue Pit staff was more than generous with their sauce. Since my order was to go, they gave me about a pint of sauce to take home. I still have sauce left over, which I am going to use on my own 'cue tonight =) The Barbecue Pit has some pretty bad ass barbecue. Best in San Diego? Probably not. Just a tad under Phil's BBQ. Second best barbecue in San Diego? Definitely. read more

It is more like the BBQ Pit's! If you think that this is "AWESOME" or "the best!!!" BBQ you have ever tasted, I think its time for a road trip to Memphis or St. Louis. Between my family and I, we had the pork and beef ribs, sliced ham and beef, the cole slaw, fries, and baked beans. The highlights: the beans and the sauce, and they were marginal at best. The meats were dry and the only flavor they had came from dunking it in the sauce. The sauce was sweet and tangy, close to a Carolina vinegar base BBQ sauce. The traditional BBQ terminology like: smoke ring, bark, dry rub, fall of the bone, juicy, and tender do not really cross my mind when rating the food here. The beans had good flavor, but were under cooked in my opinion. I might consider having sandwich here, however I would be using their sauce very liberally. I would recommend the BBQ House in Ocean Beach or from what I hear Phil's BBQ in San Diego. read more

Great BBQ and friendly staff. Nice, rustic BBQ house atmosphere. Sides are tasty but minimal. Pretty good overall. My fav is the #1 BBQ Beef Plate. Heaven on a plate. I've never had the ribs, however. They always run out of ribs by time I get there! Maybe someday i will get there early enough for ribs. read more

As a big eater of BBQ food in general I have to say this place is great. Simple, old fashioned place with nice family atmosphere. The meat is well prepared, good sauce. I ate the Ham & Beef plate with a Hot Link on the side. The Pulled Pork is good too. Cafeteria style service. There is a Baskin Robins next door which is awesome. Not in a nice part of town. They should consider moving again to newer area. Downside to this place would be the sides. Very basic and plain options...Beans, Coleslaw, Mac Salad, Fries. I feel a true BBQ place should offer better sides like Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Sweet P. Cass., Cornbread, etc. Overall a better experience than Phils. Way Cheaper than Brett's or Bull's BBQ. OPEN ON MONDAYs like a restaurant should....take note Phil and Smokin Joe! read more

Solid BBQ, as always! I've been to BBQ Pit a number of times and have always been satisfied with their no-nonsense, old-fashioned approach to genuine BBQ. On a recent visit, I placed an order for a lunch meeting I was hosting at a nearby contractors' office. I was expecting eight attendees, so I ordered three racks of baby back ribs, a pound of sliced beef, a pound of ham, BBQ sauce, cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad and bread. The total came to $125 - a bargain considering all the food I got. Everyone raved about the food - it was hit and when you are trying to impress clients, having a memorable lunch goes a long way. The BBQ sauce was on the side, so make sure you grab some spoons so people can smother their meats. Otherwise, some of them can start to get dry pretty fast. The staff was very helpful and friendly in getting the order put together on time, and they even helped me load it into my car. If you do happen to dine in, keep in mind that place is practically a historical landmark in El Cajon - it's old and it shows. But that old charm just adds to the homey feel you get when you're digging into their good old-fashioned BBQ. read more

I was food crabby to the point of plotting the death of random pedestrians for the crime of existing when we stopped at this place. It seemed kind of dingy and haphazard on first glance, but I know not to count a place out for that. It is cafeteria style, but the chef dude was super nice as he slopped together our food. I dug the pictures on the wall as I waited and the historical narratives underneath were cool... Apparently this place has been open in almost every San Diego city at some point or another since its beginnings in the 40s, and is still family owned! Prices were great and the portions just right, with $20 filling us both up and stopping the mad hunger demon who was threatening to take over me. ... (Note: I wrote this a few months ago on my phone. Apparently Yelp never posted it? Ah well) read more

I've been coming here for almost 15 years. Its a nice family resturant that has not changed much. The food is pretty good and the people are really nice. We have also been to events and weddings they have catered and the food is always good. The BBQ sauce is probably the best I've had. I normally go for the large beef plate or a beef sandwich and if I didnt work so far from the place, would probably frequent more often. The sides are pretty good. I really like the beans. Its definetly not a sports bar feel and I always see lots of families when I go there. read more

Pretty good BBQ. I am a huge fan of Phil's BBQ, so I didn't expect this place to compare much. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was pretty good. Just wish they had some more side options (like onion rings, etc). Prices were reasonable, and the food was good. read more

Been going there for a few years now and it is the best beef sandwiches, sauce and sides or BBQ ribs too!! A little on the expensive side, but well worth it ! When I get a craving, I will drive about 6 miles to get there. I highly recommend it and the BBQ baked beans! Yummy !!! Enjoy the BBQ !! Tell them John sent you!! read more

First things first: Their coleslaw is AMAZING. Best I've ever had. I crave it all the time. I'm going to cry about it when we move away.... ... Okay maybe not really. I'll shed a tear though. :P Anyways, this place is half way legit. It emulates classic southern BBQ restaurants, and my Floridian husband likes it a lot. Tasty sides, I recommend the coleslaw (of course), potato salad, and baked beans. Pulled pork is drenched in BBQ sauce which isn't typical in the south, but it is really tasty none the less. The beef is very good too... tastes great as leftovers. Also you can buy a pint of coleslaw for $3.95. The Pit isn't on the same caliber as Phil's BBQ's friendly and jovial atmosphere or really great prices with generous portions, but the BBQ at the Pit is good enough to satisfy that BBQ itch... I would give only 3 stars but that is some 5 star COLESLAW. YUM YUM YUM. Did I mention to try the coleslaw? You should. :) read more

The food here is a good bbq comfort food and the meat is separate from the sauce so you can choose how much to use.

this place is great if you have no taste buds...so basically for really old people that like their food bland and ...well, bland! If you want some good BBQ, come over to my house and i'll make you the best you've every had! Famous Daves is a second to my BBQ :) read more

Even though family members of mine have gone to Barbeque Pit locations since the 1950's, and even though the food is generous for a good price, there's one reason I don't go very often: Their "bottleneck" ordering system has led, for the last several visits, in waiting as long as 20 minutes behind ONE individual who is trying to order for a family, but doesn't have the order together or any concern for the long line of people piling up behind. The restaurant staff ARE very nice, patient people, as some of the other reviewers have said. Unfortunately that patience is backfiring. What is typically happening is that one group "representative" sees other customers coming in the door and races to the counter to order without having a clue what her friends actually want to eat. They then holler back and forth trying to sort this out. The restaurant needs to solve this problem if it wants to attract customers who value their time. It may need to modify its system and take a table order when you have a number of people who refuse to stand in line, or it may need to pull these people aside and have a second employee get the order on paper before it gets to the cashier and kitchen. read more

I got a #5 plate featuring beef, ham, two pork ribs, macaroni salad, potato salad (almost potato soup), and a dinner roll I could only describe as fit for a prison cafeteria. The quick review is, "meh". Overall the food was bland. The BBQ sauce was given to me in a separate bowl and wasn't all that great... kinda runny and no real distinctive BBQ flavor. The meat tasted like it had been sitting around for a while. By the time I was near the end of my meal, the beef had dried up considerably. In my experience, places that have been around for 40+ years like The Barbeque Pit have lost the will to innovate or improve. Lots of people were getting take out orders though. I'd much more recommend Phil's BBQ in the Sports Area area or Lightnin' Jack's BBQ in Clairemont Square... both whose BBQ food is much fresher and better tasting. read more

Great place. The food is always good, and seldom disappoints. This place is very old school, with no frills.

Been coming here since I was a little girl... now I bring my kiddos to enjoy the best BBQ in town. The service is always friendly and welcoming. The food is the real star tho!! The ribs (beef or pork) are simply amazing. I love the fries, potato salad and I can't forgot the ham and beef sandwich, just good simply yummy food done perfectly. Seriously people eat here!!!! It's family owed and really good! read more

If you like Amazing BBQ, this place is for you! Basically it's like a cafeteria. You walk in and are immediately thrown into a line which forms a U shape. At the apex of the line, you order you food. A few steps over to the left and they give you your food. Then go a little farther and you get all the extra fixins you ordered. Make another U in the opposite direction for sodas and other drinks. The food is good and you can actually feel the cholesterol being absorbed by your stomach--then after you eat, you get that guilty pleasure feeling. It's kinda like damn, you really shouldn't have had all that damn meat, but you stuffed yourself because it was so damn good. Then the feeling that your arteries are clogging with plaque. Then you stumble out the door and think.. "Holy crap, a Baskin Robins next door? This is a good day." BBQ Pit is definitely my kind of awesome dining. Take a woman here on the first date and if she eats this crap, you know it was meant to be. read more

Nathan C. and I were cake tasting for our wedding next door at Flour Power; so much sugar in a short amount of time. As soon as we walked out the door, we inhaled the smokey BBQ wafting from the Barbecue Pit, and our over sugared taste buds demanded we get some lunch to go. I had the BBQ beef sandwich plate, which came with slaw and potato wedge fries. No complaints at all, but I also was nursing my poor tongue back to full health. It wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, but it wasn't the worst either. I feel that way about most BBQ places in San Diego, though. I miss Famous Dave's. read more