This was my first experience with Up In Smoke Catering and from start to finish, it was exemplary. CJ was great to get information from and Brenda handled the food order which was so well received. My guests all raved about the pulled chicken and pork , Mac n Cheese and cornbread. It was all so delicious!! There was plenty of food in the order. Everything was carefully and thoughtfully packaged for our pick up. Their online invoice/payment system was a breeze. I will be using Up In Smoke for my future catering needs. You should too! read more

Ohh shout out to Up in Smoke BBQ! We have ordered from them many times going back to San Marcos. Their food is delicious and the portions are huge. We ordered a bit late tonight but they put the order through. They were out of the chili so substituted their mac and cheese which is delish! They even put in a sweet note to let us know they substituted and gave us a larger portion and a some little extras. Hub got the two meat combo and I had the pulled pork sandwich. Best BBQ in North County! I have enough leftovers for two more sandwiches! Thank you Up in Smoke for the delicious food and great customer service. Sorry if we kept you open a little late. read more

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Family owned business. It's a small restaurant in Downtown Escondido that has been opened at end of Nov. 2024. They had a previous location in San Marcos. Huge portions enough to share!! Mouthwatering, wholesome BBQ with generous, heaping portions!! Featured in the video: Stack 'O' Meat "Seasoned smoky potato chips topped with all three of our smoked meats! Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork and Chicken. Over a pound of meat on this baby! Throw on some cheese, seasoned black beans, salsa and top it all off with our mouthwatering cilantro lime dressing." read more

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The food was really good my wife is super picky about meat and mac n cheese. We had baked beans sliders. Super small spot mostly for catering but super good for a quick lunch friendly service and a cool little nook on Grand. Love small spots like this. read more

Ordered "THE UP IN SMOKE SANDWICH" Pretty large portions I have to say! The beef brisket was juicy and the combination of coleslaw was perfectly balanced. We ordered the strawberry lemonade, passion fruit lemonade and watermelon lemonade. The drinks were priced reasonably, 32 oz for $7.50. Chili was really good!!! Mac and cheese was good but did nothing to write home about. Service was quick. Only one small table inside and a side bar to sit to eat. Most of the seating is outside. There are no contain fountain drinks. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - "THE UP IN SMOKE SANDWICH" - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

Up In Smoke BBQ is a great option on Grand Avenue in Escondido! The perfect comfort food to put you into a calorie coma in the best possible way. The service is ultra-friendly and you can't go wrong with a no-frills "BBQ joint" vibe. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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I'm so happy they opened after closing their San Marcos location, and by chance I found they had reopened in Escondido! My sister and I absolutely love their brisket chilie hot dog and the corn bread. Everything still as delicious. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Brisket chilie hot dog with a side of corn bread. Peach sweet tea and a strawberry lemonade for our drinks. - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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We heard through a Facebook group that they had reopened in Escondido after closing in San Marcos. We went to check it out on a weekday. They are located around lots of street parking and plenty of other businesses. They have a small dining area as well as a few outdoor tables. The food was just as good as the last time we had it. We opted for the one choice platters. We highly recommend the Mac n cheese as a side . The menu has slightly changed from the restaurant as shown. Reasonably priced, friendly staff, amazing BBQ. The best BBQ we've had in the north county area to date. read more

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So when you're in a place you don't know you go for YELP! After my nieces graduation we were looking for something to eat in San Marcos. YELP TO THE RESCUE!! This is the coolest little dive. If you blink you will miss it. It sits off the Main Street so look closely. The ambiance is relaxed with outdoor and indoor seating. Our service was superb. Out server Michelle ( I believe that's her name was great. Attentive and friendly. The food....what can you say when the name of the misters burrito was "big booty"... My burger was delicious and his burrito superb. I almost forgot to mention my paradise tea which was delicious. We found a cool little gem and we will definitely be back. read more

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Delicious! Big serving size. Mac & cheese W/Brisket: You can taste all of the different cheeses, brisket sauce was a little sweet & the meat was falling apart, & the corn bread was great too! read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Mac & cheese W/Brisket - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

We were looking for a little something different, while visiting family in San Diego. We decided on BBQ and found the Up in Smoke place on Yelp. We arrived and placed two pretty large orders. We were hungry, but the amount of food was so much that we took it back to my BF's family and it fed 4 more people. The brisket was my favorite, delicious with their BBQ sauce. Good BBQ cannot be beat and was happy that we gave this spot a try. read more

I ordered the 1/2 lb pulled pork on a roll with coleslaw topping and a side of mac and cheese--and wow, was I impressed. The pork was absolute perfection: tender, flavorful, and had a beautiful smoky taste. It was sauced just right--not overly sweet--and they even included extra BBQ sauce on the side. It had so much flavor that even my man who usually doesn't like BBQ, devoured the whole thing! The mac and cheese was clearly fresh and had great flavor. If I could find something to improve, the mac and cheese needed just a touch more creaminess, but it was still very enjoyable. Overall, a seriously satisfying meal--I'll definitely be back! read more

AMAZING!!!!!! Up in smoke has been a favorite bbq place. Not only is the food so good but the portions are generous and the people are fantastic. Location has small amount of inside seating but we were told they're adding more soon and picnic tables outside. Perfect place to come with friends for good bbq. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Brisket burnt ends - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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Good quality bbq and it came out so quickly!! The only reason I only gave it four stars is because I have had better bbq. But for close proximity this place is great! read more

I've been wanting to try Up In Smoke for a while now and finally made the decision to stop by when I was in the area. The parking lot is fairly small but I'm sure it's okay to park in the lots next door after business hours. The building itself is a little hidden from the main road but overall can be found if following Google maps. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and told to sit wherever we would like. We were then brought popcorn to snack on while we reviewed the menu and made our decisions. I decided to try the pulled chicken sandwich with fries. My mom chose the two meat plate and had the burnt ends and sliced brisket. She chose the mac and cheese as her side. Once the food arrived, we were so excited to try it out as we kept seeing dishes come out which all looked phenomenal. I really enjoyed my sandwich as it had great flavor and lots of chicken! The fries were crispy and delicious. I did try the mac and cheese and will have to say that it's definitely good. I did not try the meats since I don't eat beef but my mom seem to really enjoy them. Service and food are exceptional. The BBQ sauce was okay. Not my favorite but everyone seems to really enjoy it. The wait for our food was also a little long but overall worth it. Will I be returning?? Yes, most definitely. My fiancé really wants to try them since it's not super common to be able to order burnt ends in the area. read more

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You do not need my review as there appears to be an abundance of reviews here on yelp. Very disappointing to say the least. The people were very nice but the food was so bad that I actually threw it away! There were globs of fat in it but there was a lot of meat. It was too strong for me but my main concern was the fat. This place will not make it so enjoy it while you can! Again, the people were very nice, helpful and friendly. The food was terrible! read more

I cannot recommend this place enough! They catered lunch for my office (60 people) with a days notice. It was delicious! Probably the best BBQ I have had. All my staff was raving about how good it was and asking where I ordered it from. Briana and her sister were so helpful. They are already asking when we are having it again :) read more

Hidden gem! We came in on a weekday for dinner & everything tasted delicious. The front entrance has a saloon style doors & plenty of seating inside or out. It's right next to Bowlero so great bowling & bbq date idea. Sihara was extremely helpful & kind. We ordered the saucy fries, platter with chopped brisket, pork belly sliders (2 strips of pork belly per slider), boneless wings (honey bbq & dry rub). Also did not order any additional sides or appetizers other than the fries which were seasoned and crispy. Our food was made to order and this place will be on my list whenever I'm in a bbq mood. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Dry Rub/ Honey BBQ Boneless Wings - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

I had a craving for some BBQ and this came up as 1 of the best in the area and had many good Yelp reviews from some fellow Yelp Elites so I decided to give it a try. Located near the bowling alley in San Marcos right off San Marcos BLVD so easy to get to from the 78 freeway. The parking lot is kind of small for a restaurant but plenty of surrounding businesses so I am assuming they all share some overflow parking. Luckily we got there early enough that there were 2 spots left. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and told we could sit anywhere. It was early and it looked like only 1 person serving and taking orders but she was managing the few tables and to go orders. We got some freshly popped popcorn while we waited. It was covered with some red powder maybe paprika or a chili powder and it was tasty. I decided to try the California dreamin burrito for $17. It was huge and delicious. It is filled with French fries and the burnt ends of the brisket. Some of the pieces of meat are HUGE. So glad I decided to try this and get my BBQ fix all in a convenient burrito package. There was a perfect blend of crunch, savory, meaty goodness. I also decided to try the side of mac and cheese for $12, it said large, and it was. It is a meal all by itself. Pretty tasty but a little too much milky creaminess, I like the more dry cooked cheese. The person I was with got the brisket platter with chili and a side salad. The chili was infused with HUGE pieces of brisket too. He was very happy and thought it was delicious. He was definitely happy to try some good BBQ while visiting So Cal. read more

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Absolutely some of the best BBQ you'll get. Fantastic service. We've been a few times, and right before the Thanksgiving holiday the owner brought us some free egg nog pie and it was amazing. The BBQ itself is very well done, with that perfect mix of Smokey and flavoring. read more

I AM SO HAPPY I HAVE FINALLY FOUND A YUMMY BBQ PLACE NEAR ME!!! I was starting to lose hope and was expecting to be disappointed by yet another North County BBQ joint when we were waitlisted for bowling next door. We decided to wait it out with a BBQ dinner so we grabbed a table on the patio. Our lovely waitress brought over seasoned popcorn (YUM) while we looked at the menu. I ordered a Julian hard cider which honestly paired SO perfectly with their BBQ sauce!!!! For an app we started with the Saucy Fries-- I can't say anything other than they were PERFECTION! The perfect fry with the perfect pairing of BBQ sauce and what I assumed was a homemade aioli If you are a fry fanatic, these are a MUST!!! For main, we got the platter with brisket and pork ribs, a side of cornbread and a bonus side of dinner rolls. The meat? TENDER AF. SO FLAVORFUL! The perfect smokey flavor and then we dipped it in their BBQ sauce... just HEAVEN! Also, can we just talk about how dang tasty their BBQ sauce is!!! I love a BBQ sauce that is versatile and will taste bomb on any meat you put it on, and THIS is it!!!! Can't wait to go back and indulge some more. Generous portions and is perfect for sharing. I wonder if they sell their BBQ sauce? read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Platter with brisket, pork ribs, side of cornbread & a bonus side of dinner rolls + seasoned popcorn - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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Came on a Sunday about 1pm. Bummed they were out of quite a few meats, good for them but bad for us as brisket and burnt ends were not available. Prices were pretty good, portions were good amount too. We shared the pulled pork sliders and the pile of fries was nice. Several side selections and it came with a delicious coleslaw We would be back but making sure they had both meats mentioned above read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - One of the two sliders - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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Tried their food truck for the first time. It was just okay. The beef brisket sandwich was better than the pork. Pulled pork sandwich was soggy and bland, no smokiness at all. $20 for two sandwiches with potato chips and a side of beans. Customer service was good. read more

Tried this place out for the first time and unfortunately, we won't be returning. They had great customer service and were very nice, however, the food didn't match in terms of quality. The beef ribs were dry and burnt. Expected more for the price we paid. The ribs were really hard to chew. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Beef SAB Beef Back Ribs (1/2 Rack) - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

Ordered takeout from the restaurant and was not disappointed. Previously, I'd only eaten from their food truck. Not surprisingly, the restaurant menu is far more extensive than the truck's offerings. In fact, the restaurant has a huge menu. There's no getting around it: the place really is hidden and hard to find but the food is so good, it's well worth seeking out. They've got a really nice patio, by the way, and plenty of indoor sighting, too, along with a bar counter. We tried the pork sliders, the Big Booty Burrito, and a side of beans. Everything was great. The side of beans costs $3 but they are EXCELLENT. There was even a delicious hunk of tender meat in the beans container. The sliders come with very nice coleslaw and a side. For the side, we went with the onion rings and they were crisp and not greasy at all. The sliders were really nice. The meat is incredibly tender. The Big Booty Burrito is like the stoner offspring of a California burrito and a southern BBQ plate. The thing is ENORMOUS and weighed over 2 pounds--seriously. I weighed it at home. It's made with pork butt, coleslaw, French fries, onion rings, cheese, and I can't remember what else, all wrapped in the biggest tortilla on earth. You get cups of BBQ sauce on the side. It's tangy and sweet but not too sweet. Very good BBQ here. The place was hopping on a cold Sunday night so, hidden or not, the smart folks know where to find good food. read more

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DO NOT CATER FROM THESE PEOPLE THEY STOLE $400 FROM ME & ARE AVOIDING ME I ordered $400 worth of food for my sons birthday party that ended up being cancelled due to weather reasons. At first NICK was being very friendly and fast with his responses as far as providing an estimate and asking for payment immediately. Which I did, no problem. On March 9th (48 hours before pick up) Unfortunately the weather made us cancel our outside event. At first I requested a refund and to book on a later date when the date was actually decided. But NICK insisted a credit will be issued (Never received any sort of confirmation for this) and I could contact him even in a month if I needed to, to reschedule. I reached out One more time to ask for a refund, explaining my reasoning....that was on March 16th. These people refuse to answer my email or even pick up the phone. NICK BENNET and this entire restaurant are unprofessional and will take your money knowing they won't give it back. We decided to do a small owned restaurant since we know they're more in need and would feel good that the money went somewhere meaningful....But this? This is down right being an asshole. ANYWAYS day 5 now and no response or any type of contact has been attempted for my refund. They basically told me they'd hold onto my money and now aren't giving it back even tho they didn't provide ANY TYPE OF CANCELLATION POLICY UPON BOOKING. read more

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First time here and it was pretty good. Upon arriving, I wasn't sure if we were supposed to wait in the front or just walk in. I wanted to get the 3 meat platter, but ended up just getting two: The Pork spareribs and chopped brisket. They were out of the sliced brisket and pork belly (both of which I really was looking forward to!) Pork spareribs were delicious with adding bbq sauce to it and fell of the bone! So tender. The chopped brisket was a bit dry. I got mac n cheese as my side and it was delish! One of the best macs I've had actually and a pretty big portion. Jalapeño poppers were 1000/10 so delicious and crispy and hot and fresh. Flavor was great. We also tried a loaded burger with chopped brisket and it was good. The house chips had a great flavor to them and weren't too salty. The margarita flight was perfect for sharing. Overall, I would come back maybe one more time just so I can try the pork belly and sliced brisket. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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Went out to try a spot we hadn't been to and came here. :) People there were friendly and you are able to seat yourself. This place has a pretty huge table outside that can fit a nice size party. They have both indoor and outdoor dining. The server suggested the burnt End and the beef bone. I had the burnt end taco and it was pretty good....pretty tender. The kids plates were a good portion. read more

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I have been looking forward to trying this place for SO long. We placed an order for pick up, the 3 meat sampler with 2 sides ( we got 2 orders of brisket and 1 order of burnt ends with beans and fries ) , an order of Mac and cheese and an order of corn bread. First off, let me say the sides here were very very good. One of my biggest complaints about most BBQ places is that the sides are mediocre at best. The fries here were seasoned well, they even stood up to being re-heated in the air fryer the next day as leftovers. The beans were delicious! The Mac and cheese was better than most BBQ places in San Diego county. The corn bread was just ok. While I felt that the sides here were great, I found the meat to be disappointing . Burnt ends are my favorite, if they are on the menu, I order them every and anytime! When I opened the foil for the burnt ends, I was sort of shocked to see that they were all fat, sure there was miniscule pieces of meat attached to cubes of fat...The brisket was also highly fatty, I am not just talking about a small vein of fat in between the meat, but one of the orders was 50% fat, the second order while not quite as fatty as the first was still highly fatty...yes I know I get it, not everyone has the same taste when it comes to any food. I decided to reach out to them, I was told yes...that is what what burnt ends are, fat. The issue that I have here, is that I have been smoking meat for a long time, I make burnt ends. I have had a lot of burnt ends, it is meat candy not fat candy. They offered to replace the burnt ends for me, and I accepted ( I went with Pulled pork) I also did order the mac and cheese and french fries again... Ill say it again the sides here are good! I would not go to a BBQ place just for the sides though! I am hoping that my experience here was just an off day and that the Brisket is normally trimmed better and or the fat is rendered better than it was for my order... I dislike having to assume that it was not an off day though, with them stating that burnt ends are fat...to be fair after I stated that I am not unfamiliar with them and they should not be all fat, I was told that theirs are very fatty. read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Burnt Ends - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

We decided to go on a little road trip to North County.  I found Up In Smoke Bbq on Yelp and decided to give it a try.  We arrived at opening time Saturday and found it easy to social distance as there were no other customers.   Rib sampler comes with one side dish, 2 pork ribs, and a beef rib.  I picked onion rings for my side dish.  Crunchy tempura beer batter had had a unique flavor as there were some herbs in the batter.  I liked the flavor but I might like just the beer batter flavor even more.  Pork rib had tender pork with a smoky flavor.  I added some of the bbq sauce which added a sweet and tangy/spicy flavor.  Pretty good.  Beef rib had a huge amount of beef attached.  Very tender and had a strong smoky flavor.  Very tasty and my favorite rib of the two. Loved the high quality meats they serve here.  I'd prefer more dry rub on the ribs so they don't need any sauce.  Waitress was nice and helpful.  Lovely view of the mountains. read more

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We utilized the food truck for our anniversary party. They arrived on time and were ready to serve immediately. They made it effortless for us, allowing us to spend more time with our guests. The servers were extremely courteous, and everyone raved about the food (both the quality and the portions). Bravo!! read more

Yes please!! We found this spot looking for a good place to get BBQ and we are so happy we did!! The Service is very attentive and professional, the food is allllllll sooooooo DELICIOUS!! The Mac n Cheese is great!! I got the pulled pork sliders and would definitely be back for all that deliciousness. Aside from the food, the great service and ambiance they literally care for and take care of their customers. I not sure the details but my family witnessed customer whom are little people come in and only high tops tables were available but the waitresses worked to clear a lower table quickly to ensure their customers (all of them) were able to enjoy their meals comfortably. How beautiful is that!! read more

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Great BBQ. Just the right ambiance for me, and the food was what I wanted. Tonight we ordered sliced brisket, pulled pork, and brisket chili. Cornbread and coleslaw. They carry my favorite beer (Blue Moon) but not my wife's favorite soda (Sprite Zero). It was all wonderful and we'll have leftovers for days. There are so many kinds of barbecue. It varies by region and culture. In my culture and in the regions where I have lived, BBQ is beef or pork or chicken or ribs cooked just so and served in a suitably un-fancy place with a couple of side dishes. I'm not used to a BBQ place having such an inclusive menu, but I guess as long as they serve what I want I'm not overly worried about the other stuff. Actually, I'm not used to a BBQ place having a menu at all. You buy what they are serving, or you point at the meat you want. I sincerely hope that my friends back home don't learn that I ate BBQ from a place offering meatless and vegan options. They would probably shun me. Our ancestors fought saber-tooth tigers to earn our place at the top of the food chain. My friends would say that eating plant-based fake meat at a BBQ joint dishonors ancestral sacrifices. read more

I've been wanting to come here for a long time and finally did for a late lunch/early dinner on a Monday. It was quiet and only one other party dining at the time. We had our choice of seating and chose the outdoor patio. The entrance with the swinging doors is super cute! The waitress was very helpful in making suggestions for what to order and what not to order. The patio area definitely needs a deep cleaning. There were a lot of spider webs and the tables were not clean. What we ate: - complimentary popcorn: I don't know what seasoning was on this but it was delicious! I devoured the entire bowl. - I got the Sampler with 3 choices of meats and 2 sides: Chopped Brisket (good, but not memorable), Pork Ribs (unfortunately were overcooked), Pork Belly (amazing! I would order this again in a second. It was delicious, sweet, and perfectly cooked.) The waitress suggested the sides, since they were both made in house, so I got the coleslaw (very good) and the baked beans (lots of meat pieces in it and quite good!) We also got the mimosa flight -- it was a fun concept but didn't love most of the flavors. The standouts were the Caramel Apple and the Pineapple. Unfortunately they were out of Sliced Brisket, which was what we really wanted. read more

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I'll try to keep it brief and break it down right. Both the pork rib and the beef rib had similar problems. They both lacked tenderness and wasn't exactly juicy. BBQ meet should never be try nor tough. The chopped brisket was sub par and I was very disappointed in the execution. It was smothered in sauce but dry in the inside. They're BBQ sauce itself was tasty but does not make up for the lack of execution on the meat. The broccoli had a weird taste and I'll leave it there. The start of the show was undoubtedly the cornbread. If you order anything from this establishment please do yourself a favor and order cornbread as your side. I will try them again later and hopefully adjust my ratings. For now this is accurate and earned tonight. I hope this was an outlier. And yes I'm from the south of that means anything. read more

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Up in Smoke BBQ exceeded all my expectations! The food was absolutely delicious, with perfectly smoked meats bursting with flavor. The service was exceptional, with friendly staff who made sure we had everything we needed. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, adding to the overall dining experience. I can't wait to go back and try more of their amazing dishes. Highly recommend! Sadly-- they are closes last time my wife and i checked. read more

Came here for the first time today for lunch. They have an outdoor patio as well as indoor seating, although it is limited. There isn't that much parking directly by the building, but in the plaza there is a decent amount, although it gets full when the place is busy. My coworkers are I ordered 1 entree each, and it took 40 minutes for it to come out, so we had to pack it to go and eat it later. They do have a 10% off right now with a Yelp Check-in. I asked the waiter to apply it to my receipt when I asked for the check, but when the check came it wasn't applied, so I had to ask a second time. As far as the food goes, it was absolutely delicious. This place has free bbq seasoned popcorn and amazing baked beans which are cooked with some meat. The cornbread is also a must have here. I'll definitely come again. read more

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Excellent. Full and happy and leaving with leftovers! Can't wait to come back with the kids for some full racks. read more

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WTF, did We just encounter for lunch today??!! UP IN SMOKE!!! Lived here for a while now and why we never tried this place until today, is beyond me!! We'll definitely be coming back!!! Maybe tomorrow!!! The Saucy fries!! OMG!! The brisket, the burnt ends the chicken. ALL so tender, no knife needed!!! AND melts in your mouth!!! AND don't get me started on the Mac N Cheese and the baked beans!! BEST AROUND!! KALAI "K" IS THE BEST!!!!! read more

Up In Smoke BBQ - Sampler platter and saucy fries - Food Trucks Near Me - Escondido, California

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Great old-school, heart-clogging BBQ and related options like burgers, with some healthier menu options. Rustic ambience but suited to the food. Reasonably priced with generous portions. $5 side salad was near dinner size at many restaurants, burger was large, and 2-meat combo plate had plenty of meat and of my chosen side of crisp onion rings. A little off the beaten path but not crowded on Friday night for that reason, and not far from the 78. We were traveling but would come back if in the area. read more