Phil's BBQ — Restaurant in San Diego

The beef ribs are unmatched in cut, and the portions are large, so it's worth the visit. This review will share ups/downs as to what to expect, with notes that management/team are determined to right the wrongs.

Promotion for Superbowl LVIII wings arrived and I was hosting the hubby and felt elated to have Phil's BBQ on the menu. All in all, the order was disappointing due to my chicken being under cooked as shown. Such is the case with the wings as I like a more well-done wing over temperately served with hard gristle.

Refund issued...thanks Cami for noting that your team could have done better! I used the funds to go in for dinner on date night with the spouse utilizing my B-Day jump the line pass. My 100% order for what is my favorite is the Beef Rib dinner some for now and the rest for later with 0% CHAR...no sauce and just really no char that takes about 20-minutes or so more. Husband full baby-back that normally has no trouble as it's just regular.

I received post 20+ minutes later ribs with more CHAR than I could stomach...as my husband noticed my struggle. I was so very sad...just sad because I just wanted to eat my food, and be satisfied like everyone else. No pic because I knew it wasn't the normal but still, I have to mention it so You too can enjoy the

Remedy by another manager Jay who listened. My Superbowl order was awful and now I said ’I was going to share the CHAR with the world in sadness”:{{{ Then he said come see me and I'll take care of you. I did a few days late and had my lesser char ribs in the "BAR" area served to my satisfaction. I don't expect 100% every time, but when you claim to specialize in something what is a CUSTOMER to do/expect!!!

ON my B-day night it was the team of server’s post order that made a difference too. Young guys who just were sad, about my SB experience the current order of unacceptability…they REALLY helped me/us!!! It was so nice seeing the youth working and making a difference in the service industry again. One took it back to show the manager and then was told to bring my order back to my table making my entree...hot fries now cold. Oh...back to Jay and the remedy--thanks for making it better, and I will be back just not soon.

Coming to SD and not visiting the Phil's on Sports Arena Drive is sinful...it's still my one and ONLY FAVORITE rib joint. I know I may have to send it back and I will before I pay a pricey/worth it penny on again. I just want it right and NO More Redo's of the Redo...trusted results are...

Phil's barbecue is hands down THE BEST barbecue in San Siego AND the west coast! They have racks of ribs, whole chicken sandwiches and more! their cornbread is really great, I Usually get a few pork ribs, tri-tip Sandwich (HUGE) WITH a baked potato loaded and full corn on the cob, Smother it with butter shower cream, creole chili & spice powder :)

My 15Years of Flavor, Fire, and Family – Why Phil’s BBQ Still Rules San Diego

I don’t usually write reviews, but after 15 years of loyalty, it’s time. Phil’s BBQ isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a rite of passage in San Diego. From my first bite of their mesquite-grilled baby back ribs back in 2009, I knew I’d found something special. You can’t fake that kind of flavor. You can’t algorithm your way to that level of juicy perfection.

Fifteen years later? The smoke still hits you the moment you pull into the parking lot. It’s like a signal to your senses that something real, something timeless, is happening here. You’ll see locals, tourists, off-duty firefighters, and even the occasional Padres player all waiting in line—and nobody’s complaining. That line is a San Diego tradition.

Let’s talk about the food: the ribs fall off the bone, slathered in that signature tangy-sweet sauce with just the right kick. The tri-tip sandwich? Unreal. Smoky, tender, kissed by the grill and wrapped in love. The onion rings come out golden and unapologetically crispy. And the BBQ Broham? I’ve dreamt about it. More than once.

But here’s what really gets me after all these years—it’s the vibe. The staff works like a well-oiled machine, smiling through the rush. You hear laughter. You feel welcome. It’s loud, it’s busy, it’s alive. You walk out full, happy, maybe a little saucy around the mouth—and somehow, already thinking about your next visit.

There are fancier places, sure. But nobody touches Phil’s when it comes to heart, hustle, and that authentic SoCal BBQ soul.

To the team at Phil’s: thank you for feeding San Diego’s body and spirit for all these years....

This review is about the manager the female manager at the Sports arena location, And this review is also about the employees, and the dangerous cleansers they use, Since this business has changed management the morale of the employees has gone down, Now when I go there I'm really stunned at how cold and rude the employees are It's like their "hateful now", they are angry, The manager in the bar area dining area needs to be replaced also, he has no place being a manager, The employees ignore the customers and don't want to help the customers, ignoring ignoring ignoring ignoring If I need something or want something I have to get up and search for somebody and then they look at me like they are so unhappy and that they don't want to be there each one of them. .....Their ratings have gone down and it's because they have Bad Management.... The owner needs to comb through each and every review of all his restaurants every week and fix the issues, You must fix the issues, if you do not fix the issues your ratings keep going down and down, The next thing I say is going to be excessively extremely important; Do not use toxic cleansers, overwhelming horrid smelling potent dangerous cleansers while your customers are in the dining area trying to eat, the only thing we should smell when we go into your restaurant is amazing Barbecue, That is all we should smell, Not horr-i-fic cleansers don't even use those in the bathrooms use only unscented unscented unscented non-scented cleansers, You don't have to have poison toxic cleansers in your business get rid of any of the managers that are buying these toxic products and bringing your business down, They will completely bring your business down, Most people who are upset with this will Not stop their lives to come here and report this so you must read this message and do the right thing and purchase only UNscented cleansers, Never the toxic purple cleanser or...