Escondido, CA, is such a cool place for BBQ lovers like me! There are so many amazing spots to grab some delicious smoked meats and tasty sides. I’ve explored the local BBQ scene, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. Trust me, you’re going to want to check these places out!
So, what’s the best BBQ in Escondido, CA? Well, the best BBQ here has a little bit of everything! You can find traditional American BBQ, Korean BBQ, and even some fun fusion dishes. Places like Mike’s BBQ and Phil’s BBQ really stand out with their yummy flavors and great vibes. You’ll definitely find something that makes your taste buds dance!
Stick around, and I’ll take you on a tasty journey through the best BBQ spots in Escondido. You’ll discover where to find the juiciest ribs, the most flavorful sauces, and the coziest places to enjoy a meal with friends and family. Let’s dive in!
Top 10 BBQ in Escondido, CA
- Mike’s BBQ
- Dongbu Korean BBQ
- El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue
- Phil’s BBQ
- Big Dev’s Down-Home Barbeque
- Up in Smoke BBQ
- Bubba’s Kitchen, Tap & Sports Bar
- Felix’s BBQ with Soul
- Burger Bench Escondido
- Manna Heaven BBQ
1. Mike’s BBQ
Phone: (760) 746-4444
Menu: mikesbbq.us
Directions: Open on Map
Mike’s BBQ is one of my favorite places in Escondido! When I walked in, the smell of yummy smoked meats hit me right away. It feels so cozy inside, and I love that I can sit outside too. They even have curbside pickup and delivery, which is super handy when I’m in a hurry!
What makes Mike’s BBQ really special is how tasty everything is. I tried the brisket, and oh my gosh, it was so juicy and tender! It just melted in my mouth. The BBQ sauce they make is the best, adding a nice zing to the meat.
If you visit, you have to get the pulled pork sandwich and the mac and cheese. They are so good and really show off how great Mike’s BBQ is. You’ll want to come back for more!
2. Dongbu Korean BBQ
Phone: (760) 884-8193
Menu: order.online
Directions: Open on Map
Dongbu Korean BBQ is one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Escondido! When I walked in, the vibe was so lively and friendly. I loved that I could choose to sit inside or outside, and grilling my own food at the table was just so much fun! It felt like a little party with every bite.
What really makes Dongbu special is how fresh everything is. I tried the marinated short ribs, and wow, they were super tasty! The flavors were rich and grilling them made them even yummier.
If you go, you have to get the beef bulgogi and the spicy pork. They are so good and really show off the awesome Korean BBQ style. You’ll have a blast cooking and eating every single bite!
3. El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue
El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue is one of my favorite places to eat in Escondido! When I walked in, I felt so welcomed by the friendly staff and the cozy vibe. I really liked that I could sit inside or outside, enjoying the nice weather while munching on some tasty BBQ. It’s just a great place to hang out!
What makes El Flako’s super special is the yummy flavors they have. I tried the smoked brisket, and oh wow, it was so juicy and tender! Each bite was full of flavor, and you can tell they really care about making great food.
If you go, you have to try the ribs and the cornbread. They are so delicious and really show off what El Flako’s BBQ is all about. You’ll leave feeling super happy and full!
4. Phil’s BBQ
Phone: (858) 312-6161
Menu: philsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Phil’s BBQ is one of my all-time favorite places to eat! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoky meats made my mouth water right away. The place has a super chill vibe, and I loved that I could sit inside or outside. It’s just a perfect spot to hang out with friends and enjoy some delicious BBQ!
What really makes Phil’s BBQ special is their amazing mesquite-barbecued ribs. I tried the baby back ribs, and oh my goodness, they were so tender and full of flavor! Each bite was like a little party in my mouth, and the BBQ sauce was just the right amount of sweet and tangy.
If you go, you have to get the beef ribs and the sandwiches. They are so tasty and really show off what Phil’s BBQ is all about. You’ll leave feeling super happy and full!
5. Big Dev’s Down-Home Barbeque
Phone: (858) 442-8597
Menu: bigdevsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Big Dev’s Down-Home Barbeque is one of my favorite places to grab some BBQ in Escondido! When I walked in, I felt so cozy and welcomed by the friendly staff. The place has a nice, warm vibe, and I loved that I could either take my food to go or enjoy it right there. It’s just a perfect spot to satisfy my BBQ cravings!
What really makes Big Dev’s special is how tasty everything is. I tried the pulled pork, and wow, it was super tender and juicy! Each bite was full of smoky flavor, and you can really tell they know how to cook BBQ just right.
If you go, you have to try the ribs and the baked beans. They are so yummy and really show off what Big Dev’s BBQ is all about. You’ll leave with a big smile and a happy tummy!
6. Up in Smoke BBQ
Up in Smoke BBQ is one of my favorite spots in Escondido! When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meats made my stomach growl right away. The place has such a chill vibe, and I loved that I could sit inside or outside. It’s a perfect place to hang out with friends and enjoy some delicious BBQ!
What really makes Up in Smoke special is the awesome variety of meats they have. I tried the smoked brisket, and oh wow, it was so tender and full of flavor! Each bite was like a little piece of heaven, and you can tell they really know how to smoke their meats just right.
If you go, you have to get the pulled pork and the BBQ chicken. They are super tasty and really show off what Up in Smoke BBQ is all about. You’ll leave with a big smile and a happy tummy!
7. Bubba’s Kitchen, Tap & Sports Bar
Phone: (442) 257-2716
Menu: bubbaskitchenandtap.com
Directions: Open on Map
Bubba’s Kitchen, Tap & Sports Bar is one of the coolest places to hang out in Escondido! When I walked in, the lively atmosphere and the yummy smell of BBQ made me super excited. I loved that I could sit inside or outside, and it felt just right for enjoying a meal while watching a game on TV!
What really makes Bubba’s Kitchen special is their awesome food. I tried the BBQ chicken, and oh wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! Each bite was packed with smoky goodness, and you can really tell they know how to make BBQ just right.
If you go, you have to try the brisket nachos and the pulled pork sandwich. They are super tasty and really show off what Bubba’s Kitchen is all about. You’ll leave with a big smile and a happy tummy!
8. Felix’s BBQ with Soul
Phone: (760) 480-1200
Menu: felixsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Felix’s BBQ with Soul is one of my favorite places to eat! When I walked in, I felt so welcomed by the friendly staff and the warm vibe. I loved that I could sit inside or outside, and the yummy smell of BBQ made my mouth water right away. It’s just a perfect spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family!
What really makes Felix’s BBQ special is how tasty everything is. I tried the smoked ribs, and oh wow, they were so tender and juicy! Each bite was full of flavor, and you can really tell they care about making great food.
If you go, you have to try the mac and cheese and the cornbread. They are super delicious and really show off what Felix’s BBQ is all about. You’ll leave feeling super happy and full!
9. Burger Bench Escondido
Phone: (760) 294-2001
Menu: www.burgerbench.com
Directions: Open on Map
Burger Bench Escondido is one of my favorite places to grab a bite! When I walked in, I loved the cool, industrial vibe. It felt so inviting, and I could choose to sit inside or outside, which is perfect for enjoying the nice weather while I eat. It’s just a great spot to hang out with friends!
What really makes Burger Bench special is their yummy gourmet burgers. I tried the classic cheeseburger, and oh wow, it was super juicy and full of flavor! Each bite was so good, and you can really tell they use fresh ingredients.
If you go, you have to try the sweet potato fries and the breakfast burger. They are super tasty and really show off what Burger Bench is all about. You’ll leave with a big smile and a happy tummy!
10. Manna Heaven BBQ
Phone: (760) 743-3300
Menu: www.mannaheavenbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Manna Heaven BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat! When I walked in, I felt so welcomed by the friendly staff and the warm atmosphere. I loved that I could sit inside or outside, and the yummy smell of BBQ made my mouth water right away. It’s just a perfect spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family!
What really makes Manna Heaven special is how tasty everything is. I tried the smoked brisket, and oh wow, it was so tender and juicy! Each bite was full of flavor, and you can really tell they care about making great food.
If you go, you have to try the mac and cheese and the cornbread. They are super delicious and really show off what Manna Heaven BBQ is all about. You’ll leave feeling super happy and full!
Map of BBQ in Escondido, CA
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike’s BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Dongbu Korean BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
| El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue | – | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | – |
| Phil’s BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | – | Accessible | No |
| Big Dev’s Down-Home Barbeque | – | – | Yes | – | Accessible | – |
| Up in Smoke BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Bubba’s Kitchen, Tap & Sports Bar | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
| Felix’s BBQ with Soul | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Burger Bench Escondido | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Manna Heaven BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best BBQ restaurants in Escondido?
Oh, there are so many great BBQ places in Escondido! Some of my favorites are Mike’s BBQ, Phil’s BBQ, and Dongbu Korean BBQ. Each one has its own yummy flavors that make them super special! -
Is there BBQ with outdoor seating in Escondido?
Yes, definitely! Lots of BBQ spots, like Bubba’s Kitchen and Up in Smoke BBQ, have outdoor seating. It’s really nice to enjoy your food outside when the weather is great! -
Do any BBQ places in Escondido offer delivery?
For sure! Many BBQ places, like Dongbu Korean BBQ and Manna Heaven BBQ, do delivery. It’s so easy to get tasty BBQ right to your door! -
Are there vegetarian options at BBQ restaurants in Escondido?
Yes, some BBQ spots have vegetarian choices! Places like Burger Bench have yummy options, so it’s always good to check the menu or ask the staff for help. -
What is the price range for BBQ in Escondido?
The prices are usually pretty moderate. Most BBQ places have a variety of dishes that fit different budgets, so you can find something tasty without spending too much! -
Can I make reservations at BBQ restaurants in Escondido?
Yes, some BBQ places like Phil’s BBQ and Manna Heaven BBQ let you make reservations. It’s a smart idea to call ahead, especially if you’re going during busy times! -
What are the must-try dishes at BBQ spots in Escondido?
You really have to try the smoked brisket, baby back ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches! They are super popular and so delicious, showing off the best of BBQ cooking!
