AMERICA’S FINESTSUNDAY SummerMAY 13, 2018 Guide THE BESTB S BBQT WHER E ’CU TOTO MAKEM AE PITFA STOP AKE NS NE A PIT ED PAGE 4 STOP + THEME PARKS FREEBIES MUSEUMS BALBOA PARK SCENIC SPOTS 4 MAY 13, 2018 • MAKE SUNDAY | A PIT STOP

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST BBQ ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q’s whole chicken plate.

BLUE BRIDGE HOSPITALITY BY MICHELE PARENTE San Diego. (619) 276-2855. 5 & MICHAEL JAMES ROCHA bullssmokinbbq.com (ROCHA) SUNDAY nybody smell Cali Comfort BBQ smoke? That’s Cali Comfort serves up big- the scent of a time with a small-town barbecue boom. feel. Fans look forward to the • A From a fam- annual Spring Valley Tailgate & 2018 13, MAY ily-run opera- BBQ charity festival, thrown by tion out of a gas station in Vista to owners Shawn and Rositsa an upscale shopping center in La Walchef, which brings together Jolla, a strip mall in Lemon Grove amateur and pro pit masters. But and a hipster hay bale hangout in locals know the other 364 days a |

North Park, San Diego is going year, it’s all about the melt-in- UNION-TRIBUNE DIEGO SAN THE whole hog for barbecue. your-mouth, slow-smoked tri-tip. Longtime local favorites like 8910 Troy St., Spring Valley. (619) Cali Comfort BBQ and Phil’s BBQ 337-0670. calicomfortbbq.com are celebrating milestone anniver- (PARENTE) saries this year — 10 years and 20 years, respectively — while popu- Coaster Saloon lar smokehouse spots are expand- You can probably smell chef Tim ing and new ’cue restaurants are Eylens’ Texas-style, oak-smoked queuing up to open around the meats on the lower portions of the county (see box). Belmont Park roller coaster. You Our pit plethora serves up can definitely hear the screams of Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, sports fans catching games on the North Carolina, Lexington, St. giant, outdoor projection screen Louis and Santa Maria style bar- and 15 flatscreen TVs. This is bar- becue — if you’re a novice, a story becue Mission Beach-style, with on Eater explains some of the rigid ocean breezes and oceans of beer regional differences — which goes on tap, 40 in all. 744 Ventura Place, to show that San Diegans might be Mission Beach. (858) 488-4438. fanatical about their , brisket thecoastersaloon.com (PARENTE) and pulled , but not dogmatic. Except when it comes to lists of Coop’s West Texas BBQ the best barbecue joints in San There’s a reason there’s almost Diego, which will inevitably anger COHN RESTAURANT GROUP always a line at Coop’s West BBQ: devotees of a particular place. Barbecue mac ’n’ cheese at the Coaster Saloon in Mission Beach. It’s that good. Choose from pork (That’s when the answer to “any- spareribs, brisket, jerk chicken body smell smoke?” turns into or , but you really can’t “Oh, it’s coming out of slighted go wrong with anything at Coop’s. readers’ ears.”) The meat’s tasty and smoked Yet, in the spirit of summer, perfectly. The tastes so good, that quintessential low and slow it’s sinful, but the only sin to be relaxation season, we’re fearlessly committed here is not ordering the offering our recommendations on collard greens as one of your sides. where ’cue fans need to make a pit Make sure to peek in the kitchen — stop. Many places sell meat by the you might get a glimpse of the man pound and have catering menus, himself, owner Bradrick “Coop” allowing you to have a smoke-free, Cooper. 2625 Lemon Grove Ave., no-muss backyard barbecue. Just Lemon Grove. (619) 589-0478. keep in mind that no matter where coopsbbq.com (ROCHA) you go, there will probably be a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit line. That’s the truest sign that San Diego is hog wild for barbecue. Dickey’s was founded in Dallas in 1941 by World War II veteran Brazen BBQ Smokehouse & Bar Travis Dickey. Today, it’s the coun- In a neighborhood known for try’s largest barbecue chain with carb consumption of the cocktail more than 500 restaurants in 43 kind, Hillcrest’s Brazen BBQ states. Our visit to the Rancho San stands out as much for its award- Diego location was almost at clos- winning, hardwood-smoked HEARTWORK HILL MICHAEL JAMES ROCHA U-T ing time, but the food still tasted meats as its sinful starters and Smokeyard BBQ and Chop House beef ribs. Brisket from Felix’s BBQ with Soul. fresh and delicious. The meats — sides. You could make a meal out everything from beef brisket and of the moist cornbread, over-sized pulled pork, chicken and more — bubbassmokehousebbq.com with sides like fries, beans, cole- pulled pork to and Texas toast, cheesy tater tots, Bubba’s a bona fide crowd pleaser. (PARENTE) slaw or mac ’n’ cheese. The pulled chicken — are all slow-smoked at loaded or crusty mac ’n’ cheese You don’t even have to stick with pork fries are a house specialty each location. The long list of sides and BBQ pizza. Washed down, of one style of ’cue; choose from Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ and a customer favorite. During a includes coleslaw, jalapeño beans, course, with a specialty cocktail Bubba’s Secret Dry Rub (no Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ — origi- recent visit, the smoked pork ribs fried okra and green beans. It’s a from the Saloon. 441 Washington sauce); zest North Carolina vine- nally launched in 2009 as Frankie were cooked and smoked just no-frills experience, with the food St., Hillcrest. (619) 816-1990. gar-based or traditional southern the Bull’s BBQ — smokes all its right, served clean with sauces served on metal trays, but don’t let brazenbbq.com (PARENTE) sweet BBQ sauce. A second loca- meat Texas-style on the premises, available in squeeze bottles at the ease of the fast-casual experi- tion in Eastlake opened recently. everything from pulled pork and each table. Outside, there’s ample ence fool you: They know BBQ. Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ 888 Prospect St., La Jolla. (858) beef brisket to ribs and chicken. seating to enjoy your protein al Numerous locations in San Diego. (ROCHA) With its extensive menu — pork 551-4227. 2110 Birch Road, Chula Everything is served as a la carte fresco. And even better, Fido’s dickeys.com and beef ribs, brisket, tri-tip, Vista. (619) 947-6202. items, which you can complement welcome. 1127 Morena Blvd., SEE BEST BBQ • PAGE 6 6 ry-smoked meats wet or dry. Take vinced. But the shack graciously BEST BBQ in the bay view and the signature offers three picnic tables outside FROM PAGE 5 fall-off-the-bone, 12-hour smoked its ordering window for those pulled pork for the ultimate San proudly convinced BBQ enthusi- Enzo’s BBQ & Alehouse Diego barbecue experience. asts who can’t wait the drive home Just because “alehouse” is a 1201 First St., Coronado (at the to dine. 9050 Campo Road, Spring part of the restaurant’s name Coronado Ferry Landing). (619) Valley. (619) 303-8342. valley

MAY 13, 2018 doesn’t mean this is just a beer- 522–0217. lilpiggysbarbq.com farmmarkets.com/Pages/

• centric joint masquerading as a (PARENTE) 5833/Valley_Farm_BBQ (PRICE) BBQ restaurant. Italian owner Enzo Mistretta — he was born in Phil’s BBQ When Pigs Fly BBQ & Catering Bagheria, a small town in Sicily — Since 1998, Phil’s has been San I first tasted Dale and Tammy

SUNDAY has more than 25 years of experi- Diego County’s first name in bar- Ginos’ heavenly brisket in 2013 at | ence in restaurants. In 2005, he becue — and barbecue lines. (My the Stagecoach Music Festival, decided to take on a decidedly strategy? Downing the ’cue at where their quality ’cue soars past American food — BBQ — and Petco Park, where the wait is the competition of some of the best opened Enzo’s BBQ & Alehouse in shorter.) Mesquite-grilled baby pit masters in the country. San Oceanside. The BBQ platters are back and beef ribs are juicy even Diegans must agree. The original popular, especially the Southern dry. But who’d pass on the million- When Pigs Fly, which straddles the Combo: pulled pork, Texas- gallon-selling , family’s Chevron gas station, is so smoked brisket and baby back which has depth of flavor and just busy, a second location had to be ribs, served with Southern beans, enough kick. Pass the Wet-Naps, opened in January. 230 Main St. coleslaw and a very moist corn please. Locations in Petco Park Vista. (760) 295-7993. 1211E. Vista bread. 4121 Oceanside Blvd., No. HOWARD LIPIN U-T (three sections), Point Loma, Way, Vista. (760) 945-7828. 201, Oceanside. (760) 643-9602. MORE ’CUE COMING SOON Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, whenpigsflybbq.com (PARENTE) (ROCHA) enzosbbq.com Hanis Cavin (above), San Diego’s “Prince of Pork and the founder of Carnitas’ Santee and San Diego Interna- tional Airport (Terminal 2). Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill Felix’s BBQ with Soul Snack Shack, has two barbecue projects cooking. philsbbq.net (PARENTE) This is a

THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE When you sit down at a BBQ San Carlos: The first will be Pioneer taking over McCarter’s Bar & Grill, Eater for people who don’t mind wearing restaurant, and they immediately San Diego reports. (8622 Lake Murray Blvd., San Carlos.) It should be open Smokeyard BBQ and Chop House a bib at a business lunch. The bring out a basket of warm and around Memorial Day weekend. Barbecue for the Lululemon set, national chain may feel a bit cor- moist cornbread, you know it’s Smokeyard opened in November as porate, but Wood Ranch serves up bound to be a good meal. And Point Loma: And a summer opening is expected for a yet-to-be-named smoke- part of the UTC mall’s upscale authentic, down-home barbecue. Felix’s BBQ with Soul didn’t dis- house at Liberty Public Market (2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma). dining expansion. Don’t let the Don’t miss the baby back ribs, appoint. The jam-packed menu Cavin will be collaborating with the meat meisters behind the market’s suc- quinoa-stuffed portobello fool you flavorful tri-tip, the BBQ Sliders has everything a good Southern cessful Mastiff Company. — there’s some serious barbecuing combo (barbecue tri-tip, Western BBQ place ought to have — from going on here. You can taste it in the tri-tip, Carolina pulled pork or baby back ribs and brisket to Cavin recently provided these details: luscious and tender beef ribs, tri-tip Double R Ranch brisket), the tri-tip and pulled pork. And sides? • Just like at Pioneer, the market shop will use a Southern Pride Tennessee and pulled pork. 4313 La Jolla Vil- peanut slaw and dreamy mac ’n’ Boy, do they have ’em. The long list hard wood smoker, fed with oak and cherry wood to smoke the meats and lage Drive (Westfield UTC, near cheese. 7510 Hazard Center Drive, includes red beans with rice, vegetables. Macy’s). La Jolla. (858) 630-7427. Mission Valley. (619) 764-4411. black-eyed peas, mac ’n’ cheese, smokeyard.com/utc-san-diego woodranch.com (PARENTE) braised cabbage and collard • They’ll serve smoked prime beef sandwiches, smoked pork dry-rubbed ribs (PARENTE) greens. The meat’s not quite the and house-brined and smoked half chickens. The Wrangler Family BBQ fall-off-the-bone kind, but it’s • Valley Farm BBQ If you like your BBQ smoky and tender, and smoked just right (it’s The style will be Texas-inspired and California-flavored barbecue. It’s served from a shack, de- your plate overflowing, this East slow-cooked in a hickory-wood- Carmel Valley: And in early 2019, superstar chef Michael Mina will partner with signed for carry-out, and you will County restaurant is the place to burning pit), completed by a celebrity lifestyle guru — and wife of NBA shooter Steph Curry — Ayesha Curry be so happy to order at the window be. The decor is kitschy — dark sweet-and-smoky sauce. A dinner to open International Smoke at the One Paseo project (3275 Del Mar Heights and take it home. Perched at the wood with animal trophy heads. companion summed up the expe- Road, Carmel Valley). Mina, the San Francisco-based founder of the Mina literal corner of Campo Road and Think mountain lodge, circa 1960s. rience: “This is some good stuff.” Bancroft Road, a modest, garden- That’s pretty much how long this Good stuff, indeed, but the service Group restaurant empire, is known for his bold, global flavors. Look for such er’s shack-looking establishment institution has been serving up is even better — always with a dishes as “Three Little Pigs,” with St. Louis spareribs, slow-cooked, marinated serves up perhaps the best bar- Texas-style BBQ — it was estab- smile. 3613 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Southwestern adovada ribs and red-chili slathered Korean gochujang ribs. becue you will find out East, living lished in 1965. They have an a la Oceanside. (760) 439-7072. MICHELE PARENTE • U-T up to its motto, “Small place, big carte menu, but to make it simple, felixsbbq.com (ROCHA) taste.” The standard fare of tri-tip, order the plates. You’ll get your restaurant on Bonita Road is Lil tinge of spice, but ask for it on the ribs, rib racks, pulled pork and protein and sides in one easy order. Grand Ole BBQ y Asado Alex BBQ, a small, partial service side; you will want to savor both chicken are all offered, even a There’s beef, ham and rib, and There’s nothing fancy at this establishment that does barbecue meats with and without it. With a Black Angus hot dog is included. because I like all three, I always outdoor Texas-style barbecue and proud. Its abundant menu — all slew of side dish choices, the red The Sampler Platter offers three order the beef, ham and rib combo Argentinean grilled meats restau- dishes are prepared on site — potato salad is worth a try — mild, pork ribs, a half pound of sliced — No. 7 for $15.59. All plates come rant. Wood logs destined for the ranges from tri-tip sandwiches, creamy, with a hint of rosemary tri-tip, a pulled-pork slider, a with roll, butter, barbecue sauce smoker are strewn about, the burgers and chicken to beef ribs, seasoning — and the coleslaw, too, choice of one side dish and a small and two sides. Choose from cole- picnic tables are a little rickety, the pork ribs and pulled pork. Offering is a non-sweet complement to the bag of chips. The pork ribs are slaw, macaroni salad, baked beans cooked over the coals in family meal options and daily barbecue sauce so its sweetness crusted in a sinfully sweet rub that or french fries. Ordering is easy, and an old, seasoned cast-iron skillet. lunch specials, Lil Alex specializes can shine. The restaurant also you will relish and probably dream quick. They slice the meat right in But just try keeping the crowds in mesquite-grilled, remarkable includes a modestly stocked bar. about. The tri-tip, while a bit front of you, and heap on the sides away. It’s so popular, this nearly ribs. Newbies should order meal 4020 Bonita Road, Bonita. (619) chewy, is juicy and laced with until your plate can’t take it any- 3-year-old spot is getting a spinoff No. 2, which features four pork ribs 240-7785. lilalexbbq.com (MICHAEL fragrant smokiness. The slider more. The barbecue sauce, which is in El Cajon in June. 3302 32nd St. and a beef bone with two side PRICE) sandwich partners perfectly with tangier than sweet, comes on the North Park. (619) 213-3765. dishes. The beef bone is one of the the barbecue sauce, a smoky- side. 901 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon. grandolebbq.com (PARENTE) most tender and juicy beef ribs you Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q sweet blend with a kick and yet (619) 442-1170. thewranglerfamily will find. The meaty, not fatty pork Boasting Memphis-style sweet you can still taste the tomato. The barbecue.com (ROCHA) Lil Alex BBQ ribs are dusted in a mild, flavorful “sauce so good makes you want to shack also offers five Boar’s Head Nestled between a Mexican rub. Both are served with a tradi- slap somebody,” Lil’ Piggy’s none- deli-meat sandwich choices for Union-Tribune editor Michael Price restaurant and a Caribbean tional, smoky-sweet sauce with a theless lets you choose your hicko- picnic variety or the sadly uncon- contributed to this report.