Chef knows his stuff. If you do also, you know this place is legit. Worth the time, the money, the desire. Your belly will thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Bartholow
Best BBQ I've ever had in the San diego area. Never disappoints. Ribs and rib tips are my favorite. Cheap beer on tap and great vibe makes it my go to Friday afternoon work and hang spot. They go until sold out, so get there early for full selection, but not too early or you'll wait in line cause its that good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cherry Glazed Pork Ribs 1 2, Side White BBQ
Robert Kirkpatrick
The food was tolerable,the beans... straight out of the can,no seasoning,just plain. The Mac and cheese was edible, nothing great about it. The cornbread was the worst I've ever had! Not what I expected it to taste like(moist cardboard),dry and hard. Being a cook myself, whenever I make something and it's not tasty, good, delicious as I think and know it should be...I won't serve it,even when others think,say that it's good...nah I just won't serve it,I try to hold my cooking for others to a better standard than just as I would cooking for myself.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Tonya Zlock
I recently visited Papalo for the second time, and I’m already planning my next trip! If you’re looking for a restaurant in La Mesa, CA that offers bold flavors, exceptional service, and a truly unique dining experience, this is the spot.
Although I rarely order chicken, the woman at the counter recommended trying their spicy chicken dish—and I’m so glad I did! It was mind-blowingly delicious, bursting with flavor and heat. Papalo’s ability to transform a simple dish into something extraordinary is impressive and definitely worth raving about.
The Service: Even though it’s counter service, the staff went above and beyond. We initially ordered a round of drinks, and they surprised us by opening a tab for our second round—a small touch that left a big impression! Their attention to detail truly sets them apart.
Cleanliness: The restaurant was spotless, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.
I highly recommend Papalo to anyone who appreciates quality food, exceptional hospitality, and an overall memorable experience. We will definitely be regulars from now on!
If you haven’t tried this hidden gem yet, you’re missing out on one of the best dining experiences in La Mesa, CA
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam Button
Came here for a quick snack during Oktoberfest. Definitely better priced than the last restaurant that was here. The macaroni and cheese was quite interesting - very different than most any Mac and cheese I've ever had. Not sure what type of cheese was used or crumbled over the top, but it was quite tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Saffron Rice
Aniya Vanadis
Tried the tri tip and cherry glazed pork ribs with corn bread and Mac and cheese. Both meat choices were very tasty and the corn bread was absolutely delightful. Mac and cheese was also really good. Shared the two means and two sides between two people. Staff was super nice and helpful. Great experience!
The food and service were wonderful. Love the relaxed atmosphere. It's the best BBQ I have had in San Diego. Absolutely try the melon salad and anything with the chimichurri. We will absolutely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ooplopoo
Unexpected but overall an extremely delicious experience. Ordered a combination meal, which came with two sides with choice of a rotating menu of three meats. I ordered the machacha (half beef half pork) with sides of coleslaw and creamy pinto beans. It was shocking how great the flavor profile was for all of the items. And the quantity was an amazing deal for the price point! Check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beth Holub
Everything here is amazing. Lots of gluten free options. The ribs are my favorite, the spices they use are delicious. The owners are also super nice.
Dietary restrictions: Most everything on the menu is gluten free, and the owners are very good about knowing what is and isn’t.
The food is great. Probably the best in La Mesa. We had the beef and pork sandwiches and they were both top notch.
Wheelchair accessibility: All one level with a wide aisle through the restaurant. It might be hard to take a wheelchair into the bathroom
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brisket Burger
Stephen Gelina
This place is ?. Chef Drew and staff crush it consistently. Arguably best bbq in SD County and for us living in East County- super convenient. Cherry glazed ribs are consistently amazing with his white bbq sauce. He rotate beef/pork/chicken consistently and always deliver. Tried the elote corn for an extra $2. Well worth it
Dietary restrictions: I am GF due to Celiac and Chef Drew always takes care of me
The food we had was excellent! Chef Drew came from Lola 55 and really knows how to cook. The meats were really tasty, and the sides were excellent as well. More people need to visit this restaurant and taste the magic coming from the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Side White BBQ
FFFN EEEN
The food I wanted was sold-out, the birria was and coleslaw were good. The corn on the cob was not very good. This place has a lot of potential if the owners learn and grow. There is no other Mexican/BBQ place in La Mesa that is very good, I especially dislike the taco place in very close proximity I I ate at because they were closed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Birria
Nina Ng-Lara
I don’t get bbq that much because I’m often disappointed. Papalo is amazing!! You can taste how fresh the ingredients are and the care that goes into the meat. We got the Cherry glazed pork rib tips, beef chuck steak, slaw, and the elote. Everything was so flavorful and well balanced. The slaw was so fresh. The elote was some of the best I’ve had- modern flavors yet still traditional. The meat was tender and juicy— not dry at all. Can’t wait to come back to this gem!!
Chef knows his stuff. If you do also, you know this place is legit. Worth the time, the money, the desire. Your belly will thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best BBQ I've ever had in the San diego area. Never disappoints. Ribs and rib tips are my favorite. Cheap beer on tap and great vibe makes it my go to Friday afternoon work and hang spot. They go until sold out, so get there early for full selection, but not too early or you'll wait in line cause its that good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cherry Glazed Pork Ribs 1 2, Side White BBQ
The food was tolerable,the beans... straight out of the can,no seasoning,just plain. The Mac and cheese was edible, nothing great about it. The cornbread was the worst I've ever had! Not what I expected it to taste like(moist cardboard),dry and hard. Being a cook myself, whenever I make something and it's not tasty, good, delicious as I think and know it should be...I won't serve it,even when others think,say that it's good...nah I just won't serve it,I try to hold my cooking for others to a better standard than just as I would cooking for myself.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
I recently visited Papalo for the second time, and I’m already planning my next trip! If you’re looking for a restaurant in La Mesa, CA that offers bold flavors, exceptional service, and a truly unique dining experience, this is the spot.
Although I rarely order chicken, the woman at the counter recommended trying their spicy chicken dish—and I’m so glad I did! It was mind-blowingly delicious, bursting with flavor and heat. Papalo’s ability to transform a simple dish into something extraordinary is impressive and definitely worth raving about.
The Service: Even though it’s counter service, the staff went above and beyond. We initially ordered a round of drinks, and they surprised us by opening a tab for our second round—a small touch that left a big impression! Their attention to detail truly sets them apart.
Cleanliness: The restaurant was spotless, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.
I highly recommend Papalo to anyone who appreciates quality food, exceptional hospitality, and an overall memorable experience. We will definitely be regulars from now on!
If you haven’t tried this hidden gem yet, you’re missing out on one of the best dining experiences in La Mesa, CA
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for a quick snack during Oktoberfest. Definitely better priced than the last restaurant that was here. The macaroni and cheese was quite interesting - very different than most any Mac and cheese I've ever had. Not sure what type of cheese was used or crumbled over the top, but it was quite tasty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Saffron Rice
Tried the tri tip and cherry glazed pork ribs with corn bread and Mac and cheese. Both meat choices were very tasty and the corn bread was absolutely delightful. Mac and cheese was also really good. Shared the two means and two sides between two people. Staff was super nice and helpful. Great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread GF, Cherry Glazed Pork Ribs 1 2
The food and service were wonderful. Love the relaxed atmosphere. It's the best BBQ I have had in San Diego. Absolutely try the melon salad and anything with the chimichurri. We will absolutely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unexpected but overall an extremely delicious experience. Ordered a combination meal, which came with two sides with choice of a rotating menu of three meats. I ordered the machacha (half beef half pork) with sides of coleslaw and creamy pinto beans. It was shocking how great the flavor profile was for all of the items. And the quantity was an amazing deal for the price point! Check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything here is amazing. Lots of gluten free options. The ribs are my favorite, the spices they use are delicious. The owners are also super nice.
Dietary restrictions: Most everything on the menu is gluten free, and the owners are very good about knowing what is and isn’t.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread GF, Cherry Glazed Pork Ribs 1 2
Incredibly flavorful meats, and excellent sides. The cornbread is the best I’ve ever had!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread GF
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is great. Probably the best in La Mesa. We had the beef and pork sandwiches and they were both top notch.
Wheelchair accessibility: All one level with a wide aisle through the restaurant. It might be hard to take a wheelchair into the bathroom
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brisket Burger
This place is ?. Chef Drew and staff crush it consistently. Arguably best bbq in SD County and for us living in East County- super convenient. Cherry glazed ribs are consistently amazing with his white bbq sauce. He rotate beef/pork/chicken consistently and always deliver. Tried the elote corn for an extra $2. Well worth it
Dietary restrictions: I am GF due to Celiac and Chef Drew always takes care of me
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread GF, Cherry Glazed Pork Ribs 1 2
The food we had was excellent! Chef Drew came from Lola 55 and really knows how to cook. The meats were really tasty, and the sides were excellent as well. More people need to visit this restaurant and taste the magic coming from the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Side White BBQ
The food I wanted was sold-out, the birria was and coleslaw were good. The corn on the cob was not very good. This place has a lot of potential if the owners learn and grow. There is no other Mexican/BBQ place in La Mesa that is very good, I especially dislike the taco place in very close proximity I I ate at because they were closed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Birria
I don’t get bbq that much because I’m often disappointed. Papalo is amazing!! You can taste how fresh the ingredients are and the care that goes into the meat. We got the Cherry glazed pork rib tips, beef chuck steak, slaw, and the elote. Everything was so flavorful and well balanced. The slaw was so fresh. The elote was some of the best I’ve had- modern flavors yet still traditional. The meat was tender and juicy— not dry at all. Can’t wait to come back to this gem!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
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