Fantastic BBQ. The best I've had outside of Texas.There's a line and they sell out so get there early.On a Saturday, we showed up at about 540 and by the time we got to order they had run out of the pork spare ribs.We did get just about everything else and it was fantastic.The sauces were great too. Also don't forget the sides! We got the potato salad and had to go back and get more because it was so good. We will definitely be going back again!
Daniel C.
I mean, if you really need BBQ in SoCal - not a lot of options. Just as overpriced as the place in Gas Lamp.The staff could have been more helpful when I asked a question clearly not answered on their menu.Meat and sides were fine but I wouldn't pay to eat here again; I'd rather wait until I'm back in the middle of the country for work or a road trip. ??♂️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Tylan Taylor
What an amazing BBQ spot! The Texan BBQ cuisine here is outstanding! I can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner. It's perfect for hanging out with friends and even bringing your furry companions during the day! The food was incredibly delicious, with generous portions. The pulled pork sandwich with its heavenly smoked flavor is absolutely divine, and the brisket is fantastic too! Prepare for your taste buds to be amazed! ❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coşkan EGEMEN
Delicious brisket sandwich ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
GK Davis
This is a great BBQ spot in SD. Great Tri tip and comfortable seating- inside and out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Peruvian White Beans
Mike Dalton
Grand Ole BBQ y Asado is a culinary haven that transports diners to the heart of Argentina with its authentic wood-fired barbecue and traditional flavors. From tender brisket to juicy ribs, each dish is a tribute to the art of slow-smoked perfection. The welcoming ambiance and communal seating create a lively atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family. Whether you're indulging in savory meats or savoring homemade sides and sauces, Grand Ole BBQ y Asado promises a memorable dining experience that's sure to satisfy barbecue enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
sin che
Ordering counter friendly. Popular ribs will sell out before close time. It’s all outdoor seating with covering.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Pauline Steele
Best Texas-style BBQ in San Diego! I’ve tried other bbq places around here and GOBYA is by far my favorite.Service/Ambiance:Our party of 4 went at 5pm on a Wednesday and there was no line to order at all, though I hear this place gets jam-packed over the weekends. Once you enter, you order at the cashier in the back corner and they call when your order is ready. It was my first time here and the lady up front was patient and helpful with my questions, and offered food/size suggestions. Food came out very quickly.Plenty of benches outside that could seat 6 to 8 people, maybe even 10 in some tables. The “indoor” section has tables, benches, booths, and seats at the bar. The whole place gives you a laid-back, barbecue with friends kind of ambiance.Parking:Street parking only but our party got lucky with multiple spots open close by.Food:Price listed is per pound for all meats and you can opt to make it a sandwich. There’s a kids menu, bar food options, and even vegan options. You can choose from different sauces ranging from sweet to spicy (though the spicy wasn’t really that spicy for me but still had good flavor). My husband and I shared this order and it was the perfect amount for us.-1/2 lb brisket ($15.50): MUST GET. They serve half fatty and half lean and it’s the perfect amount of each. Sooo tender and juicy!-1/4 lb turkey ($7.75): surprisingly very good! Thin cuts of turkey served with lots of flavor.-3/4 lb beef rib ($25.50): fall-off-the-bone good. We were lucky that there were still some left for us to order!-1/4 lb tri tip ($8): a little chewier, it was just okay for me but my husband liked the flavor. Served with their chimichurri sauce.-Green beans: I asked for recs for popular sides and it was between this and Mac and Cheese. These were just ehhh for me, I would get Mac and cheese next time.Overall, I’m so glad we finally found a good Texas-style barbecue joint here in San Diego! There were other things offered that I would love to try next time. I’d also want to try out their happy hour from 3pm-5pm during the weekdays.Vegetarian options: They have offer vegan options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Short Ribs
Jacob Poston
Delicious food good people and great flavors. The meat is some of the best in town.Kid-friendliness: They have tenders and Mac n cheese which are good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fresh Smoked Brisket
Marty Lorenzo
Great BBQ in the middle of a neighborhoodYou must try for yourself when you are in San Diego.My brother and I were staying close to the UCSD Medical Center.Found this place when I searched for BBQ in Google. It was a 16 mile drive there from where we were staying. We will be going back there again for sure.Parking: We parked on the street close by.It seams to be mostly residential.There could be more parking up and around the other side of the restaurant. Drive around and take the first spot you can find.
Staff was nice! The meat was all super dry though, and very heavily salted (and I love salty food).We came towards the end of a weekday (7:30pm), so maybe the food was just not as fresh by then. They were also out of about half the menu options, so maybe we didn't get to try the preferred choices. Unfortunately, didn't satisfy my barbeque cravings, which is a shame because barbeque is never cheap!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Texas Hot Links, Peruvian White Beans
Richer rich
The Brisket was great. I was craving BBQ and didn't disappoint. I recommend this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aram K
It’s an interesting place. My main complaint about the food there, that it’s just basically meat and bread. It doesn’t have any kind of sauce or some interesting flavors. It’s just sliced open bread and brisket…is meat there good? Yes. But such a simple combos make it hard to justify relatively expensive prices. So far I tried about 6 different items there and it’s all same meat and bread type of deal. Even burger is very simple.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Mary Lee Hernandez
Try the Grand Ole BBQ Smash Burger ?So good ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Turkey Sandwich, St Louis Style Baby Back Ribs, Fresh Smoked Brisket, Chili Cheese Fries
Daniel Maryanovsky
This pains me. It really does. But there is just no way I can grant better than 3 stars for the meal I just had. Grand ole needs to learn how to keep their meat fresh and moist for the whole of the day. And if “that’s impossible” then make less, more often. Time consuming? That’s BBQ.I had abysmally dry pork ribs that taste as if they were cut and left on a heater hours ago. The brisket was moist exactly and ONLY on the fatty bits. Somehow they managed to make meat inches away from and connected to large bits of gooey fat dry. It was only edible by chopping the fat and meat together. You will simply not get away with telling me that “that’s how brisket is.” It’s not, that’s how badly made brisket is. The ribs were categorically inedible. I would forgive that they chopped through the middle of a bone.The turkey, hot link, slaw, beans, and tri-tip were all killer, and saved this from being a 2-star review. The corn pudding (“borracho”) looked like someone poured plastic over it. Their stubborn commitment to that recipe tells us a lot about what they’re aiming for.Sadly, this issue has come up many times over the few years I’ve been coming to grand ole BBQ, even before the renovation. If you come right when the meat is finished, it’s sublime. To be fair, they are always spot on at the El Cajon location, but it’s unacceptable for a place with prices this high to ever serve meat this bad.My dinner mate, in hearing this review aloud, felt the need to remind me of the bad service. I’ll keep that out of my score for now.
Fantastic BBQ. The best I've had outside of Texas.There's a line and they sell out so get there early.On a Saturday, we showed up at about 540 and by the time we got to order they had run out of the pork spare ribs.We did get just about everything else and it was fantastic.The sauces were great too. Also don't forget the sides! We got the potato salad and had to go back and get more because it was so good. We will definitely be going back again!
I mean, if you really need BBQ in SoCal - not a lot of options. Just as overpriced as the place in Gas Lamp.The staff could have been more helpful when I asked a question clearly not answered on their menu.Meat and sides were fine but I wouldn't pay to eat here again; I'd rather wait until I'm back in the middle of the country for work or a road trip. ??♂️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
What an amazing BBQ spot! The Texan BBQ cuisine here is outstanding! I can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner. It's perfect for hanging out with friends and even bringing your furry companions during the day! The food was incredibly delicious, with generous portions. The pulled pork sandwich with its heavenly smoked flavor is absolutely divine, and the brisket is fantastic too! Prepare for your taste buds to be amazed! ❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious brisket sandwich ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
This is a great BBQ spot in SD. Great Tri tip and comfortable seating- inside and out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Peruvian White Beans
Grand Ole BBQ y Asado is a culinary haven that transports diners to the heart of Argentina with its authentic wood-fired barbecue and traditional flavors. From tender brisket to juicy ribs, each dish is a tribute to the art of slow-smoked perfection. The welcoming ambiance and communal seating create a lively atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family. Whether you're indulging in savory meats or savoring homemade sides and sauces, Grand Ole BBQ y Asado promises a memorable dining experience that's sure to satisfy barbecue enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
Ordering counter friendly. Popular ribs will sell out before close time. It’s all outdoor seating with covering.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Best Texas-style BBQ in San Diego! I’ve tried other bbq places around here and GOBYA is by far my favorite.Service/Ambiance:Our party of 4 went at 5pm on a Wednesday and there was no line to order at all, though I hear this place gets jam-packed over the weekends. Once you enter, you order at the cashier in the back corner and they call when your order is ready. It was my first time here and the lady up front was patient and helpful with my questions, and offered food/size suggestions. Food came out very quickly.Plenty of benches outside that could seat 6 to 8 people, maybe even 10 in some tables. The “indoor” section has tables, benches, booths, and seats at the bar. The whole place gives you a laid-back, barbecue with friends kind of ambiance.Parking:Street parking only but our party got lucky with multiple spots open close by.Food:Price listed is per pound for all meats and you can opt to make it a sandwich. There’s a kids menu, bar food options, and even vegan options. You can choose from different sauces ranging from sweet to spicy (though the spicy wasn’t really that spicy for me but still had good flavor). My husband and I shared this order and it was the perfect amount for us.-1/2 lb brisket ($15.50): MUST GET. They serve half fatty and half lean and it’s the perfect amount of each. Sooo tender and juicy!-1/4 lb turkey ($7.75): surprisingly very good! Thin cuts of turkey served with lots of flavor.-3/4 lb beef rib ($25.50): fall-off-the-bone good. We were lucky that there were still some left for us to order!-1/4 lb tri tip ($8): a little chewier, it was just okay for me but my husband liked the flavor. Served with their chimichurri sauce.-Green beans: I asked for recs for popular sides and it was between this and Mac and Cheese. These were just ehhh for me, I would get Mac and cheese next time.Overall, I’m so glad we finally found a good Texas-style barbecue joint here in San Diego! There were other things offered that I would love to try next time. I’d also want to try out their happy hour from 3pm-5pm during the weekdays.Vegetarian options: They have offer vegan options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Short Ribs
Delicious food good people and great flavors. The meat is some of the best in town.Kid-friendliness: They have tenders and Mac n cheese which are good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fresh Smoked Brisket
Great BBQ in the middle of a neighborhoodYou must try for yourself when you are in San Diego.My brother and I were staying close to the UCSD Medical Center.Found this place when I searched for BBQ in Google. It was a 16 mile drive there from where we were staying. We will be going back there again for sure.Parking: We parked on the street close by.It seams to be mostly residential.There could be more parking up and around the other side of the restaurant. Drive around and take the first spot you can find.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Staff was nice! The meat was all super dry though, and very heavily salted (and I love salty food).We came towards the end of a weekday (7:30pm), so maybe the food was just not as fresh by then. They were also out of about half the menu options, so maybe we didn't get to try the preferred choices. Unfortunately, didn't satisfy my barbeque cravings, which is a shame because barbeque is never cheap!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Texas Hot Links, Peruvian White Beans
The Brisket was great. I was craving BBQ and didn't disappoint. I recommend this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s an interesting place. My main complaint about the food there, that it’s just basically meat and bread. It doesn’t have any kind of sauce or some interesting flavors. It’s just sliced open bread and brisket…is meat there good? Yes. But such a simple combos make it hard to justify relatively expensive prices. So far I tried about 6 different items there and it’s all same meat and bread type of deal. Even burger is very simple.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Try the Grand Ole BBQ Smash Burger ?So good ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Turkey Sandwich, St Louis Style Baby Back Ribs, Fresh Smoked Brisket, Chili Cheese Fries
This pains me. It really does. But there is just no way I can grant better than 3 stars for the meal I just had. Grand ole needs to learn how to keep their meat fresh and moist for the whole of the day. And if “that’s impossible” then make less, more often. Time consuming? That’s BBQ.I had abysmally dry pork ribs that taste as if they were cut and left on a heater hours ago. The brisket was moist exactly and ONLY on the fatty bits. Somehow they managed to make meat inches away from and connected to large bits of gooey fat dry. It was only edible by chopping the fat and meat together. You will simply not get away with telling me that “that’s how brisket is.” It’s not, that’s how badly made brisket is. The ribs were categorically inedible. I would forgive that they chopped through the middle of a bone.The turkey, hot link, slaw, beans, and tri-tip were all killer, and saved this from being a 2-star review. The corn pudding (“borracho”) looked like someone poured plastic over it. Their stubborn commitment to that recipe tells us a lot about what they’re aiming for.Sadly, this issue has come up many times over the few years I’ve been coming to grand ole BBQ, even before the renovation. If you come right when the meat is finished, it’s sublime. To be fair, they are always spot on at the El Cajon location, but it’s unacceptable for a place with prices this high to ever serve meat this bad.My dinner mate, in hearing this review aloud, felt the need to remind me of the bad service. I’ll keep that out of my score for now.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2