Phil's BBQ is an american bbq restaurant in Point Loma, San Diego.
Phil's BBQ in San Diego is the Sports Arena Boulevard barbecue counter, a Texas-leaning shop with mesquite-smoked beef ribs, pulled pork and the famous onion.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Beef ribs, Pulled pork sandwich, Onion ring tower
Must order: The Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion ring tower for the table.
Tip: Take-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
Address: 3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
Carnitas' Snack Shack Embarcadero in San Diego is Hanis Cavin's harbour-front Mexican-American pork counter on North Harbor Drive, the larger waterside.
Signature: Triple threat sandwich, Carnitas tacos, Schnitzel sandwich
Order: The Triple Threat sandwich, layering pulled pork, bacon and pork schnitzel; the carnitas tacos.
Tip: Indoor and outdoor seating with a harbour view; arrive before 7pm to get a patio table.
The Crack Shack in San Diego is Richard Blais and Michael Rosen's Little Italy fried-chicken yard since 2015, attached to Juniper and Ivy. Priced at $$.
Signature: Firebird chicken sandwich, Coop deville (10-piece), Schmaltz fries
Order: The Firebird spicy chicken sandwich; the schmaltz fries with sherry-vinegar mayo.
Tip: All outdoors; bring a sweater for marine-layer mornings. The Coop Deville feeds a table of four.
Fonda del Barrio in San Diego is Gerry Torres's ancestral Mexican kitchen on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, cooking Oaxacan moles and Mayan achiote rubs.
Signature: Pollo en mole de guayaba, Puerco manchamanteles, Yucatan cochinita pibil
Order: The 27-ingredient pollo en mole de guayaba; one mezcal flight to start.
Tip: Closed Mondays; weekend brunch is the quieter window to land a patio table.
Addison in San Diego is William Bradley's three-Michelin-star tasting room at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the only three-star kitchen in Southern California.
Signature: Tasting menu, Caviar service
Order: The full tasting menu; the seasonal caviar course is the room's signature.
Tip: Tasting menu only; book six weeks ahead, jacket preferred. Pair with a Grand Del Mar overnight if the budget allows it.
Born and Raised in San Diego is Consortium Holdings' Art Deco steakhouse on India Street in Little Italy, with tableside Caesars, a martini cart.
Signature: Tableside Caesar, Dry-aged ribeye, Tableside martini cart
Order: The 35-day dry-aged ribeye for two, plus the tableside Caesar built at the table.
Tip: Book the rooftop for Pacific sunsets; the martini cart only runs the main dining room downstairs.
Herb and Wood in San Diego is Brian Malarkey's Kettner Boulevard room in Little Italy, a rustic wood-fired Mediterranean kitchen with a courtyard patio.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Roast chicken, Charred octopus
Order: The wood-fired roast chicken for two; the charred octopus to start.
Tip: The covered patio is the move on warmer evenings; the bar runs full menu for walk-ins.
