Social Profile: 
✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
… View more
WE VALIDATE PARKING AT THE HORTON PLAZA PARKING GARAGE ACROSS THE STREET ($12). Serving slow-smoked BBQ in San Diego for lunch and dinner with a long tap list of local beer, cider, and craft cocktails featuring whiskey and mezcal. Founded in 2016 by a man with a smoker and a pop-up tent, Smokin J’s BBQ proudly brings authentic, slow-smoked barbecue and house-made sides to the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and classic sides including beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. Wash it down with a selection from our 18-tap system pouring only local drafts or one of our expertly crafted cocktails. Great food, bold flavor, and a true passion for barbecue, served daily with pride.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 751 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 795-1456
Website: https://www.smokinjsrealbbq.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.comrestaurent.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Smokin J’s BBQ – San Diego
At Smokin J’s BBQ, we believe great barbecue shouldn’t be rushed. Our meats are smoked low and slow with California white oak until they’re tender, juicy, …
Smokin J’s BBQ – Gaslamp Restaurant – San Diego, CA | OpenTable
Book now at Smokin J’s BBQ – Gaslamp in San Diego, CA. Explore menu, see photos and read 63 reviews: “First time there but not the last.
Chicken Taco – Smokin J’s BBQ & Taphouse
Pickup from 751 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA. Schedule your order for later. BBQ Breakfast Burritos. Breakfast is served. The Breakfast J-Rito. The mother of …
Last Updates
Reviews
Hit List
Stopped in for an early lunch and wow — those hot links alone were worth the trip. Juicy, spicy, and packed with flavor. The pork belly hit the spot, the beans were top-notch, and the spicy bbq sauce was my favorite. The pulled pork and brisket were on the dry side (I like a fattier brisket) but still tasty. Also wished there was more corn flavor in the cornbread, but overall, this place delivered. Super friendly service too. Just wish I was in town longer so I could try other items.
… moreJordan Allen
We came in for dinner after spending 20 minutes trying to find somewhere in the area that suited what we fancied, and wasn’t too loud. In the end we were very glad we visited as we were very impressed by just how good the food and drinks were! I had the tacos with Cajun fries and the cider, and my gosh it was just amazing! Really tasty food that left us satisfied, and the cider was like drinking juice, despite it being 6.9%, which made it both delicious and dangerous haha.
The atmosphere was great and we were able to talk easily, and the lady that served us was very friendly and attentive.
… moreThe atmosphere was great and we were able to talk easily, and the lady that served us was very friendly and attentive.
Lilly Bisous
We arrived closer to the end of the night, seated was quickly. Took our drink & meal order at the same time, which was pretty quick, due the waitress helping us with the menu.
* Lemonade was really good because it wasn’t too sweet & tasted like it was freshly squeezed.
* Had a few craft sodas from the San diego soda company, we tried the “ Diet cola-fornia “ lighter version of diet coke.. it was refreshing, it wasn’t as heavily carbonated as diet coke. The high light of the sodas was the pomegranate soda , it had great flavor and was refreshing.
*We got the “Table feast bbq platter “.. unfortunately they were out of Hot links which were part of the platter. We got a $8 up charge for smoked wings due the outage of hot links. But the wings were Amazing.
* The platter consisted of: 1lb brisket, 1lb pulled pork, & the 12 smoked Cajun wings that we were upcharged for. Came with 2 sides of mac n cheese, 2 sides of bbq beans, 2 sides of collard greens. 6 slices of white bread.
We added 2 orders of cornbread.
* Brisket was very tender perfect ratio between meat n fat.
* Pulled pork was juicy & flavorful,
* Smoked wings had a crispy exterior, juicy meat & a very good smoked flavor.
*Cornbread was moist & very well complimented with the honey butter.
* The mac & cheese was lacking flavor (our personal taste) but still good.
*Collard greens were decent would have used a lil more seasoning. *Bbq baked beans were yummy, not overpowered with bbq sauce.
*Their Bbq sauce was delicious our favorite was the spicy bbq option.
*We concluded our dinner with a warm cherry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The ice cream was super creamy and complimented the warm cobbler. The cherry flavorful & was perfectly balanced. wasn’t too sweet.
We appreciated Zack coming over being so attentive and educating us about their food quality & their efforts to keep most of their products local. He was welcoming, so as the other staff. We will definitely be back!
Super recommended! & happy with our choice that satisfied our party of 6.
Family friendly, welcoming atmosphere, good , good vibes, clean establishment. Close to parking (not free).
Bill Total with 20% tip: $262.
… more* Lemonade was really good because it wasn’t too sweet & tasted like it was freshly squeezed.
* Had a few craft sodas from the San diego soda company, we tried the “ Diet cola-fornia “ lighter version of diet coke.. it was refreshing, it wasn’t as heavily carbonated as diet coke. The high light of the sodas was the pomegranate soda , it had great flavor and was refreshing.
*We got the “Table feast bbq platter “.. unfortunately they were out of Hot links which were part of the platter. We got a $8 up charge for smoked wings due the outage of hot links. But the wings were Amazing.
* The platter consisted of: 1lb brisket, 1lb pulled pork, & the 12 smoked Cajun wings that we were upcharged for. Came with 2 sides of mac n cheese, 2 sides of bbq beans, 2 sides of collard greens. 6 slices of white bread.
We added 2 orders of cornbread.
* Brisket was very tender perfect ratio between meat n fat.
* Pulled pork was juicy & flavorful,
* Smoked wings had a crispy exterior, juicy meat & a very good smoked flavor.
*Cornbread was moist & very well complimented with the honey butter.
* The mac & cheese was lacking flavor (our personal taste) but still good.
*Collard greens were decent would have used a lil more seasoning. *Bbq baked beans were yummy, not overpowered with bbq sauce.
*Their Bbq sauce was delicious our favorite was the spicy bbq option.
*We concluded our dinner with a warm cherry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The ice cream was super creamy and complimented the warm cobbler. The cherry flavorful & was perfectly balanced. wasn’t too sweet.
We appreciated Zack coming over being so attentive and educating us about their food quality & their efforts to keep most of their products local. He was welcoming, so as the other staff. We will definitely be back!
Super recommended! & happy with our choice that satisfied our party of 6.
Family friendly, welcoming atmosphere, good , good vibes, clean establishment. Close to parking (not free).
Bill Total with 20% tip: $262.
Patrick Tracy
The service from Josh was excellent. He is so friendly and the food was delicious. The brisket was super tender and the rib meat just fell off the bone. The beans were great and had pieces of pork belly. The Mac and cheese was creamy and the pickled onions added a great flavor to the meats. It was my first time going and will definitely be back for more.
… moreMonét Thibou
Came here as part of a food walking tour. We had the pulled pork slider and an American lager. One of the owners of the restaurant came over to speak to us and he gave us a lot of facts about the restaurant and it’s conception. He’s a very nice gentleman! This restaurant is pristine. The decor is very comforting. The lighting was just right for an evening dining in.
I am NOT a beer girl at all but this lager was pretty great! Crisp, smooth and not too bubbly. The slider was okay. You can tell it was good quality meat but some of the meat felt a little dry to me and the barbecue sauce wasn’t great.
As a woman raised by a southern and Caribbean people if the barbecue sauce is spicy, it should have a lot of kick to it and the sauce did not. The regular barbecue sauce didn’t have enough flavor in it for me. It was still good and fine if you douse your meat in it , but I like a more flavorful barbecue sauce.
The locals say this is the best barbecue place in San Diego. As a New Yorker for me is not. They have a large menu of foods that you should totally try out for yourself, but unfortunately, I do not think I will be back for the barbecue at this place.
… moreI am NOT a beer girl at all but this lager was pretty great! Crisp, smooth and not too bubbly. The slider was okay. You can tell it was good quality meat but some of the meat felt a little dry to me and the barbecue sauce wasn’t great.
As a woman raised by a southern and Caribbean people if the barbecue sauce is spicy, it should have a lot of kick to it and the sauce did not. The regular barbecue sauce didn’t have enough flavor in it for me. It was still good and fine if you douse your meat in it , but I like a more flavorful barbecue sauce.
The locals say this is the best barbecue place in San Diego. As a New Yorker for me is not. They have a large menu of foods that you should totally try out for yourself, but unfortunately, I do not think I will be back for the barbecue at this place.
Sylvan T
I’m not a review person but I had to shoutout this place brisket nachos , I’m from NYC , visiting for the week. I’m a huge nacho fanatic , all the countries and states Ive traveled I attempted to try restaurant nachos and the brisket nacho at this place is def my top 3 , from the strong chips to the cheesiness and the brisket absolutely tasty , my gf had the wings and she was very happy ! If you’re visiting I would def recommend this place
… moreKevin Waggaman
The BEST place to eat in San Diego. Food is PHENOMENAL and very consistent. Service is top tier. And the environment is always positive. In a two day span I’ve been here 3 times. Highly recommend. Don’t skip out!
… moreJordan Kuipers
The rack of ribs was very tender and delicious. The bartender, Jake, made amazing drinks!! Also, he made helpful recommendations!
… moreOz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing experience at Smokin J’s BBQ & Taphouse!
I had the burnt ends and they were absolutely incredible — tender, juicy, and perfectly caramelized. You can truly taste the love and time that went into smoking them. They call it “meat candy,” and that description couldn’t be more accurate. A must-try!
I also had a Liquid Candy beer, which paired perfectly. Smooth, flavorful, and super refreshing — a great match for the rich BBQ flavors.
What made the visit even more special was the kind service. There was a young girl helping out so sweet and polite! Thank you Leslie.She added such a warm and personal touch to the whole experience.
Thank you, Smokin J’s, for the delicious food and the hospitality. I’ll definitely be back!
… moreAmazing experience at Smokin J’s BBQ & Taphouse!
I had the burnt ends and they were absolutely incredible — tender, juicy, and perfectly caramelized. You can truly taste the love and time that went into smoking them. They call it “meat candy,” and that description couldn’t be more accurate. A must-try!
I also had a Liquid Candy beer, which paired perfectly. Smooth, flavorful, and super refreshing — a great match for the rich BBQ flavors.
What made the visit even more special was the kind service. There was a young girl helping out so sweet and polite! Thank you Leslie.She added such a warm and personal touch to the whole experience.
Thank you, Smokin J’s, for the delicious food and the hospitality. I’ll definitely be back!
Robert Davydov
Our firm hosted an office event at Smokin J’s BBQ, and I am thrilled to share what a fantastic experience it was! From start to finish, the service was top-notch. The team went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly, and their professionalism and attention to detail were truly impressive.
The food was exceptional, and the ambiance of the restaurant created the perfect setting for our gathering. It was evident that a lot of thought and care went into making our event a success.
We write to extend a big thank you to the entire team for making our event memorable. I highly recommend this place for any special occasion and look forward to working with you again in the future!
… moreThe food was exceptional, and the ambiance of the restaurant created the perfect setting for our gathering. It was evident that a lot of thought and care went into making our event a success.
We write to extend a big thank you to the entire team for making our event memorable. I highly recommend this place for any special occasion and look forward to working with you again in the future!