Phil’s BBQ – Get your dibs on the ribs

The line is always out the door at Phil's (from 'ZakVTA' via Flikr)

As cliché as this might sound when talking about barbecue, there is only one way to describe the food at Phil’s BBQ – mouthwatering. Whether it is the beef, pork or chicken, the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy.

A little over ten years ago, owner Phil Pace opened a restaurant in Mission Hills. It was a small space with only four employees, but the neighborhood buzz grew and soon the restaurant had customers lining up outside the doors for a taste of Phil’s secret BBQ sauce. Today, the restaurant is located on Sports Arena Blvd in a space that is huge by comparison, but customers are still spilling out the doors waiting for their chance to sit down and bite into some tender ribs.

Inspiration for the top-secret BBQ sauce came from Phil’s family who were restaurateurs themselves. The family’s signature spaghetti sauce was the starting point for Phil’s culinary genius. Many people in San Diego can attest to that genius, as Phil’s BBQ has served over one million pounds of the tasty BBQ sauce since the restaurant first started.

The concept for the restaurant is fast, casual dining meaning that you order your food at the counter, get a buzzer and then go find a table. You’ll be buzzed once your food is ready. That’s it, pretty quick and simple. This concept of limited self-service helps to keep the costs down so the prices are really affordable.

The current location of Phil’s BBQ is large and roomy with plenty of tables even if the line is out the door. (Ever wondering just how long the line is – check out the BBQueue Cam on the website.) Blues music, Phil’s personal preference, will be playing in the background and sporting events will be available for viewing on the large flat-screen plasma TVs scattered around the dining room.

It will take several trips to this award-winning restaurant to explore all the mouthwatering items on the menu. The mesquite grilled ribs come in two varieties, pork (Baby Back) and beef (Beefy). The usual side dishes are available like coleslaw, baked beans and corn on the cob. The French fries are slender and crisp and the “colossal” onion rings are truly huge. A must-try item on the menu is the BBQ Broham sandwich, which is seasoned pulled pork atop a bed of coleslaw.

Owner, Phil Pace, is committed to the local community and Phil’s BBQ is an active supporter of many great organizations including Rady’s Children’s Hospital, San Diego Blood Bank, Big Brothers and Sisters and Lions, Tigers and Bears. During the past ten years, Phil’s BBQ has contributed over a quarter of a million dollars to these and other charitable organizations.

To get the full “Phil’s Experience” you have to order up some ribs and use your hands to tear apart the moist, tender ribs. There won’t really be much tearing since the meat is ready to fall off the bone. BBQ sauce will most likely be dripping down your fingers but don’t worry there are plenty of paper towels available and even a couple of hand washing stations. You’ll soon discover for yourself just how delicious the food is and you won’t be shy anymore about diving right in. As Phil likes to say, “get your dibs on the ribs.”

Phil’s BBQ
3750 Sports Arena Blvd.
Pt. Loma
619.226.6333
www.philsbbq.net