Recommended order for first timers. El Barracho and Topo Chico Margarita.
Dino bone
Wedge salad
EL BORRACHO: Texas style brisket smothered with queso and Frito serrano relish. I know, I know. Just try it!
Pulled pork
Brisket Sandwich
Dole whip mimosa...amazing when thoroughly Mixed
The best brisket in town! The brisket was fatty and smokey delicious!!
Pickles
Pickles and bbq sauce
Lady Bird's Texas Red Chili
ribs, bbq ribs, food
The meal
Nice and cool in here 2023
Pulled pork 1/2 pound
Inside bar area
Outside under shade
El borracho nachos with pulled pork.
Live band
Alpine Duet IPA
Outside
Phamhong G.
Jul 19, 2024
WHY HAVEN'T I DINED HERE SOONER? Where have you been all my life?!My coworkers kept talking about this place so I just knew I had to try it. I drove all the way from Chula Vista and it was so worth it. Our server Jordynn was attentive and personable. THE DRINK MENU ALONE WAS INCREDIBLE!! I can't believe a bbq spot had so many unique drinks and even dole whip? And a dole whip mimosa?! Whaaaaaat. Mango margarita slushy is by far one of my favorite mango margs I've ever had. Mango michelada is also good. The topo Chico margarita was so unique and I don't even like regular topo Chico. Who even came up with the idea to create a margarita like this? It's genius. Beans are different and okay, I wouldn't get it again and prefer regular baked beans at a bbq spot. Pulled pork sandwich was good and came with 2 different types of bbq sauces, one spicy and one without. Both chilis were good. We came during dinner and they ran out of tri-trip, unfortunately. I know what I'll be trying the next time I'm back, and I'll definitely be back!!
Read MoreAlexis R.
Jul 12, 2024
Get here early!!! Whenever we have visited we have come before they open and happily waited in line because Grand Ole BBQ is WORTH THE WAIT!The decor and hospitality of the staff feels like what you'd expect from a BBQ joint. From the hostesses to the bartender we have always had wonderful, and quick service. Expect to wait if you get here on any given day - because the food is THAT GOOD!We have always ordered several types of meat and sides and eaten it family style so everyone gets to try everything! Don't underestimate the Turkey - it is our family favorite! The brisket, tri-tip, links, and turkey are ordered every visit! If you're REALLY hungry get try a burger - you can't go wrong with anything. I only wish the macaroni and cheese servings were bigger! Also - get the el boracho sauce on the side so you can smoother that stuff on everything!Bring your family and get here early! Once they run out of ribs they're done for the day - and the ribs are worth dragging your butt out of bed early!
Read MoreCindy D.
Jun 21, 2024
Grand Old BBQ wasn't my favorite as far as food and flavor, but I'd definitely go back because the ambiance was amazing! Ambiance:The restaurant is located in a somewhat remote spot between Lakeside and Alpine, which adds to the Texas-like feel. They have tons of outdoor seating, with a large covered patio and also tables with umbrellas. They are able to accommodate large groups well. (The group next to us had 20+ people). We went on a Saturday afternoon, and they had a live band playing. It made for a fun lunch, watching people dancing and kids running around the back area, having a good time.Food:Wanting to keep it light, I just got the Mac n Cheese. It was ok-- I might try something different next time.Parking:There is plenty of parking. If you can't find anything in their front lot, head around to the back dirt lot.
Read MoreHeather D.
Jul 7, 2024
This truly is the best hidden local bbq spot! We ordered the brisket sandwich which was so flavorful and had a nice coleslaw crunch to it. For the first time this week, we also tried their fully loaded cheeseburger which also didn't disappoint. For sides, we love their French fries and potato salad. A really good portion size to share as well. Their Topo Chico margarita is another favorite of mine that o always end up ordering everytime I'm here. It's so simple yet so good. The bartender did a great job managing the bar and tables! Super attentive checking in on us. Although we didn't order a ton of food, we still had leftovers!
Read MoreJordan B.
Aug 6, 2024
Currently eating at the Grand Ole Bbq in San Diego, came to try the tacos I saw on the food network and of course they don't serve them on the weekends....Ended up getting the El Borracho ribs which were also featured. After receiving them I can say they are very ummm not good and highly over rated. If I based my opinion strictly on today I wouldn't come back or recommend making the trip to this restaurant far out east. That being said I will eventually try the tacos but I highly doubt it will be any time with the extinguished excitement I am currently feeling. I will say the one redeemable thing that made the trip was the waitresses attitude and great service. 5/5 for waitress. Not to mention these ribs and a soft drink ended up costing me $60 after the tip.
Read MoreJustin F.
Apr 21, 2024
Enjoyed dinner here with my parents. There are many different kinds of smoked meats you can select from, I mostly ate the pulled pork but was able to sample many of the others as well. The brisket is also very good. I enjoyed the cocktail which was a mezcal margarita which I thought was much better than whatever my wife had. Both the food and drink portions were very generous and a good size and the larger drink was nice to wash down all the BBQ.There is a stage for live entertainment. The ambiance is very country BBQ and unique. It was pretty busy when we went in even though we got there early. There is extra parking around the back. I think I like this location better than the north park location.
Read MoreCrystal F.
Apr 15, 2024
It was my first time visiting here, I was craving some Texas style bbq and this place hit the spot. We stopped by on a Sunday, the place was packed and very busy, we were seated right away and ordered. We were told this location was on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and that the El Borracho was featured on the show and we should try it out.We ordered a brisket sandwich, a meat sampler of roasted turkey, pork ribs, pulled pork, and a Texas hot link. For sides, we ordered the El Borracho which was like a melted cheddar cheese with bits of corn chips in it, mac and cheese, the while beans and potato salad. The mac and cheese was my favorite, it was nice and creamy. They didn't have any pickles at all, we were disappointed about that. Everything we had was good and melt in your mouth.For drinks we ordered the rye old fashioned and a mint julep, bothwere strong. It was a far drive for us, but we will be back.
Read MoreChristine P.
Apr 5, 2024
If you haven't been here, you need to bookmark it and make the beautiful drive here! This was our second visit, and it was more fantastic than i remembered! First and most importantly, our server, Jordan, was a rock star. The restaurant was hosting, who appeared to be at least two local Little League baseball teams and their grown ups (parents, etc,). That means a LOT of little of little people having fun, running around, and sometimes, being a bit rascally. Jordan seemed to take it all in stride, even when a couple of kids almost overturned a heater tower. He worked incredibly hard that night and never lost his cool - we were very impressed.Now to the food... one word - wow. My mom had the pulled pork sandwich, which she said was juicy, smoky, and very delicious. My husband ordered the sandwich, and it lived up to its reputation. We had it with their smoky brisket and, in combination with the queso and Frito serrano relish, it was fire! And speaking of which, what's in that unique, piquant, kicking relish? Some may need dairy relief, and others like us think it's spicy perfection. I ordered a meal of sides - baked beans, green beans, and mac and cheese. My favorite was the mac. The smoked cheese and the super creamy and cheesy sauce made all the difference. It's on my top 5 all-time favorites list. The BBQ was great, but for me, those deliciously, sweet, fresh, and crunch-factor pickles are unmatched in flavor and texture - and I don't even like pickles! I seriously could make a whole meal out of these pickles. Later in the week, I convinced my husband we should get take out just so I could get more pickles!Seriously, there's a reason this BBQ place has been featured on so many TV shows... they're just that extraordinary!
Read MorePhil B.
Jun 12, 2024
I love BBQ and have been to well known bbq places in Texas and do my own as well. This was better than anything I've had in San Diego and comparable to some Texas places. Beef rib (from short rib, not plate rib) was enormous - one pound- and had a crusty peppery finish and was very tender throughout with no fat layer. As good as Louis Mueller in TX. Tried baby back ribs and they were equally good. A half pound was 3 ribs.Service was fast and efficient. A real treat for San Diego.
Read MoreMiguel S.
Jun 2, 2024
This place was show cased on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives for a reason. It's really delicious BBQ. We had the smashed burger and the Brisket Sandwich, they both were very tasty. We tried the side of potato salad and a side of spicy coleslaw. The staff is friendly, the service is fast and they have a bar, plenty of beers on tap and mixed drinks as well. The Dole-whip Mimosa was pretty good as well. They have plenty of parking out in front or you can also park along the roadside. They offer several of seating options; standard tables, hi-top tables, booth seating, outdoor seating, or you can sit on the bar side. The desert options looked great we just didn't have time to try them out but definitely will on our next visit.
Read More