Smokin J's BBQ & Taphouse
Smokin J's BBQ & Taphouse
It's our house-made, delicious bbq sauce, but spicy! We turn up the heat with Fresno peppers.
House-made sauce that is a little sweet, a little tangy, and designed to compliment your food, not overwhelm it.
Chef Rick ferments all kinds of peppers to leave your tongue tantalized.
House-made, mayo-based sauce with a little tang and a little zing. Great on brisket, burgers, and FRIES!
Unadulterated, house-made ketchup. Dip away my friends.
From the wonderful minds of those beef loving Argentinians. Throw it on your meat and bask in the glory of flavor.
It's a knife. It's a fork. It's a spoon. It's a packet of cutlery!
If we reached deep into your mind, pulled out the best dream you've ever had, smoked it for 12-16 hours, and served it on a golden platter, it would taste something like this.
The little piggy who went to the market came out succulent and full of flavor. Our pulled pork is dry-rubbed and smoked for 12-16 hours before being pulled to order.
Yeah, theyre hot. Yup, theyre sticky sweet. You just might end up covered in sauce, from your head to your feet.
If youre lucky, one day you may find an oyster with a pearl. If youre extremely lucky, one day you might wrap your lips around these mouth-watering morsels of beef.
We had to add a little surf to all this turf. These crustaceans are expertly blackened with a mix of the chefs secret spices. Served on a bed of slaw.
Ok, fine, this is an imposter in the meat section, but try a forkful of this baby and you may forget it grew on a tree.
Chef Rick is now a sausage king. Bask in his beefy glory. Smoked, juicy, and delicious (limited availability).
After bathing in buttermilk overnight we twice fry these puppies and toss them in a sauce of your choice (bbq, buffalo, slaw sauce, cajun dry-rub), or naked. Nine wings per order.
It's our namesake, so you know it must be good. Succulent brisket, mouth-watering pork belly, and delectable slaw, piled high on a toasted brioche bun. Served with fries or slaw.
This is BBQ on a bun. Slow-smoked pulled pork, perched on a bed of slaw and pickles, overflowing a toasted brioche bun Served with fries or slaw.
Our chef knows his chicken! Buttermilk brined and fried to perfection. Served with fries or slaw.
The Boneless Rib Sandwich is what happens when you take the best spare ribs in San Diego, then braise and de-bone them before throwing them back in the smoker in a bath of pork stock and The Sauce. Served on a toasted brioche bun with pickled onions. Served with fries or slaw.
A delicious grass-fed/corn-finished beef patty topped with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, and slaw sauce. Served with fries or slaw.
Some days just call for a gooey slice of childhood. Others call for a gooey slice of childhood with some brisket to feel a little more grown up. Served with fries or slaw.
Ever feel plagued by indecision when you look at our menu. Do you break out in a cold sweat when you have to choose between succulent brisket and flavorful pulled pork? Well Dr. Smokin J has just come up with this miracle cure that is sure to cure your ailment. Order this and you will get 1/4lb. of pulled pork, 1/4lb. of brisket, and juicy, crispy fried chicken (one large thigh), with 8 oz. of mac n' cheese and bean crack, and a slice of white bread.
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/2 lb of our house-made hot links with your choice of two sides, and let the rest of the world melt away.
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/3 lb of pork belly with your choice of two sides, and let the rest of the world melt away.
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/3 lb. of pulled pork and 5oz.of your choice of two sides. Then let the rest of the world melt away.
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/3 lb of brisket with your choice of two sides, and let the rest of the world melt away.
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/3 lb of burnt ends with your choice of two sides, and let the rest of the world melt away
For those days when all you want to do is crash on the couch and put on a movie, but you're still very hungry and need to solve that problem. Enjoy 1/3 lb of smoked jackfruit with your choice of two sides, and let the rest of the world melt away.
So good you'll be hooked. Navy beans smoked in pork stock and bbq sauce, with chopped onions, chopped peppers, and chunks of smoked-then-braised-then-fried pork belly.
Trust us, you like this slaw. Fresh chopped cabbage in our house-made slaw sauce. Simple and perfect.
Shells covered in the creamiest combo of smoked gouda, white cheddar, yellow cheddar, and parmesan.
Chef Rick took his grandmother's recipe, and then made it even better. You will not complain about finishing these greens.
The best brisket makes the best chili. Yeah, we put brisket in our chili, then cover it with cheese and red onions. You're welcome.
Fresh baked cornbread with whipped honey butter. Seriously, how can you turn that down?
Most commonly uttered word after someone eats our fries: "Damn!" (NOTE: fries are prepared upon your arrival to ensure they are fresh. Please plan on waiting 3-5 minutes)
This is what bacon wants to be when it grows up. Our belly is smoked, braised, pressed and chilled overnight, and then finished in the fryer. 96 hours to make, 2 seconds to devour. (One order is one piece)
Tasty house-made pork sausage link. (one order is one link)
This isn't just any 'ol bacon. This is bacon that has been cured and smoked in-house to tantalize your tastebuds and bring smiles to the children.
Crispy, golden brown hash brown patty tossed in our house-made cajun spices.
One big 'ol fluffy sweet potato pancake with just the right amount of REAL maple syrup.
Served with house-made whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Start your day with a breakfast burrito packed with smoked-then-braised-then-fried pork belly, over-easy eggs, crispy hash browns, aged-white cheddar, caramelized onions, and slaw sauce.
A hefty breakfast burrito packed with slow-smoked brisket, over-easy eggs, crispy hash browns, aged white cheddar, and house-made white gravy.
A hefty breakfast burrito packed with juicy smoked hot links, over-easy eggs, crispy hash browns, aged white cheddar, and house-made white gravy.
Our take on a Hawaiian treat. 1/3lb. naturally-raised, hormone-free beef patty topped with a hash brown, fried egg, and gravy, piled on a brioche bun.
Don't Cluckin' Tell Event - Chicken Sink
Don't Cluckin' Tell Event - Chicken Sink
Don't Cluckin' Tell Event - Chicken Sink
at Smokin J 's at Gaslamp Dowtown San Diego
Cider
a view of the dining room
a view of the dining area
the dining area
a woman walking through a restaurant
a dining room with a checkered floor
Wings (Cajun)
Breakfast burrito with brisket, sweet potato pancake in the background
The Classic
TV DInner - Brisket
outside
Outside.
interior
Best happy hour! $2.50 for a Bay City!
3x2 (Ribs, Brisket, Pork, Mac n Cheese, Beans) @ Smokin J's BBQ
outside
interior
Athena Z.
Aug 1, 2024
This was my birthday celebration, compliments of my daughter and her BF. I was really surprised to have great BBQ and a tray full of delicious choices.The cost for items are fairly priced.
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Marcie L.
Aug 14, 2024
I ordered UberEats from here twice. The first time I ordered the pulled pork dinner plate with the barbecue beans and mac & cheese, which I had delivered. The second time I ordered the half pound brisket with the chili in which I picked up.I had an unpleasant experience with my first order and despite my review no one from the restaurant cared to reach out. However the brisket I ordered this most recent time was tender and delicious. I wasn't a huge fan of the chili as I do not like spicy, and I found it to be on the spicier side.When I went to pick up my order, the staff members were very welcoming. The spot was spacious with tons of seating.
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John C.
Jul 29, 2024
My buddy and his wife wanted BBQ and they picked this place, and was pleasantly surprised on the food quality. Pork ribs and brisket were excellent! Even the collard greens and corn bread was great!Solid BBQ place all around and would love to return when in the area!
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Dung N.
Jun 21, 2024
I love barbecue and heard good things about this place. Their original location is in Poway and that's where they smoke their meats. Since we arrived around dinner time, we weren't able to try the brisket.We started with a beer for him and strawberry milkshake for me. The milkshake was smooth and creamy. We shared the spare ribs, cajun dry rub wings, hot links, pulled pork, mac n cheese, bean crack, and Cajun fries.Everything was brought out pretty quickly. Each item comes with picked onions and pickles, which I loved. My favorites were the hot links, ribs, and seasoned fries. Service was quick and friendly. I will have to come back to try their brisket next time!
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Darius O.
Jun 13, 2024
The good: the food. The food was great. The fries were crispy and had a great Cajun mix on them. They are the fries most people dream about. The smash burger was good as I didn't want bbq. The smoking j brisket was demolished very quickly.The bad: we went early when they were understaffed so the service was a little slow. But once the workers started showing up the service picked up. Overall the food outweighed the issues with service.
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Jason K.
May 29, 2024
My wife and I were staying at the San Diego Harbor over Memorial Day weekend and I noticed we have not been to Smokin' J's before. It said they opened at ten, but the pulled pork wasn't available until 11. Boo....So we walked around the Gaslamp for an hour or so, which there are worse things to do on a perfect San Diego afternoon.I ordered the pulled pork TV dinner and an IPA with collard greens and baked beans.Our bartender was super nice and refilled my wife's soda whenever she needed it.The food came out fast and it was a good sized portion. The pork didn't even need any sauce on it, which was good, but they only had one type of sauce. A mustard sauce would have been a nice accouterment.The beer paired perfectly with the moist and flavorful pulled pork, shich had a smoky wonderfulness to it.The beans were to die for and the collard greens had a nice vinegar tinge to it. Both excellent sides. The place is large and has three big TVs behind the bar. Gotta try this place.
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Heather D.
Jul 21, 2024
Went as a stop on walking food tourOwner met us at the door. Portion was large. Ambience is perfect Good beer selection. Two types of hot sauce. Friendly staff. Food: pulled pork slider was good. Came with slaw on it the way God intended. Would return
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David R.
Aug 9, 2024
Can't beat $2.50 beer... Yes two dollar and fifty cent beers! Check the menu and times... But can't beat that! We'll definitely be back! Thanks Will!!
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Frank P.
Jul 13, 2024
I was craving some brisket and stumbled upon this place. I ordered the brisket TV dinner with double mac and cheese. For a restaurant the brisket wasn't bad. It had good flavor and wasn't covered with sauce. I like tasting BBQ and not sauce. The mac and cheese was creamy and delicious. I hope to come back sometime and try some other meats.
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Amanda V.
May 7, 2024
Popped in for some BBQ while in the Gaslamp District. The 3x2 seemed like a good starting point; afterwards I wished I had gone all brisket! The house BBQ had good flavor, but I would have liked a spicy option, as well. The beans were good. I felt like the macaroni was missing something. The service was good and the wait wasn't long.
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Rated: 3.8 (900 reviews) · $$
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