Brett's BBQ: Revisited

10550 Craftsman Way #185
San Diego, Ca 92127

Back in July 2007 we reviewed a new place called: Brett's BBQ. We liked it, didn't like it, liked it, brought more people to it who liked it, and liked it a little more.

The bottom line is this: we gave them a C+ and B-, waffling back and forth. But here's the kicker, I find myself going back for more and that's saying something. So, to set the record straight we want to say this: These guys are the real deal. This is barbeque, people - and it's CERTIFIED.

The BBQ Pit

2388 Fletcher Pkwy
El Cajon, CA 92020

This place must have come from the same BBQ wagon train trail as the Wrangler Family BBQ. The décor here is very similar, but less interesting.

I took this order to go. I was eager to get a taste once I got home. All is not good brother. The beef brisket was kind of moist and tender, but was totally missing the smokiness. Same goes for the chicken. The white styrofoam container that I thought must be the BBQ sauce, really wasn’t. Thin, pale, and lacking zest, like an old hermit living his days in a rundown ghost town.

If you’re on the BBQ trail, don’t follow the “Dead End” sign that leads you to The BBQ Pit.

D

Brett's BBQ

10550 Craftsman Way, #185
San Diego, CA, 92127 in 4S

So I had to leave work and just head out to the 4S Ranch and check this one out myself. Good Bro #2 was busy bee-ing a tool for the time being. I can't blame him, he just had some B grade meat and chickless on Saturday so maybe he was a little burned out. Heck, I had some chicken wings cooked up by my cousin just the Wednesday before, you don't see me getting weak about getting some BBQ? Do ya? I'll have to deal with him Good Bro #2 later.

Back to Brett's and I'm pulling up and I can sense the light smell of smoke as I push open the front doors. Hmm... not bad, a look around and I see a bunch of old posters - I take a special note of the young BB King poster. The wall was littered with replica antique signage and framed vintage posters of Americana, stubbled with brick veneer. Construction these days - nothing's real. I only accept that kinda stuff at Disneyland, but hey, this is an upperclass strip mall.

A pretty good selection of meats: pork, beef, chicken, ribs, burger if you are under 12. There were indications as to how many hours each meat is smoked they max out at 14. Sides are classic fare: fries, potato salad, corn bread muffins, hush puppies and the like. The prices felt like I was being robbed so went for the cheapest decent eats a self-respectin man could get - pulled pork sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries! The fries were done perfectly light and crispsy, not a soggy one in the bunch. The sanwich was stacked with pork so I picked a piece out and took a whiff - lightly smokey - got a taste - OK - little dry, next piece, dip it in the sauce - better. Picked up the sandwich and all the piggies came tumbling out the bottom. Took a bite to keep me busy while i put everything back in place.

"Creeeeeek!?!" I turned around and took a look. Someone walked through the swinging saloon doors to the restroom. I saw there was another one leading to the kitchen. Hey, it that a sink in the dining area? Yes, yes it is. Good touch, definitely will be using that a little later. After the distraction I got back to business - the pork was a little dry, taste was good but I almost wanted more kick. The sauce was needed and it was nice that they put some on the sandwich and then gave you some in a container to add to your liking or dip. Although the sauce was not as good as Phil's it was pretty good. Seemed a a tad too light but it still did wonders. An occasional fry to mix it up and lemme-tell-ya-wut: still not a soggy one in the bunch! Perfect fry technique!

Updated: We got some flak for not updating this particular post (I guess no one really saw that we posted Brett's BBQ: Revisited) But just to set things straight, we have changed their grade from C+ to CERTIFIED!

I went to Jimbo's later to look around for some flour and I could still smell the smoke on my hands even after using the sink at Brett's. i would say that's a good thing.

Phil's BBQ

4030 Goldfinch St
San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 688-0559

www.philsbbq.com
This location is closed and a new location has opened on Sports Arena Blvd.

The original Mission Hills Phil's BBQ is stuff of lore. Ask anyone in San Diego where the best BBQ is and they will tell you of some place near Hillcrest where the waits are long but the food is worth it. Phil uses real smoke and some neighbors complain about the smell. Thankless bluebeards or vegetarians (i'm really not sure!) Someone tries to do it right and they want to crucify him.

I wanted to put together a group of people to start trying out some new places and this one was new to me. A few friends from work were up for the adventure and so it was eventually scheduled for a Thursday night. Loyal customers have been going to this place for years, some probably remember when the restaurant was still a house. They told me that the wait could be over an hour, and you probably want to call in your order. If you find a table, you should jump towards it with your elbows out ready to lay anyone out in your way. This is serious business.

3 cars and 5 people headed down there in their own ways and found a busy place with a short line and our food ready. Corn was good but nothing special, fries are ok, beans ok, onion rings... ok, cole slaw ok. I was rather surprised when I heard that they sell a thing called chickless. I guess it's perfect if you think that chickens have nuggets. While the meat was rather dry and tasteless, the sauce was bright, tangy, and abundant. Too abundant. In fact, I was wondering if there was any real point to Phil's other than his mastery of the sauce. The flavor was wonderfully complementary to the spice rub used on the ribs - there is some good flavor in there, it's a shame that the meat has to swim in it. It is too much of a good thing.

The mess that you make is easily washed off at the sink in the dining area so you don't have to put your paws on a bathroom door. The decor and wood keeps you entertained and there's a charm to a small converted house that has rooms.

B

Abbey's Texas BBQ

9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92123
858 279-7427

I was on lunch and had to pick up some supplies in the Clairemont area. My spidey senses told me that there was a barbecue place nearby and I was determined to find it. Abbey's is a place in an unassuming strip mall. The walls are white and the decor are a mix of fames with photos, skulls and rope and whatever else I can't remember. Florescent lighting and the tables and chairs are a little bit sticky from years of use. The woman running the place was very nice, I didn't ask her name but let's just call her Abbey. "Where do you work?" she asked. "Poway" "You're not from here." Nope.

A pork sandwich was close to 8 dollars and the bread is just regular plain white. The thing to note was that the meat had a good amount of spice and smoke. Amazingly enough, the beans had a good amount of kick too. That's unique. Most so cal cuisine is just bland. Maybe Abbey really is from Texas.

Her food supplier came in and she had to discuss the need for brown sugar not white. Nothing I needed to know about but it was nice to know that she was particular about her ingredients.

C