Abbey's Real Texas BBQ

For my first time here, I tried the smoked turkey plate with cornbread (yummy!), onion rings and mac and cheese. The turkey had a great smoky taste and the Mac and cheese was a good combo a creamy and cheesy. I prefer super crispy onion rings so these weren't for me but still tasted good. My husband had the smoked chicken wrap, which was super delicious as well! The owner had great customer service and made sure we were happy with our meal. I will definitely be returning!

I’ve eaten barbecue all over the country. From small-town pits in Texas to hidden gems in the Carolinas, I’ve tasted the best of it. So trust me when I say Abbey’s in San Diego is seriously legit. I ordered the #3 Sampler Platter with brisket and chicken. For sides, I went with mac and cheese, onion rings, and added cornbread because I have my priorities straight. The brisket was juicy with just the right amount of char. It had that smoky depth you look for without being dry or overdone. The burnt ends were incredible. The kind of bite that makes you pause and consider your life choices. The chicken breast fell apart with a fork. It was tender, flavorful, and cooked with care. Now let’s talk sides. The mac and cheese was a spiritual experience. Creamy, rich, and genuinely memorable. It tasted like someone in the kitchen really gives a damn. The onion rings were perfectly crispy on the outside, with actual flavor inside. No filler, just crunch and satisfaction. The cornbread was solid too. Slightly sweet, great texture, nothing too fancy. Just really good cornbread. I tried both BBQ sauces, and the spicy one had just enough kick to wake you up without torching your taste buds. It didn’t come to hurt you, just flirt with danger a little. Abbey’s is the real deal. This isn’t “good for California” barbecue. This is “worth flying for” barbecue. If you’re in San Diego and you skip this place, I can’t help you.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner and could tell from his outstanding attitude this place was going to be just as outstanding and it 100% did not disappoint. Great atmosphere, great customer service, and great food to top it all. Being our first time there we got 2 of the sample platters and my favorite was definitely the Brisket and Pork. Also a big thank you to Kianna for being excellent behind the counter making everything super easy and giving great recommendations! Will be returning soon!

I've been here a few times and it's a good spots to visit for BBQ. The brisket is really tender and not too smoky, but I know others may want a bit more. Portions were decent but the wings were a bit dry for my taste. One thing that's cool is their Texas Chainsaw Mammoth Sandwich. It which was HUGE and if you can eat it within their timeframe you can get on the Wall of Fame! Overall, it's a good choice for BBQ in the city.

The food tastes better than average (better than steakhouse, in n out, kind of joints). The portions are a bit small, but tasty. The place is in an old area so it feels meh, but not too bad. Furthermore I still would recommend it if you love brisket!

We had a great experience at Abbey’s with our large group! While the restaurant operates with counter service rather than table service, the setup is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of seating in various sizes to accommodate parties of all kinds. The staff was welcoming and helpful, offering great suggestions from the menu. Abbey’s serves classic barbecue platters along with tasty alternatives like burgers, a wrap, a bowl, and loaded fries. The portions were generous—many of us had leftovers to take home. Their tangy barbecue sauce was a hit and paired perfectly with everything we tried. Our group ordered a mix of items including burgers, the wrap, loaded fries, a bowl, and a brisket platter—everyone was happy with their meal. They also offer a selection of alcoholic beverages, bottled and canned drinks, and fountain sodas. Overall, we were very satisfied with our visit and definitely plan to return!

We ended up at Abby’s Barbecue by chance for my partner’s birthday after another spot we tried was closed, and I’m so glad it worked out that way. From the moment we walked in just about 40 minutes before closing the staff could not have been more welcoming or kind. We tried to hurry since we saw they were closing, even asking for to-go boxes so we could do the birthday cake outside. Instead, one of the staff members (I believe the owner’s son) encouraged us to stay and not rush. He shared that he had just turned 32 himself and then went above and beyond getting on the speaker to have everyone sing happy birthday. It was such a thoughtful and genuine gesture, and it really made the night unforgettable. On top of the incredible hospitality, the food was absolutely phenomenal. Every bite was delicious, and you can tell the care that goes into it. I can’t recommend Abby’s enough. If you’re looking for amazing barbecue paired with genuine kindness and hospitality, this is the place. We’ll definitely be back!

So everyone knows how nostalgia makes for Foodie pursuits. Was I really thinking it was possible to get Mesquite smoked, slow cooked, succulent brisket, with ranchero beans AND Potato Salad, and decent BBq sauce for that real Texas Brisket Plate I have every Sunday I am in south Texas??? The restaurant is in a plaza which made me a little nervous as to whether it would live up to my imagination, BUT Well then!! I had to grab this Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ plate to go, and yes, I broke into it the minute my take out box hit the counter!! ~And even after bad traffic and sitting there with 25 minutes of the delicious brisket smell wafting in my car, it still tasted fresh and amazing! I am so glad I drove out to La Mesa for this treat. Someone had warned me that they felt the brisket was “too dry” but not my plate! It was perfectly moist, fork tender and not a bit greasy!! The Ranchero Beans were awesomely seasoned, so delicious ! I will admit that you would not really find a lot of Texas potato salad made from skin-on red potatoes, but no complaints here as I found the potato salad was delicious! Oh And I LOVED the corn bread! It had a pleasant sweetness to it, just the way I like it!!!~I arrived just before the lunch crowd, and was served very quickly. The line after my order was already 15 people deep! I did not have time for photos as I had to get back home quickly, but it is a very nicely appointed dining area, with plenty of tables to configure for whatever size crowd you bring! The brisket was perfection, in my opinion! Enjoy! **Picture shows only a bit of the brisket in my order. There was enough for two more servings for me! And then I returned for a dine in experience and it was absolutely consistent in every way: delicious, moist brisket, great ranchero beans and potato salad, tasty corn bread!! Plenty of seating, and a thoroughly enjoyable time!! Added Pictures are from dine in!