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BBQ FAQs
Everything you need to know before you visit, order or book. Find answers about our hours, Texas-style BBQ menu, catering, private parties, happy hour, growler fills and the arcade at our La Mesa smokehouse on Lake Murray Blvd. Use the search box or tap a topic to jump straight to it.
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General Questions & Visiting
Location, hours, reservations, take-out and what to expect when you visit our La Mesa BBQ restaurant.
Where is Smokey & The Brisket located?
We’re at 5465 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942, in East San Diego County, a few minutes from Lake Murray and Mission Trails Regional Park. Heading over after a walk around the lake? Read our guide to BBQ near Lake Murray, or get directions and contact info.
What are your hours?
Monday–Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM
Friday–Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM
Sunday: 11 AM–8 PM
Holiday hours can change, so we post them on our site and social channels ahead of each holiday. Questions? Call (619) 439-6544.
Do you take reservations?
We take reservations for parties of 10 or more. Book a large party through our large party request form. Smaller groups can come in, and we’ll seat you as soon as a table opens up.
Do you have indoor and outdoor seating?
Yes. We have indoor dining and an outdoor patio, plus take-out and delivery. Inside, you’ll find a vintage 1960s Dodge A100 van turned into a bar, garage-door decor, and motorsports on the TVs.
Can I order take-out or delivery?
Yes. Order take-out online or call (619) 439-6544. Most take-out orders are ready in 20–30 minutes. For delivery, order through DoorDash. Here’s more on how our BBQ take-out works.
Is Smokey & The Brisket kid-friendly?
Very. We have a kids’ menu, an in-house arcade and a pool table, so kids stay busy while the adults eat. It’s why local families call us one of the best family restaurants in La Mesa.
Do you have a lunch special?
Yes. Our $15 lunch special runs Monday–Thursday, 11 AM–2 PM (dine-in only). Choose a Pulled Chicken Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Smokey Burger, or BBQ Chicken Salad. Upgrade your side for $3. Details on our La Mesa lunch special page.
Is there a credit card surcharge?
Yes. A 3% surcharge applies to credit card transactions.
Do you support local fundraisers?
Yes. Smokey Gives Back through our Dine for Dollars program for schools, teams and community groups. Email managers@smokeyandthebrisketsd.com to set one up.
Are you hiring?
We’re often hiring for front- and back-of-house positions. Apply in person at the restaurant, or check our contact page for current openings.
Food & Menu Questions
What we smoke, how we smoke it, and options for gluten-free and vegetarian guests.
What style of BBQ do you serve?
Texas-style BBQ cooked over wood. That means prime brisket smoked 12+ hours, pulled pork smoked 12 hours, pork spare ribs, smoked chicken, Texas sausage and burnt ends, all from our in-house smoker. Learn what makes it real Texas BBQ in San Diego, or browse the full food menu.
What kind of brisket do you use?
Natural black angus brisket graded USDA Prime. We dry-rub it and smoke it low and slow over wood for 12 hours or more. Our pit crew starts in the early morning hours. Order it by the plate, in a sandwich, or by the pound for catering.
What do you serve besides BBQ?
Plenty. We serve flatbreads made with our own dough, wings, burgers, hot chicken sandwiches, Tex-Mex tacos and nachos, salads, and our Big Tex meatloaf.
What sides do you offer?
Guest favorites include mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, cowboy caviar, mashed potatoes, beans and fries. Loaded fries come topped with pulled pork and house cheese sauce. See the BBQ sides locals love.
Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes. Menu items marked GF are made without gluten ingredients, including our loaded nachos and several salads. Please note: our kitchen is not a strictly gluten-free environment. We use shared prep and cooking areas, so there is a risk of cross-contact. Tell your server about any allergy before you order. See the menu.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Yes. Try the Roasted Veggie Flatbread, the Burnt Carrots & Cauliflower Salad (arugula, goat cheese and cilantro-lime vinaigrette), or any of our salads without the added meat. Ask your server about swaps.
Do menu items ever sell out?
Yes. Real smoked BBQ takes all day to make, so we smoke a set amount each day. Popular items like burnt ends can run out, especially at dinner. Come early or call ahead at (619) 439-6544 to check.
Do you have daily specials?
Every day has a deal:
- Burger Monday
- Tex-Mex Tuesday
- Breadnesday: 20% off all flatbreads and pizzas
- Thirsty Thursday: happy hour all day
- Sidecar Sunday: $3 sidecars after 6 PM and $5 mimosas all day
Specials are dine-in only. See this week’s daily specials.
BBQ Catering & Large Orders
Feeding a crowd? Here’s how our BBQ catering and family-size meals work.
Do you offer BBQ catering in San Diego?
Yes. We cater office lunches, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners, holiday gatherings, watch parties and block parties across the San Diego area. Start your order with our catering request form. Here’s why La Mesa picks us for BBQ catering.
How is catering priced?
Catering is priced by the pound, so you order for your real headcount instead of a set package. Choose from prime brisket, 12-hour pulled pork, Texas sausage links, bone-in smoked chicken and spare ribs. Sides come in quart, half-tray and full-tray sizes. Current prices are on the catering page.
Is there a minimum catering order?
Yes. The minimum is 5 pounds of meat, so catering works for small get-togethers as well as big events.
What are the “For the Crew” family meals?
Ready-made BBQ spreads for groups:
- Crew A (feeds 4–6): 1 lb prime brisket, 1 lb pulled pork, 1 whole smoked chicken, 1 sausage link, four 16 oz sides and fresh bread
- Crew B (feeds 12–14): double the meat, plus 32 oz of each side
How do I place a large order or catering request?
Fill out our catering request form with your date, headcount, and whether you need pickup or delivery. Our team will follow up to confirm the details. For a quick large take-out order, call (619) 439-6544.
Private Parties, Holidays & Events
Birthdays, holiday parties, game days and group dinners in La Mesa.
Can I host a birthday party at Smokey & The Brisket?
Yes. With BBQ, a full bar, an arcade and a pool table, we’re a go-to for birthday parties in La Mesa. For 10 or more guests, reserve through our large party form.
Do you host holiday parties?
Yes. We host holiday parties in the restaurant and also do holiday to-go orders and catering. See our holiday party options or call (619) 439-6544.
Do you offer holiday menus?
Yes. We run special menus for holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Each menu is posted on our site and social media ahead of the holiday.
Can I watch the game at Smokey & The Brisket?
Yes. Our TVs show football and other big games, plus motorsports like NASCAR, MotoGP and Motocross. Here’s how to watch football the right way in La Mesa.
Where can I find upcoming events?
Check our events calendar for what’s coming up, including our Brews & BBQ craft beer festival, watch parties and seasonal promos.
Bar, Happy Hour & Growler Fills
Craft beer, cocktails, happy hour times and growlers to go.
When is happy hour?
Happy hour runs 2 PM–5 PM, and on Thirsty Thursday it runs all day, 11 AM–9 PM. You get discounted food, beer pitchers, draft beer, house cocktails and house wine. Happy hour is dine-in only. See the happy hour menu or read why it’s one of the best happy hours in La Mesa.
What beer do you have on tap?
We pour a rotating lineup of San Diego and California craft beer, including brews from Bay City, AleSmith, Latitude 33, Societe and Ballast Point. We also carry ciders, hard seltzers and hard kombucha. See the current drink menu.
Do you fill growlers?
Yes. We fill growlers from our rotating taps using a counter-pressure system that keeps oxygen out. A sealed, cold growler stays fresh for up to two weeks. More on growler fills in La Mesa.
Do you serve cocktails and wine?
Yes. Our house cocktails include the Smokey Spicy Margarita, Blackberry Bourbon Smash, Whiskey Sweet Tea and Pineapple Mule, plus red and white wines by the glass or bottle. View cocktails & wine.
Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes. Many house cocktails come as mocktails. We also have Corona N/A, sodas, Mexican Coke, sweet and unsweetened tea, lemonade, juice and coffee.
Arcade, Pool & Brews & BBQ
The only BBQ restaurant in San Diego with its own arcade.
Do you really have an arcade?
Yes. We’re the only BBQ restaurant in San Diego with an in-house arcade. It’s inside the restaurant and open during regular dining hours. Read more about the BBQ restaurant with an arcade or visit the arcade page.
Can kids play in the arcade while we eat?
Yes. The arcade is inside the restaurant, so kids can play while parents stay close by and finish their meal. It’s a big reason families make us a weeknight regular.
Do you have a pool table?
Yes. There’s a pool table in the arcade area that works for beginners and regular players alike. See where to play pool in La Mesa.
What is Brews & BBQ?
Brews & BBQ is our craft beer and BBQ festival, with live music and vendor booths. Past events have had free entry and a ticket option for unlimited craft beer. Check the Brews & BBQ page and our events calendar for the next date.
Still Have a Question?
Call us at (619) 439-6544, send a message, or stop by 5465 Lake Murray Blvd in La Mesa. We’re happy to help.