La Mesa Lunch Special: Real Smoked BBQ for $15 (Yes, Really)

10 Oct La Mesa Lunch Special: Real Smoked BBQ for $15 (Yes, Really)

Finding a satisfying lunch that doesn’t drain your wallet can be challenging. At Smokey and the Brisket, we’ve solved that problem with our $15 lunch special available Monday through Thursday from 11AM to 2PM. This La Mesa lunch special includes your choice of four different menu items and a soft drink, making it one of the most compelling values in San Diego County.

Our custom BBQ restaurant offers authentic smoked meats served on fresh brioche buns, with portions that actually fill you up. The lunch special isn’t just about price—it’s about delivering restaurant-quality food during your limited break time. Whether you’re a local business professional, a remote worker looking for a change of scenery, or someone running errands, our lunch special fits your schedule and budget.

What Makes This Lunch Special La Mesa’s Best Value

The $15 price point includes a complete meal with a soft drink. That’s cheaper than most fast-casual chains, but the quality is miles ahead. We’re talking about meat that’s been smoked low and slow, not reheated from a bag. Each sandwich comes on a toasted brioche bun—not a generic hamburger bun—with house-made coleslaw and our signature BBQ sauce.

Compare that to other lunch options around town. You’ll spend nearly the same amount at a sandwich chain or burger joint, but you won’t get the same depth of flavor or quality ingredients. Our pulled pork and pulled chicken are smoked on-site, and our burgers are made from fresh beef, not frozen patties.

The Four Options That Set Us Apart

You get to choose from four distinct items, each crafted to showcase different aspects of BBQ cooking:

Classic Smoked Sandwiches:

• Pulled Chicken Sandwich: Tender smoked chicken piled high with coleslaw and BBQ sauce
• Pulled Pork Sandwich: Traditional low-and-slow pork shoulder with our house slaw

Beyond Traditional BBQ:

• Smokey Burger: A half-pound patty topped with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, fresh tomato, and crisp lettuce
• BBQ Salad: Fresh greens loaded with avocado, black beans, roasted corn, cherry tomatoes, and smoked pulled chicken, served with Fritos and cilantro ranch on the side

The variety means you can come back multiple times per week without menu fatigue. One day you’re craving traditional pulled pork, the next you want something lighter like the salad. The options cater to different moods and appetites.

How Our Monday-Thursday Window Works

The lunch special runs from 11AM to 2PM, Monday through Thursday. This three-hour window gives you flexibility whether you take an early lunch at 11:30 or a later break at 1PM. We structured the timing to accommodate different work schedules and lunch rush patterns.

Why not Friday? We reserve Fridays for our full menu pricing to manage weekend demand. But Monday through Thursday gives you four opportunities each week to take advantage of the special. That’s 16 chances per month to get a quality BBQ meal for $15.

The Side Situation: Standard or Upgraded

Every lunch special comes with our standard side. For an additional $3, you can upgrade to premium sides like our mac and cheese, baked beans, or loaded potato salad. The standard side is already generous, but regulars often spring for the upgrade when they want to make lunch feel more substantial.

This best lunch spot La Mesa has to offer doesn’t nickel-and-dime you with hidden charges. The $15 base price includes everything you need for a complete meal. The upgrade is purely optional for those who want to enhance their experience.

Why Location Matters for Your Lunch Break

Finding us is straightforward. We’re located in La Mesa with ample parking, so you’re not wasting precious lunch minutes circling the block. The restaurant layout allows for quick service—you can be in and out in under 30 minutes if you’re pressed for time, or you can sit and relax if you have a longer break.

The neighborhood location means you’re not fighting downtown traffic or paying for parking. Local business owners and employees make up a significant portion of our lunch crowd because we’re convenient without the urban hassles.

What Regulars Say About Consistency

Customers return week after week because the quality never wavers. The pulled pork tastes the same on Monday as it does on Thursday. The brioche buns are always toasted. The coleslaw is always fresh and crisp. This consistency comes from strict prep standards and experienced kitchen staff who’ve been with us since we opened in 2020.

You know exactly what you’re getting, which matters when you’re making a quick lunch decision. There’s no gambling on whether today’s batch will be good or mediocre. We maintain the same standards regardless of how busy we are.

Ready to Experience the Difference?

Stop by Smokey and the Brisket any Monday through Thursday between 11AM and 2PM to try our lunch special for yourself. At $15 with a drink included, you’re getting authentic BBQ at a price that respects your budget. Visit us in La Mesa and discover why locals consider this their go-to lunch solution four days a week.