Papalo BBQ

Have been here 4-5 times now. Yes, the first time we tried to go at dinner they were already sold out. But honestly I’m all for reducing food waste & keeping prices lower by keeping food costs down. Only had to wait to order once, and every time the food comes out super quickly. The meat has been excellent across the board - flavorful, smoky, and moist. The ribs basically fell off the bone and there are just layers of flavor. For sides, I personally found the cornbread too sweet (my southern husband loved it though). The Mac & cheese has been SO consistently good, moist and not overcooked. The citrus slaw is really great and not heavy or overpowering. Tortilla, beans, chips are all good too. The horchata and Jamaica are also amazing. The atmosphere is lively and can get a bit loud if all the tables are full, but the music is always good. Staff is so so friendly! I was impressed my first visit when they offered to hold the dessert until we were done with our food. They check in to make sure the food is good and the chef really seems to appreciate honest feedback and wants to discuss the food.

Came here for a quick snack during Oktoberfest. Definitely better priced than the last restaurant that was here. The macaroni and cheese was quite interesting - very different than most any Mac and cheese I've ever had. Not sure what type of cheese was used or crumbled over the top, but it was quite tasty.

Papalo is excellent, one of my favorite BBQ spots. It’s Sonoran style, so don’t expect Texas style brisket. I’ve tried almost every items on the menu, and swing by for new items too. My favorites are the beef Chuck, mole chicken, and ribs. The sides are very good too. Chef Drew knows what he’s doing; he and his team perform extremely well with high quality food and service. They tend to sell out at unpredictable times, so your best bet is to go early. Parking is not bad, you may get lucky with meter parking when it’s busy, or some side street parking, or the secret parking (iykyk). I wish the burger was a permanent item, but that’s dictated by demand and that’s pretty unpredictable too. I’m lucky I don’t live close or I would gain so much weight coming here so often 😂

Unexpected but overall an extremely delicious experience. Ordered a combination meal, which came with two sides with choice of a rotating menu of three meats. I ordered the machacha (half beef half pork) with sides of coleslaw and creamy pinto beans. It was shocking how great the flavor profile was for all of the items. And the quantity was an amazing deal for the price point! Check it out!

I don’t get bbq that much because I’m often disappointed. Papalo is amazing!! You can taste how fresh the ingredients are and the care that goes into the meat. We got the Cherry glazed pork rib tips, beef chuck steak, slaw, and the elote. Everything was so flavorful and well balanced. The slaw was so fresh. The elote was some of the best I’ve had- modern flavors yet still traditional. The meat was tender and juicy— not dry at all. Can’t wait to come back to this gem!!

Best BBQ I've ever had in the San diego area. Never disappoints. Ribs and rib tips are my favorite. Cheap beer on tap and great vibe makes it my go to Friday afternoon work and hang spot. They go until sold out, so get there early for full selection, but not too early or you'll wait in line cause its that good.

Swung by this restaurant between appointments and I was pleasantly surprised. I am a HUGE mole fan. To see a "mole bbq chicken" item on the menu meant I had to try it out. The chicken was cooked to perfection, the smokiness was present, and the bbq/mole wasn't too overpowering. Can't wait to be back soon!

This place I came across and it looked nice with a good interior, so I came in with my family and asked the waiter to get whatever was best. This burger was filled with a lot of stuff and this burger was the best I’ve had because it was unique and really different. San Diego doesn’t have much burger places that really surprise me but this one did

I was so excited to find this spot. I've had it once when it was located in downtown SD, but this location is better for them. Every dish has a unique take and I've enjoyed them all. My favorite has to the grilled chicken sandwich.. wow. It truly is so juicy, flavorful, with a lovely char. The pickles perfectly offset the chicken and sauce. I also love the beans and chips, as well as their cornbread, which feels a bit like Hawaiian butter mochi (which I love). I've also had their ribs before and that was fantastic too. Papalo is worth a visit!

I hate to say it, but I saw this one coming from a mile away. Papalo had all the signs of a place that was bound to close--and, unfortunately, it did. The owner had a bad work ethic that was painfully obvious every time I visited. It was clear from the start that he wasn't invested in the business, and it showed in every aspect, from the mediocre BBQ to the lackluster service. The food itself was decent when it first opened, but it quickly became apparent that quality was not a priority. The owner would often be absent, leaving the staff to run the place with little to no guidance. Orders would get mixed up, portions were inconsistent, and the same dishes tasted completely different depending on who was in the kitchen. The place was constantly understaffed, which meant long waits for food and a general sense of chaos. But what really tipped me off was the owner's questionable business decisions--cutting costs wherever possible, from sourcing cheap ingredients to slashing staff hours. There was no effort to invest in maintaining the place or even improving customer experience. It felt like he was just trying to milk it for whatever he could before packing up shop. Honestly, it's not a surprise that they're gone now. A business can't survive on bad management and poor decisions, no matter how good the BBQ could've been. It's a shame, but with the owner's approach, I knew it wouldn't last long.

I tried this restaurant when they first opened and let me tell you, their food tastes so much better now. That is usually a good indication. Their corn bread is absolutely delicious. The saffron rice is almost addicting as it is not oily and the seasonings are just right as to not make it feel "heavy". We had the chicken mole, ribs, and the chuck steak-everything was good! My boyfriend cannot stop raving about it. I would definitely choose to go here than the usual bbq spots as the food is prepared meticulously and are made to complement each other. Not to mention their service. Thank you Israel for your wonderful service and for welcoming us with our puppy. It was nice meeting the team.

This month our team lunch was held at Papalo Bbq. Place was busy Thursday at lunch. Chef Drew's Sonoran desert bbq's fame has spread. There were some tempting choices on the menu but I could not resist the cherry glazed ribs. Ribs were tender and moist. Loved the flavors which included a bit of sweetness from the sauce, smoky aroma, and a hint of the Sonoran desert from the herbs. Service was friendly and efficient. Chef Drew came out and checked on us as we were finishing up.  Glad to see Papalo Bbq is as busy on weekdays as when I visited on the weekend.

The food here is delicious and it was a nice surprise! I usually find food around the La Mesa area pretty average, but Papalo exceeded my expectations. This restaurant serves up Sonoran style Mexican BBQ. The plates include a protein with your choice of two sides. We got a plate of BBQ Mole Chicken with chips and mac & cheese. And the other plate was Pork Shoulder, coleslaw, and cornbread. I don't like chicken much, but this chicken was one of the best I've had in a while! The chicken meat was juicy and tender. The mole bbq sauce was a good balance of savory and slightly sweet. The pork shoulder was nice and fatty. The pork shoulder portion was small but for good reason, it was satiating and I couldn't eat more. All the sides and sauces provided were amazing! Service was the usual. The staff were helpful and friendly. Overall, this was a great experience and I'm looking forward to coming back.

La mesa bbq SONORAN STYLE BARBECUE Small seating area Large lines Fast service Mole bbq sauce Ribs Corn bread Barbacoa Different from American bbq Worth to try

This place was BUSY on a Sunday lunch. We came at 12:30 and there was a line out the door. It probably took 20 min to order and then another 20 to get our food. The guy at the counter did mention they were short staffed but they were still very friendly and helpful with answering any questions we had. I got the smoked chicken sandwich which comes with a smoked chicken thigh dipped in their white BBQ sauce and a slaw. All sandwiches come standard with chips and beans. The sandwich was AMAZING. Sooo flavorful with a good amount of smoke. The texture from the slaw added a nice crunch and tang. The chips were very good and of the thicker variety. The beans were different than normal. More blended. But good flavor as well. My partner got the rib tips with a side of slaw and the cornbread. He thought the rib tips were a good flavor and it was different having salsa Verde on it. A good acidity. The only meh was the cornbread. They do warn you that it's gluten free but it just ate realllllly dry and the flavor was just mid.

Visited 5/3/2024 Hi Foodies. Well it was time yesterday to try this place out. It has a lot of hype and sounded good. The menu isn't large and inconsistent form day to day. They seem to serve whatever they feel like serving on any given day. Their #1 Seller The Smoked Cherry Pecan Glazed Pork Ribs sadly are only available now and then and they are said t sell out early. One local told me it took four visits before he got to try them and he was there when they opened. He did say they were Amazing. I got there Friday thinking because it was a weekend they would have the top dishes for a Weekend. Sadly no. I ordered a platter with all the Meats of the day and no Sides. $40.00 Enough for two without any sides. Everything is extra. The Beef of The Day. (Beef Birria) Very Good. Tender and Juicy. The Pork of The Day. (Brazed Carnitas). My Favorite of the Day. Wonderful. Would order again for Sure as well as The Birria. The Chicken of The Day. (Mole BBQ) Tender yet still Moist and Tender. And The Morita Salsa Pork Ribs. (My least favorite. I can't Recommend) Wish I could have tried The Smoked Cherry Pecan Glazed Ribs. Why they don't make Their Number #1 Dish Every Day boggles my mind especially on Weekends. ‍‍‍ It's a nice little place and everyone is friendly. They have Tasty Food but bring a fat wallet as everything cost extra. Not sure if I'll take the drive again without Calling First to see what They Think you should Eat That Day. I Had to try it because it sounded Good and what I had Was except the Ribs. I hear the Sides are very good. Perhaps I'll try them someday.\ I Suggest You Call first so you know what your getting that day.

I never go out to La Mesa but I just happened to be in the area & I'm so glad I got to try this place. Unfortunately they had run out of a lot of the meats by the time I got there but I was able to try the cherry glazed pork ribs. They DID NOT disappoint. The meat fell off the bone and the sauce was super flavorful. I also tried the corn bread, which I normally never get because I personally don't like corn bread. However, I'd actually get it again here. Highly recommend checking out this spot if you're in La Mesa.

What a phenomenal gem! Can't wait to come back in to try more of that Sonoran-style #bbq Here's what we had ~ Pork Ribs in Salsa Verde Smoked Beef Birria Thompson Heritage Ranch Whole Hog Carnitas Ground Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Citrus Pickled Slaw Mac n Cheese Pinto Beans Mexican Saffron Red Rice Chips & Molcajete Salsa If you haven't checked out Papalo yet, you're missing out! @life.of.felina #sandiegobbq #sandiegodining #sandiegodrinks #sandiegofood #sandiegofoodie #sandiegofoodies #sdfood #sdfoodie #sdfoodies #foodblog #foodblogger #foodbloggers #foodiesofig

We came here at lunch time on a Friday and man it was busy! They do a great job of getting the line moving but don't expect the food to come out extremely fast - definitely worthy the wait! And the staff are very friendly and make sure you have everything you need once they deliver the food (this is order at the front and then they bring you the food) It looks like they have happy hour from 12-4 that has $6 margaritas and a 2$ beer on tap. The best things were: - the pork special (pulled pork) - beef ribs - pickled coleslaw (delicious!!) - cornbread (definitely sweeter than other cornbreads but oh so good!) Things that were just mediocre - beef with the chinuchurri tasted a bit dry and chewy - Mac and cheese Overall, this place is delicious if you want interesting style bbq that changes the menu frequently. Definitely coming back to try other things.

Husband and I came to try this location during a weekend for a quick lunch. There was plenty of seating and we were able to order and receive the food within 10mins. Everything was so delicious! We didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised at the quality and tenderness of the meats. It was a very casual dining experience and I would 100% recommend for others to try.

This place was delicious! Chicken sandwich had so much flavor. Chicken was very tender. Ribs were solid. Loved the flavors. Corn was perfect. I'll definitely be coming back. Their menu changes frequently from what I can tell, which I like.

Picked up catering 12 people for a bday. I arrived early 20 mins early and received excellent customer service. They served me a drink while I waited . The food was delicious. I had 2 servings of everything. My son loved the Mac and cheese and he's picky eater. My favorite was the shredded pulled pork and beef with flour tortilla. The corn bread was delicious. It almost is like a dessert with toasted coconut on Top. My husband enjoyed the chicken mole , tri tip. Definitely will go back

Blessed mother cherry pork ribs are from another planet of deliciousness. The ribs are bursting with amazing flavors I can't even recognize. We WILL be back to try their other offerings. We kinda thought oh another bbq place to try, but no.... this is unique. Try the ribs and your taste buds will thank you.

We've been here at least 4 or 5 times. Each time the food has been great. Today, the food is still good, but what's up with the mole chicken quantity?? On the board it says 1/2#. I didn't pay attention to it because when I've gotten it in the past, it's been the 4 chunky slices of meat. Well, today it was a drumstick and thigh. Such a small serving. How do I know? I'm still hungry. The flavors were there, it was good, but the serving size is so small for the cost. I understand that there are product costs, etc. (that's why the mac & chz is no longer on the menu), but this serving size and change from the chunks of meat to a drumstick doesn't seem right/fair. That's my opinion. We also got the McPappa which was pretty freaking delicious. Unfortunately, for the drive here and costs, I'll stick to something closer to me until "prices come back down". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for reaching out. 1. Sometimes it takes an "off" experience to prompt someone to right a review; unfortunately that was the situation for me here. I still acknowledged that the food was great in my initial post. 2. The one time you came by the table (not including when the food was dropped off), we were eating. The food was good; never insinuated that it wasn't. But it's human nature for most people to not be confrontational or want to call out smaller portions to the chef, especially in a public dining setting. 3. No one is asking you to cut down on quality. That is one thing that is great about your food: quality ingredients and taste. I get it: prices are not going down. For everyone. There will always be a debate on who the burden falls on more between the producer and the customer. In this situation, I didn't feel it was fair that the customer had to bear the majority of the cost for the quantity of the food. Other customers can make their own discernment. Most people will glaze over my review and do just that. Some people will appreciate the "heads up" on how far their dollar will stretch here. Take care.

BEAN BEANS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!...... Want to know what a Mexican BBQ restaurant is like well stop by Papalo for some smoked ribs and pinto beans!!!! Ok I almost gave this place 3 stars but, I have to show some appreciation for what they are attempting which is Texans BBQ with south of the border flavors and they get the extra star for that attempt alone... Texas BBQ has traditional dishes that we all love and have had great versions of (Mac chees baby back ribs corn bread etc) so with that sad it can be hard to compete ..... but Papalo holds it own with goo ms execution and well flavored food! I order the chicken sand which for my son he hates it but he's 11yr a old what does he know , so we swapped plates and I ate his sand which and he had my birria.... That chicken sand whos was very good and had some unique flavors that I could put my hand on what the actual where , it was well breaded and it was a juicy not dry at all chicken breast (juicy to the pint is made the bread soggy, so amazing ) My wife had the ribs she said they where tuff which they sort of were but I have tigers teeth and ripped every rib she let me have into shreds! Again more flavors that tasted of Mexico but didn't know if it was chipotle or tamarindo mixed with Texas smoke... all ver very great attempts my wife loved the wedge salad and the White BBQ sauce! Yes y'all. WHITE BBQ SAUCE(it's confusing and ironically more Texas then brown BBQ sauce haha Jkjk ) as confusing as it sound that stuff was Delian's unique yet again with flavors! Ok I don't want to drag this one but there where 4 items we had that where 5 star quality and taste and 100% Authentic in taste, The Horchata, the Jamacha and the RICE AND BEANS! We live steps away from the boarder in a town fully of hundreds of taco shops and 10% have good rice and beans and zero have made beans like these!!! Look if my abuela could eat these she would cry and say I can rest easy knowing one of my grandchildren paid attention!!! AKA THEM BEANS WAS FIRE!!!! And they sat on a bed of fluffy rice with perfect flavor!! Bravo y'all. Look I may only stop back to eat rice and beans and have some drinks but keep going! La Mesa Loves having you!

Had to try something new and local. Well looking through list of restaurants to try. I wanted something different so I found this PAPALO Sonoran BBQ! And man was like blown away by the food. I'm the East Coast guy, so I'm typically always inclined to try Italian Spanish Caribbean Latin style of dishes. So I was pleasantly surprised when we came across this little gem. My son had a fried chicken with mac & cheese, and a biscuit . This was a southwestern mac & cheese. I had a little bit of a twang to the taste, but it was very good, but got me was the biscuit I kept stealing away from him because it was so sweet. I wasn't sure how to describe it... let's just call it Mexican cornbread or Latino cornbread lol! I had some barbecue ribs, fell off the bone. Literally it could've been cooked. Any better seasoning was off the charts. I was eating effortlessly when I looked at my plate. It was all gone and I was sad. If you're looking for something different when it comes to Mexican, food or barbecue look no further than this place telling you you're gonna love it it feels like you're eating in the backyard and it's wonderful!

Papalo in San Diego is the place to be if you want your taste buds to dance and your feet to follow suit! The food here is bursting with flavor--every bite is a fiesta. The music sets the perfect vibe, making the whole place come alive with energy. As for the service, it's on point--friendly and efficient, without missing a beat. Whether you're there for the food, the tunes, or just to soak in the lively atmosphere, Papalo delivers on all fronts. Just be warned: you might leave with a craving for more and a playlist full of new favorite songs. Cheers to great food, awesome beats, and top-notch service! Whether you're there for the food, the tunes, or just to soak in the lively atmosphere, Papalo delivers on all fronts. Just be warned: you might leave with a craving for more and a playlist full of new favorite songs. Cheers to great food, awesome beats, and top-notch service!

The food was outstanding and a fresh take on Mole! The sauces for the tender brisket were also tangy and delicious. The cherry glazed ribs were succulent and tender. It's a cozy little place and our server was friendly and attentive.

All recommendations made by staff were absolutely spot on. They were quick and helped with everything we needed! Cherry Glazed Pecan Pork Ribs are INSANE. The white sauce (no idea what that is) is amazing pairing with it. Ribs have good bark and are super tender. Sonoran steak was amazing as well with chimichurri sauce and mole bbq sauce, meat is tender and easy to eat! Pork shoulder was probably 3rd place, but was super good still too, very flavorful, very sweet! Out of all the sides, the cornbread stood out! Very moist, buttery and sweet! Best cornbread I've had in a good while. Very good texture as well, good balance between crumbly and moist Pickled slaw was extremely good too, complimented many of the meats well! Must have to cut the fats from the meat!! Don't need to get the chips and salsa here, nothing special.

Chef Drew has found a permanent new home for his Sonoran-style Mexican barbecue. After stints at the kitchens of bars in North Park and East Village, Papalo has now opened in the downtown village area of La Mesa. The suite used to house a hot chicken shop that did pretty well for a while. The inside was a bit narrow with seating (including the bar) limited to less than two dozen customers. My initial visit was in the evening during the first week of business. Unfortunately, all the meats were sold out for the day. Having learned my lesson, I returned the following week on an early weekday afternoon. A couple of aspects had already changed. The first was the removal of the Beef Short Ribs from the menu. The chef mentioned that they were going to try and focus on doing the whole animal. The second was the limit of a la carte meats that could be ordered. The menu board listed five proteins... Pork of the Day, Beef of the Day, Mole BBQ Chicken, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Pork Rib. The a la carte prices were either $8 or $9 for a 1/4 lb serving. If you bought a plate, the protein came with two sides of which there were 10 varieties. A plate was $19 which was pricey for the amount of food. It was disappointing to learn about the a la carte order restriction to two meats of 1/4 lb each or 1/2 lb of one meat per customer. No barbeque joint I have visited elsewhere has ever implemented such a policy. It has always been first come first serve. How is one supposed to sample more than two meats if all you want is barbeque? What I ended up buying was a Pork Shoulder Steak (Pork of the Day) plate with Cornbread and Mexican Saffron Red Rice as sides, plus 1/2 lb of Picanha (Beef of the Day) a la carte. I automatically think of pulled or shredded meat when I hear pork shoulder. The cut that was served ended up being thin slices of a steak from the shoulder area of a pig. The meat was tender and flavorful. A cup of spicy mole was provided as a dipping sauce. Some pickled onions and pickle slices also came on the side. The Picanha was a well-seasoned piece of beef. For my serving size, there were seven pieces placed in a to-go container. Two cups of chimichurri were added for dipping. I didn't need to use much of that sauce because again the meat already had much flavor. The beef and pork were the items that one should order here, while I am reserving judgment on the chicken for another time because I couldn't purchase it due to the limit.

This place redefines bbq in the best possible way! Can't say as I'd ever had Sonoran style before but now I'm hooked. Stood in line a little before noon when they opened but the line moved quickly. We ordered the beef of the day, which was herb butter rubbed, and the chicken of the day, which was red mole, and both were tasty but I preferred the zesty kick of the chicken. The pinto beans were pretty standard but the pickled slaw was delish. We both agreed our favorite side though was the cornbread which was dense and most flavorful (I think I got a hint of margarita from the topping). Just writing this review is making me hungry for more!

Delicious, I wasn't trying to miss out on trying this restaurant in downtown La Mesa. Having the reputation they were rolling in with it was hard to keep an open mind and manage my expectations... probably why my husband ordered all the proteins! One of the super stars were the fried chicken (told them I needed that flour seasoning mix list) juicy and so flavorful. The chimichurri was fire and made the beef of the day, picanha, sing. Didn't get to try the beef rib, they were out, chef was killing it on a Saturday afternoon. Friendly service, and the spot looks cute with clean lines and lots of touches that made me want to explore the books on display, but they were out of my reach. We'll be back, like I said, hubby missed out on a protein, and that chicken is calling me, and my son is dying to try the ribeye burger.

This review is on their fried chicken sandwich and service. I pan to partake in their BBQ, offering a little down the road. At $15, the fried chicken sandwich came with the sandwich and a side of locally made yellow corn tortilla chips with Molcajete salsa. I also had a side of creamy pinto beans. The sandwich was of good size and came well fried with a crispy breading. The chicken came out tender and juicy with good flavors. I did think the Fermented Black Bean Habanero Aioli was a little aggressive in flavor, which took away from the buttermilk fried chicken's overall experienc e. The house made pickles were tasty, and the soft toasted potato bun was perfect for this sandwich. The tortilla chips were very good, and the molcajete salsa was delicious with a good depth of flavors and nice heat. The creamy pinto beans were very good and heavy on the black pepper. Service at the order counter was very friendly, and at the bar, the bar keeper was super cool. The place very casual.

We visited the new location of Chef Drew's restaurant the " PAPALO SONORAN STYLE MEXICAN BBQ "on La Mesa Blvd. My wife and I ordered a couple of meats to try and it came with 3 different sauces to dip in and it also came with pickled veggies. The meats are all tasty already so we didn't use the sauces that came with it. We also tried their Cornbread and they were soft and good. Amazing food they got here. They also have a Bar. But it's going to be tight for sure in there once the place gets so many customers that want to drink or eat because it wasn't that big of a space. Food order to go is always another option when that happens.

Nestled in the cute downtown of La Mesa-- such a cute little BBQ spot, with daily protein specials, seems to be usually chicken, beef and pork. Had their mole chicken-- which had a kick to it. Enjoyed their slaw, and creamy pinto beans. They're open until they sell out. Also you can buy a beer for the kitchen! Do it!

Dangggg this place is good! Husband and I have been wanting to try it but never seemed to make it when they were open but realized today that they basically just close when they run out of barbecue and honestly after eating there today, I understand why they close so early - the food was awesome! Really nice menu style where you choose your protein and get two sides. We went with the Mac and cheese which was AMAZING, and the rice which was delicious. The beef and chicken were so moist and delicious with really great seasoning. Front of house team was really nice and so calm during a pretty hectic seeming lunch rush. We can't wait to go back!

.Highly recommend trying this new spot! I do recommend coming in with a smaller party Seating is first come first serve and there are only a couple 4 person tables the rest are 2 person tables . That being said to food is amazing, I ordered every protein they had so that we could try them all. The ribs and the mole chicken were delightful there is some heat so keep that in mind, but if you are ok with heat the mole is fire! The beef was flavorful and tender and paired with a wonderful chimmichuri. The pork shoulder was smoky and delicious, and the Broccolini was also perfectly cooked. The fried chicken was amazing, heavenly, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The cocktails paired beautifully with the meal. We will be back soon

Heard about this spot on SD's happy half hour podcast; sounded promising since the head honcho was known for starting up Lola 55. Each plate was $19.00. Husband got the pork with beans and rice. I got the mole chicken (spicy!) with broccolini (loved the char on it) and a salad wedge (appreciated the toppings is cut up bbq pork). While both had great flavor and textures, the portions seemed a bit on the tiny side for what we paid for. Portions at Grand Ol' BBQ in NP are bigger and quality of bbq is just as good, granted this is a little different with the Sonoran flavorings. Service was a little slow, but being their opening week, we weren't upset by it. Ambience and decor is nice to look at. From where we were sitting towards the front, it was good for people watching. I'd say, if you're ready to ball out and you're not on a budget, it's be good to try a bunch of different things on the menu to share, as I'm sure they're pretty good. Like I'm usually not a fan of cornbread but what I saw on other peoples plates looked delicious! I'd come back to check out other things, makes for a fun date night during a farmers market.

My wife and I were pretty bummed when the chicken wing spot was replaced by Papalo cause we did enjoy the wings at the previous spot. BUT what a replacement Papalo was! TLDR: chicken sandwich, ribs, corn bread BOMB. Order em We went to check out this place and ordered the ribs and chicken sandwich, with beans, corn bread, and the slaw. We were quite impressed with it all! The worker recommended the chicken sandwich and we thought how good can a chicken sandwich be, especially not fried. And boy was it good. I am salivating thinking about it right now writing this review 2 weeks later. Perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken thigh with slaw. So balanced and juicy. I don't normally go for beans but was too cheap to pay for a different side and I'm glad I'm cheap. The pinto beans were so well flavored and tasty on the chips. The ribs sauce were also great and cooked well. I like my ribs with a little tug and they had the right amount of tug. What stole the show for us was the cornbread. It was like a mini moist corn cake. Salty, sweet, and perfect. I will be back and my cheap ass will be paying for extra corn bread haha

After hearing great things about Papalo, I finally had a chance to stop by for lunch. I admit that I was a little hesitant because I've never had the pleasure of eating Sonoran bbq before. We walked in and the first thing I noticed was the absence of slow-cooked bbq aromas wafting through the air. I should've taken that as a huge reg flag and walk out before it was too late. But the rest of our party arrived so I was trapped. We agreed we'd all share two orders of the 2-protein combos. We ended up with... *Chuck steak- tender but not the best tasting beef. Pretty bland... nothing exciting. *Chicken mole- everyone absolutely hated this! The only thing we tasted was pepper. *Cherry-glazed pork ribs- waaaaay to sweet! It seemed as if they were using the sauce to cover any signs of dry meat. *Pork & beef machaca- this was the only protein that I liked. We left pretty disappointed because these were not the cheapest combos. The best thing out of everything we ordered was the cornbread. But I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to return just for cornbread.

My husband and I went into Papalo for dinner and decided to order to-go. He went for the pork plate with rice and beans and I ordered the birria with mac and cheese and coleslaw with a side of cornbread. We both gave the food 3/5. It was not bad food but it also didn't leave us wanting more. The birria was good but had some strange flavors that I wasn't used to. My husband enjoyed the plate as well but agreed it wasn't anything special. I believe we paid around $40 for the plates and added cornbread afterwards. It was a very cute simple vibe inside and service was fast and friendly. Overall, I'd rather go to a taco shop than try this place again.

Love this spot, can't wait to try it again. The chicken is amazing. The mole is outstanding. Everything that we tried was on point. Chef clearly knows what he's doing here. It's a small crew and everyone is friendly and accommodating. The service was incredible. Nate helped us out in a beautiful way: we were fasting, and he helped us time the meal accordingly, also making sure that we ordered the right things. He recommended the chicken, which blew my mind when I took that first bite.

I read about Papalo in Texas Monthly and was shocked that the place was only 5 minutes away from my house. They leave me no choice, but I had to take a 2-hour lunch break on a Friday to try them out. I used to have BBQ once a week in Houston and often traveled throughout Texas to try popular BBQ spots over the weekend. After moving to San Diego, I stopped eating BBQ because BBQ in SD is unpalatable. SD BBQ is often overcooked and has no structural integrity. Papalo serves Sonoran-style BBQ, which is a completely different style than what I am used to. It is less smoky, more aromatic, and a lot more saucy. The Mole sauce has all the defining characteristics of an amazing sauce--sweet, tangy, savory, and rich nuttiness. The meat were perfectly cooked. The pork ribs DID NOT fall off the bone and had great bounciness. Once you bite into it, the meat just slowly melted away and never stuck to your teeth. The chicken, on the other hand, was one of the juiciest chickens I've ever tried, and again, maintained its bounciness with every bite. It was truly a delicious and enjoyable meal. Papalo gave me some hope to give other San Diego BBQ another try. Parking is a bit difficult as there seems to be only paid parking. The service is counter service, and the menu is straightforward. The food alone makes everything worthwhile.

Great food, consistent service, and good drinks. I enjoy that the menu constantly changes because the chef really shows off a wide variety of talent. The best thing I've had on the menu is the birria - it's just ramped up to the next level of flavor with it being smoked meat.

Decided to try this place today during the farmer's market. I ordered the carnitas plate with sides of rice and mac & cheese. The carnitas were overall flavorful but they came soaking wet in a bowl of what I think was oil. They also were covered in cilantro. I wasn't a fan of the mac and cheese. It had a smokiness to it I didn't enjoy but others might. I did however love the rice. It was perfect. Also they only give you two small flour tortillas and if you want more they count as a side. I feel like for the price they charge you should get more tortillas for free. The staff was very welcoming and friendly, and the restaurant itself was very clean.

A group of 9 or 10 of us friends get together for dinner about once a year, and this time one us suggested Papalo. My wife and I drove down from Encinitas, and it was totally worth it! Drew and Shelby very kindly accommodated our large party, and treated us like valued guests in their very pleasant and clean eatery. The fresh cuisine was stupendous, alive with amazing flavors I don't think I've ever tasted before - a most memorable evening. Some of the reviews here complain that Papalo runs out of food on occasion; I see that as a feature, not a bug. Chef Drew explained to me that they won't serve any reheated or day-old food. Each day they do their best to estimate how much fresh food they'll need, and if they run out, they run out. Highly recommended!

Pretty packed on a Sunday afternoon but we got there before the line really started picking up. The cherry glazed pork ribs were absolutely amazing, crispy outside and tasting tender in the inside and pairs beautifully with the sauce they provide in the side. The Mac and cheese compliments the ribs really well. The elote was a bit too saucy with the crema which makes the overall plate really heavy but can be easily taken off. Fairly clean place with a modern look to it and the staff were very accommodating and they have an option to buy the staff a beer! They deserve it.

I'm a BBQ fanatic, saw Papalo on Instagram and my buddy and I decided to try it. When we arrived the line was out the door and undeterred by the rain. It took over an hour until it was our turn to order, but the staff never forgot us. They kept us appraised of the estimated time and offered free drinks to everyone waiting. I also noticed they turned tables very quickly and smoothly as customers finished their meals and left. We hadn't even ordered yet and I was impressed by the service! Then... we ordered. We ordered the beef special (herb & butter smoked chuck) and the rib special (cherry glazed) with mac-n-cheese, pickled cole slaw and corn bread. The mac-n-cheese was excellent, the cole slaw was very different than anything we'd had in the past but, outstanding. Then, there was the corn bread... what is in that corn bread? It was the best I've ever had. It was like dessert! It was moist, sweet and savory all at once! I ate one piece and saved the second piece for dessert. We split the beef and ribs. The flavors of both was unforgettable. The beef had a beautiful smoke ring and the flavoring was the perfect mix of buttery, and giant flavor. The texture was a little chewier than I'd expect for smoked, but then again, it was chuck. Using chuck is a bold move but Papalo pulled it off with style. The glaze on the ribs was outstanding as well. Thick, flavorful, and fresh. The rib meat was also a bit chewy but cooked well and full of yum. Then, the finish - more corn bread. As good as cake! Overall, Papalo was well worth the long drive and wait in the rain. I look forward to going back and trying everything on the menu.

Probably the most unique BBQ joint I've been to. Definitely the best BBQ in California. As a person who's had a lot of BBQ with Texas still ranking the highest, this was very good and a good spin on traditional BBQ. I was thrown off by no brisket and BBQ sauce, but the person working the front who I assume is also the owner gave me a good explanation. This was recommended by Texans so if this got their approval then I had to try. Also points for owner referencing me by name and thanking me when I returned the dining plates.

So good! Cherry glazed ribs, mole chicken, beans, rice and watermelon salad all so flavorful!

Overall, Papalo was pretty tasty! We've been a time or two when they've run out of certain meats, so just be prepared if you go toward the end of the day. Here's a breakdown of what we ordered, along with some thoughts: - Mac 'n' Cheese: It was alright, but not as gooey as I prefer. - Corn bread: Pricey for what you get, but my goodness, was it delicious! It had a squishy consistency and a hint of lemon. Would definitely get again. - Beef: Had good flavor and a nice smoke ring. Be sure to get the chimichurri to go with it! - Beans: Yum. - $5 Margaritas: Though a seemingly good deal, they were a bit on the watery side.

A great twist on your average American BBQ by adding bolder flavors like Hatch Chile Salsa are my jam when it comes to Papalo. First off, they have a white barbecue sauce that I was curious about. In order to try a bit of what they offered, we ordered a plate which comes with your choice of meat and two sides. This includes your choice of 1 sauce as well as house pickles. We got the Smoked Cherry Pecan Glazed Pork Ribs, Creamy Citrus Pickle Slaw, and Creamy Mac and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs. The ribs were smoked just right and maintained that bbq flavor without it being smothered in sauce. With the white barbecue sauce, it was more tangy. Not bad, but I liked the rib meat alone. I could do without the Mac and Cheese next time, but it is always a safe choice! I'm not the biggest fan of the typical bbq plate, so this fusion with Sonoran BBQ used ingredients provides something a little different yet tasty!

First time here. Glad that Yelpers had good things to say about Papalo or else we may have never tried it. They were right. I had the tri tip with Mac and Cheese and a Wedge salad. The tri tip was cooked perfectly. Melted on the fork. The sides were very good. My wife had the Wagyu burger and it also was cooked perfectly. Overall, great bbq I'm downtown LA Mesa. Not a full bar but enough beer, Kambucha and wine options to wash the food down properly. Must try when in La Mesa.

My husband and I wanted to try a new place, and I stumbled upon Papalo while searching. It was close to home, and the photos and reviews looked good, so we decided to give it a try. We walked in, and the gentleman was very nice and friendly. He gave us suggestions on the menu when asked. I liked the fact that they have a small menu, but they also have their protein of the day. On that day, they had Birria and Carnitas, but unfortunately, I can't remember the chicken option. We ordered the loaded chips with Birria and a plate of Carnittas with corn bread and Mac and cheese, and we also added a side of tortillas. The loaded chips came out first, and I was in shock over the size. It was full of toppings, and they did not skimp on the birria. We would've been totally full and satisfied just from the loaded chips by itself. It was my first time trying mole, and i gotta say that the flavor took me by surprise, im not very sure it complemented everything else that was on the chips so I tried to avoid big amount of it. Right after, the Carnitas plate came out. My husband is a big fan of corn bread, and he said that he liked this one. I fell in love with the Mac and cheese; however, i was not wowed with the carnitas. I wasn't a fan of the amount of broth it came with and the big chunk of fat that was in there. I think I would like to give the place another try just to try out their different proteins.

If I had to describe this incredible barbecue joint in a quick phrase, it would be "decadently delicious!" Ever since Papolo came to La Mesa, it has quickly become my number one go to barbecue spot. They continuously serve up flavors that surprise and Delight, with succulent Meats that are always tender and moist. The sides, which rotate every once in awhile, are some of my favorites- especially the beans, why do they taste so freaking good?! What mysticism is Chef using to make his beans taste like marshmallows?! I come here about once a week and almost always get the chicken mole. It's definitely my favorite thing on the menu if only because of that white mole sauce. It's unlike anything I've ever tasted and it blows my mind with flavor every single time, without fail. It is so good you guys, you absolutely have to try some. Everything on the menu is delicious, but God that mole is something so uniquely special that I will keep coming to get barbecue here for as long as they're around. The staff is also super friendly! Shelby, who I always find working behind the counter, is a giant ray of sunshine at the end of a long day. The interior is always exceptionally clean and well maintained, and the drinks never fail to refresh, especially during these hot summer days. Next time you go, be sure to buy a drink for the kitchen! It gets hot back there and those boys can always use a Frosty beverage LOL

Ok, if You've read any of m reviews, I'm Never looking to ever hammer a business, especially when it's been open for a few months. The good: The chips and salsa were tasty The service is really good The people are very nice. The not so good: They have a limited selection, and we came For the brisket burger, and they were out This left us w either chicken or a BLT We went for the BLT: Instead of bacon they serve it w pork belly Which was very undercooked and fatty. I love pork belly, and all they need to do is crisp it up and it would make a world of diff The soft pork along w saturated w butter bread made for mushy Sandy. The saving grace were the beans. Some advice: When you run out have something to offer. This was the only BBQ restaurant having no Smoked sausage or seeing as this is Sonoran BBQ, smoke a little Carne asada. We love downtown La Mesa and want to support all the independents and hope this was just a miss. But there is a much better BBQ in town, so expand the menu and we'll come back. Three stars cause I can't be mean.

I have no photos to share. I ate it all. This is not a run of the mill BBQ joint. This is high quality, thought-out BBQ that is elevated but not pretentious. The family and I tried all of the proteins and sides and were not disappointed. Their cherry glazed pecan ribs were awesome as was the slow cooked beef. My wife raved about the cornbread and my oldest walked out saying he could go back and eat their elote every day. I went here hoping for some good BBQ. I got that and more. I walked out feeling full and lucky to have eaten great food that was familiar but unique at the same time. We will be back!