Serpentine Cider & Smokehouse (formerly Smokin J's BBQ)

Go to their Poway location instead. Service Staff is friendly and kind. It’s not immediately apparent how things work with ordering food vs cider, but they staff explains it well. Atmosphere Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Not bad overall. Food This is where things aren’t so hot, literally. We got the 3x2, which is 3 meats and 2 sides and we ordered an extra side. The meats - wings, brisket, pulled pork - were tasty, but not hot enough. They were barely warm, really. Same with the sides - bean crack, cornbread, and well, the slaw is supposed to be cold, so it was good that it wasn’t hot. I know the restaurant isn’t taking everything out of the oven right away to serve it, but I wish they would reheat the food better. Their location in Poway does a better job of this. Recommend? I can’t recommend it and I won’t be back to this location.

Such a great find! Yummy bbq plus creative ciders (strawberry black pepper O_O)! Loved the ciders that we tried and sounds like they have something new and interesting each week! The ciders are very well balanced, not too sweet not too strong. We came here cos I was craving some good fries and we got some yummy corn muffin and bbq briskets along with the fries.

Really good comfort food, matched with chill ambiance. Everything we had here was great, and they also had wonderful options for our vegetarian friend so it's great for a mixed crowd. The tv dinners offer a great portion size while still letting you try some different things. Also highly suggest checking out the cider and mead companies while you're here - they have great options. We picked up a flight of mead to go with our meal and it was a perfect match. The pork belly was especially awesome!

The food was delicious, I had the cheese fries with Brisket. The brisket was really smokey and tender. The service was great. The cider distillery did not have AC inside and the parking lot is narrow are my only two cons. Patio and indoor seating available.

Fantastic bbq now at the same location as lost cause meed and serpentine cider. So happy to have good bbq in Mira Mesa now! The brisket is amazing! The shishito bites are delicious; get them, 🤤

Pretty damn surprised how good the brisket was. It's so hard to find good brisket in San Diego. I had the loaded fries with the brisket and it was incredible. I asked for the fatty side, the point, and they gave me exactly what I was looking for. Soft, tender, smokey, and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. You'd be hard pressed to find better brisket in San Diego.

Hidden gem off Miramar Rd. We went on a Sunday right at opening and there was ample indoor and outdoor space. Child friendly with lots of room to park a stroller right up at the table, an air hockey table and board games available. Food came out before we had even finished deciding what mead to try! Brisket burrito was tasty as was the cajun fries and the tv dinner was a nice way to try one meat and 2 other sides. Parking was also easy. Overall would recommend.

Smokin’ J’s location in Mira Mar is a little hidden gem. It’s located in the same building as serpentine cider and lost cause meadery. I got a half pound of pulled pork and the succotash. The pulled pork just melted in my mouth as I took my first bite. The succotash was a great side to accompany the meat. Overall it was a great experience. Definitely would reccomend.

Amazing food. Haven't had good brisket like this in a while. Just the right amount of juiciness. The slice of belly was an unexpected but pleasant side. Definitely recommend getting that. Server was very nice too and the ambience of the restaurant was great Will definitely come back

It was a little hard to find this place, even though there was a sign out in the front driveway, it wasn't that obvious to us, but we managed to find a place anyway. It wasn't crowded so we seated ourselves at the bar. They did have outside seating, but we would've been out there all by ourselves and I didn't really want to do that. There are a lot of different siders being sold, I chose the apricot cider. It just sounded good and it was. Right now we had to pay for our drinks and our food separately because they are two separate businesses, but they are going to be combined after the end of the year. I ordered the beef brisket, which is only 1/3 pound, I could've eaten a half pound or more easily. I also got the dirty rice, which is very spicy, and the mac & cheese, which was very good and had lots and lots of cheese. Karen got the pulled pork sandwich along with some coleslaw, and she opted for the pickles on the side. They brought out the sauce after, which was cold and I mentioned it to one of the owners. He acknowledge that normally it would be warmed up. Putting cold sauce, barbecue sauce on your meat, which is just barely warm, it's not a great idea because then everything is cold. Still tasted great, but it's one of the reasons for those four stars instead of five. Everything is also a bit expensive so bring your wallet. Overall, everyone was very friendly and we had conversations with several people who worked there as well as one of the owners very nice people! This is the best barbecue I've had since I left Texas, and it's very good but it's very expensive for what you get. I tried some of the pulled pork, and definitely not as good as the beef brisket. Overall, a very good experience.

First off the location is great (sort of). It shares a building with Serpentine Cider and Lost Cause Meadery so there are lots of things to try, however, the parking is pretty tight. As soon as you walk in you order from Smokin J's. The staff was polite, and it was nice to place an order before sitting. The inside of the building is small, and seating is limited but there is an outside patio that gave more seating options. We ordered the 3X2 and Bread Pudding and the food was pretty good. The fries and cornbread are a must try!

Looks can be DECEIVING! This was my first and last order from Smokin J's! No thank you, the portions are smaller than expected! The food is NOT Good the Brisket is toooooo SALTY to eat and the rib tips have a flavor that's not edible! This was a waste of money! 2 thumbs down

My favorite meat of the chicken, pulled pork, and brisket in the 3x3 combo was the brisket. It was cooked to perfection and very tender. I've had better burnt ends. These were too dry and hard and I didn't like the sauce on them. The sides were pretty good and the bread pudding was OK. Service was very quick and there's lot and street parking.

Was wanting to try out the tap house in Downtown, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that they have a location right here in Mira Mesa, which is even more convenient! It's located in the same building as Serpentine Cider and a meadery, so an extra plus for having delicious drinks close by. Ordered the 3x2 to get a taste of both the brisket and pulled pork. I have to say though, the sides were my favorite part: the cajun fries were perfectly crisp a and the corn bread was moist and delicious! the butter spread went perfectly with it. Also tried the bread pudding and it was flavorful as well. A delicious meal and I will definitely want to try again!

Very convenient food option inside Serpentine cider bar The hot links were very tasty Order at the window and served at the table However I would have wished for a bigger portion of meat for the price

Excellent brisket! In the are for an appointment and found this great spot! Loved the coleslaw, dressed perfectly, the beans were good but to meaty if that's possible... I'll definitely be back or check out another location. The cider place is no bueno

Overall we had a decent meal while we were sipping on some cider. The bbq place shares a space with Serpentine Cider, so you can order food and have some drinks at the same time. You order for food at the register near the door. We had the pork belly tv dinner which included 2 hefty pieces of pork belly and 2 sides. We chose the mac and cheese balls (those were delicious that we wanted more) and brisket chili. The pork belly was nice and tender, but I prefer the pork belly to be crispy. I also would have preferred for the chilli to be served hot, it was served luke warm and in my opinion not very good. The bbq sauce has really good flavor and definitely helps add seasoning and flavor to your meat. The chimichurri fries with brisket were a large portion, perfect for sharing between 2-4 people depending how hungry you are. The brisket was well seasoned and very tender, I would say their brisket has to be the star of their meats. The service was ok, no one went out of their way, simply took our order, brought the food out, and that was it.

Had to come back for the chimi fries!!! Came here on a Saturday around 2:30 and there were a couple of groups but plenty of seating! We originally just came to get drinks from Serpentine but then remembered the Brisket Chimi Fries so we had to order them. They came out super fast this time like in less than 10 minutes and were so delicioussss! Just like last time if not better, they were juicy, tender and the fries were so crispy and I absolutely love chimichurri so this is like the best snack or appetizer I could ask for! They also have a bunch of board games that you can play and if I am remembering correctly an air hockey table? We didn't play this time but next time I'll definitely check out what choices of board games they have to play. I feel like this is such a nice spot for like a first date so if you're looking for one check this place out!

Authentic BBQ and something for everyone in our family to enjoy! Their ribs, brisket, pulled pork and beans this trip were all on point!! The beer selection is very positive as well. Great little spot on a quiet street. We are happy to continue to support this resturant!

Friendly staff, nice outdoor seating area, and AMAZING brisket! I've always been disappointed in the quality of barbecue in San Diego, but I think we might have finally found a decent spot! Love that they are dog friendly as well. Amazing: - Brisket (super tender and flavorful). I LOVE that they ask you if you prefer a fattier or leaner cut. We went with the fattier and it was so moist and tender! Pretty Good: - Sweet tea (not super sweet like other restaurants, very cool and refreshing!) - Mac and cheese (very cheesy and rich) - Brisket chili (lots of brisket in this!) Average: - Cajun fries (good fries but nothing special) - Pork Belly (saw lots of good reviews about this but it was a little dry for us)

Smokin Js BBQ is a go-to spot in Miramar, especially if you're craving some good BBQ vibes. My girlfriend and I hit it up during a laid-back movie night with Harry Potter, and we didn't hold back on the food front. Props to them for having a vegetarian option - we went for the fried shrooms and jackfruit. Fried shrooms took the lead for me, offering that satisfying crunch and a soft, tasty core. Paired up with their homemade BBQ sauces, one classic and the other packing a spice punch, it was a flavor explosion. And let's not forget the fries - a serious treat with a capital T. For the main deal, I went for the TV dinner brisket with a pork belly add-on. Two sides came with it, so I rolled with beans and Mac n cheese balls. Those Mac n cheese balls? Crispy magic on the outside, smothered in melted cheese. The beans played the savory and sweet game just right. The brisket? Nailed it in terms of seasoning and cooking, but the crispy pork belly stole the spotlight - tender, crispy, and a dance partner with the BBQ sauce. Big shoutout to our server - super nice and had our backs throughout. Plenty of seats, but when the place fills up, be ready to navigate a bit. No doubt, I'll be swinging by for lunch - Smokin Js BBQ is a winner in my book for its chill vibes, tasty eats, and friendly service.

Funky, funky, funky. Very cool place. Eclectic, casual, good food, good drink. Interesting hidden and private party/dance area. A Brewery with cider. Great choices and they offer flights of drinks. Have to order drinks at the bar separate from food at the kitchen. Food was good, mostly BBQ like brisket and ribs but the plates come with two sides. Great beans! Love the onion rings. Service is great but remember this is very casual and in an industrial area...so expect to get your food, drink and water yourself. Anyways, they have a backroom where they were having a tribute to Taylor Swift with a huge video screen and great sound system. People were dressed up like Taylor and dancing! A hidden jewel for sure. Best for adults only.

This is a quick order at the cashier and wait for your food place. The pork belly was out of this world. They were sliced and then deep fried. The outside was crispy and inside was moist. We enjoyed this with cold beer. The burnt ends were a big letdown. They were very tough, chewy and almost inedible. They should only pick the softer ends to sell. Such a waste, we had to throw away half the portion. As for the sides, the beans were slightly sweet and goes well with the salty meat. However, the Cole slaw doesn't taste like the usual Cole slaw at other restaurants. The vegetables were cut too big and the sauce just wasn't done right. Can't pinpoint what it was, but it was very bland. Will not order burnt ends or Cole slaw in the future. But will return for the pork belly and try other meat.

Smokin J's is a great place to hang out. It shares a place where you can get beer, cider, and bbq! A little something for everyone. I love that they have online ordering which makes it so easy to pick up a meal. We really enjoyed the brisket fries. The brisket was so tender and flavorful. Not dry at all. The pulled pork sandwich I got did seem dry and a little underwhelming. Glad we also had more brisket. Was not a fan of the Cole slaw. We did enjoy the beans and sweet potatoes. Get the brisket!

Tried Smokin' J's in Poway a few years ago, so got excited to find out they're inside Serpentine Cider! Their order window is right when you enter. My friend and I shared the Brisket TV Dinner for $17. It came with a few slices of tender Brisket and two sides: we picked mac n cheese balls and brisket chili. The pieces of Brisket were super tender and tasted even better with bbq sauce on top. The mac n cheese balls were my favorite on the plate. I didn't really care much for the Brisket Chilli. The girl who took our order and delivered our food was super nice.

Wonderful service from Jeremy! I had placed a to go order but accidentally did it for a different location. He was kind enough to call the other location and let them know that he could prepare my food here instead. Needless to say, Jeremy provided me with great service even though I made the mistake. The food was also amazing!!! Definitely would come back again.

The brisket was super delicious, super tender and moist. The pulled pork was decent. But, the star of the show was the pork belly - tender and moist with a crunch - absolutely amazing.

First time there, definitely not the last. We picked up take out but the place looked inviting. The service was quick and spot on. The food....best BBQ. I had the Brisket, crack beans, and Cornbread. We both were taken aback with how good it was. Go...run...don't walk...it's that good. Richard Posner richinkitchen.com

Best brisket in SD. Best overall bbq in SD. This outlet is colocated with Serpentine cider which has recently made their cider less dry (i.e. more sweet) which works with the bbq. Tried a new menu item; the burrito (with brisket etc) which was an amazing meal for 2.

Tho the Poway location won some type of award last year, this Miramar location was a huge disappointment. We tried the brisket, pulled pork, and pork belly, and it was the dry-est pulled pork and most tasteless brisket in years. Pictured was half of the 1/4 left, you can see the stringy driness. on the right, it has a piece of prok belly and one piece of brisket. judge for yourself. overall I am surprised to see such bad quality of food for such a high price. two tiny pieces per order for $9 is a very steep price to charge. maybe i got a bad batch. but keep it in mind, that you might too.

This place is co-located with Lost Cause Meadery and Serpentine Cider. The Texas Twinkies (cheddar stuffed, bacon wrapped jalipenos) are worth the trip. Ask for a side of slaw sauce to dip them in.

Saw an email from Yelp today about good BBQ....stopped in to try Smokin J's today. I ordered the Smokin J sandwich and added some pork belly! It was a good sandwich. Place is pretty cool inside...brewery and bbq. Plenty of seating inside and out. I will say it's chilly inside when it's chilly outside....if it's overcast bring a pullover. It's not cheap for sure....so be ready. I went during lunch from work so I didn't try one of their beers yet. I'm sure I'll try it again so I'll update my review.....this time I had the sandwich which had brisket (really good) added pork belly (very good) and slaw....bbq sauce was good but not spectacular. Parking lot has some small spaces....but I went after lunch so it wasn't busy. Located by the u-haul near Camino Ruiz.

We typically go to the location in poway but wanted to try this place. We live near both. It's not a typical restaurant. They have 1 worker and the cook. The rest of the building is a brewery. Menu is limited compared to the poway location. (Don't pay attention to what is online) Worker was rude compared to poway. Tables were filthy. Food was good at least. Likely will not go to this location again.

We picked this place for its many gluten-free options and it was close-by where we were. My nephew has Celiac Disease and cannot have gluten. His meal was served on bread. ??????????? Additionally, we had 3 children with us and we asked for more plates. We did not receive anything and eventually had to go up to the bar and ask again. Meanwhile, 3 chicks behind the bar doing nothing but chatting. What a joke.

Meat had a nice Smokey flavor, BBQ sauce paired extremely well, easy to order online and food was amazing.

So, this was my second time coming here. And while the food was good, this experience strongly varied from my first time here. First time I came, I couldn't give enough praise and I found absolutely no faults! But this time? Well, we went in for an early dinner, late lunch meal. I asked for the brisket tv dinner, and I asked if I could substitute the coleslaw and beans for other side options. I wish I wasn't so picky, but I really don't like either of the options that the meal comes with. (Last time I came, I was able to switch the side options!). The girl working told me I was unable to do so, and I informed her that I would gladly pay for a substitute charge, and she said that the wasn't possible. She did suggest getting the brisket on its own (without any sides at all-because it's basically the same price). Okay-I guess...but I still wanted some type of side with my brisket :( so I asked if they had the Mac and cheese balls by chance. (They had them last time I came in, but it wasn't listed on the menu). She said they don't make them at that location anymore. I said okay, no worries. Then I proceeded to ask for a side of cornbread instead. She said they ran out of cornbread. I was bummed out about that one :( then I said okay, well, how about a side of Cajun fries. To my surprise-they had them! But when they were delivered to the table, I was disappointed because they were so dry and overcooked! Not burned-don't get it confused, but my French fry connoisseurs will know what I'm talking about. Just very dry fries. :( anyway, the brisket was divine, just as it had been before. But yeah, I can't say I was as happy with my meal as I had been my first time here.

Poor service, food was old and cold. We will never return as there are so many other options to eat out in San Diego. Apparently there was no manager present as the employees didn't seem to care when we complained. No apologies, no refund, no good. There are many other BBQ places such as Abbey's Texas BBQ that are family run and appreciate their customers.

The BBQ brisket was tender and moist and we ordered it as the tv dinner with two sides and my husband ordered the brisket covered spicy fries. The brisket was to die for! The fried Mac n cheese balls were so good, you will want to order more! The bbq beans were tasty as well as the slaw, nice sides for the brisket. The service from the Smokin J's staff was good. The restaurant resides in the Serpentine Cider bar and their vibe and service makes you want to come back and try more ciders. Their ciders are a nice compliment to Smokin J's or vice versa. It's a casual atmosphere with high tables, bar stools, and outside seating. We will definitely go back for more!

smokin J's is hands down one of the best BBQ places around San Diego. Their BBQ is flavorful, tender, and oh so memorable. We have served smokin j's for many get togethers, and all our out of town family always raves about how good the food is. I'm also a big fan of their pecan pie. This is a must visit, if you are craving BBQ.

This place serves up some damn fine brisket! As in O~M~G! Delish! We stumbled into Smokin J' some afternoon & I'm telling you their brisket is so tender & perfect. Not fatty like MOST places. It was so perfect we didn't even try the bbq sauce. Ambience is nothing to talk about. It's an order at the counter , grab a table kind of place. Plus there is a Cider counter which is pretty interesting & went surprisingly well with bbq. Plus some other strange honey type alcohol counter, which wasn't for me & I can't even remember what it was. I'd love it if this place expanded their sides & added some wine or beer, but the food is worth seeking this place out!

Ordered your salad with brisket...delicious as always. Have never been disappointed However, what I was not pleased with was the employee behind the counter eating her dinner and then wiping her hands on a paper towel and then proceeding to help a customer. While I understand your employees need to eat, perhaps it would be better to have your employees eating in a separate area. Just hope she washed her hands!

This entire platter was like $32 and gave us a little bit of everything. Everything was exceptional. Pulled pork and brisket were the stars

Great bbq. Come early on the weekend because they will run out. The Cajun fries are amazing

Food is delicious. I love this BarBQ spot. Great entertainment when it's going on. Wish the serving was a little bit more.

I had the brisket and pork belly sandwich along with with cole slaw and a separate side of chollard greens. My grandson had the mac & cheese and my wife had the blackened shrimp. The food and the service were both very good. We sat at a table near the front window and were able to view all the costumed characters for comic-con. We're looking forward to returning to try something else on the menu.

Love everything about this place! Good food and friendly staff. Had the salad last time I was there (with pulled pork and slaw sauce as dressing) and it was so yummy!

As an OG texan from the DTX area, you already know 469, 214 na mean. This place is good af, definitely different compared to a texan bbq place with this cali vibe n shit but the good actually food af. i had the brisket with mac n cheese and that was BUSSIN BUSSIN. And the only things imma suggest for this lil restaurant is to serve the bbq sauce warm bc don't nobody wanna eat cold bbq sauce know i'm sayin, and also add a lil more cowboy shit (now for my white folk) Wow! what to say about this establishment. first things first, the music, definitely what all the cool kids are listening to today . the food was splendid. maybe a little high on sodium for me, but overall exquisite taste all around. the ambiance and feel of the place was amazing. great decor and even friendlier staff. for sure a 5 star review in my book.

Great catering, delicious and juicy BBQ, and EXCELLENT customer service! Thank you Tommy for going above and beyond to help us address our unique Burning Man catering needs! You guys rock!

Just ok, we heard about the place on YouTube and traveled down from north San Diego county only to discover it's all hype

A bit pricey for the Portabello mushrooms ($8 for a quarter pound, about 6-7 pieces), but they are delicious, especially with their bbq sauce. Will check out their meat options next time.

Love Smokin J's since their food truck days and follow them to their brick and mortar in Poway. I'm stoked that they finally have a closer location to central San Diego. This location shares the space with Lost Cause Meadery. They have a smaller menu but also have some sides and dishes that you don't see from the original location. You'll have to head over to the table next to the windows to order. I ordered 1lbs of brisket, 1/2lb of smoked Shrooms, side of succotash and Cajun fries. The to-go wait was around 10-15 mins. Love that you can get some drinks while munching down on some yummy bbq. Definitely coming back to dine in.

Ordered the tv dinner with lean brisket and Mac. Brisket is top notch. Great flavor even without bbq sauce. Mac has large shells and seemingly multiple types of cheese. Tasty. Also got the Cajon fries. Well seasoned midsized fries. Try the fries with the slaw sauce, thank me later. Clean and fun vibe inside. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I'll be back soon.

Burger is phenomenal. I mean seriously Everything including the service was perfect and everyone who worked there is so nice! Definitely will be back

This place is one of my favorite BBQ spots! They not only have the classics but they have some unique items as well. I tried Phil's bbq because of all the hype and it was really disappointing. I stumble upon Smokin J's and was blown away by the brisket and Ribs! Also the pork belly is some of the best I've tried. You can tell they take there time and they do it right ! Also the Mac and cheese is so good!!!

Excellent bbq. Weeks later we're still talking about it how good the brisket was. We will definitely be eating there next time we're in the area.

I initially thought the portion was small for the price but it was just right The brisket fries with cheese and bbq sauce was delicious. Next time I will have the take off the cheese sauce, not needed

This was the most tender and moist, BBQ brisket I've had from a SoCal restaurant. I also liked their chimichurri fries. The chimi sauce has a good garlic kick, and the fries go well with either brisket or their tangy smoked jackfruit. Service was also great, very friendly.