Brett's BBQ Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:
The single servings and sandwiches are all about $8.  The larger shared meal options are $15-24.


Distance:
Very close to the Encinitas Blvd/El Camino Real intersection.  5-10 minute drive for Encinitas residents.


Thoughts:
Corporate bbq places really don't do it for me.  In my mind, bbq is just one of those food groups that really need to come from a hole-in-the-wall dining establishment.  You have to have a secret sauce or something.

In all fairness, Brett's BBQ is slightly better than your standard fare corporate bbq.  The meat that I had was cooked well and didn't taste dry (often a problem with these places).  The shared meals are substantial enough for two that you will probably have leftovers.

While I had an enjoyable meal I was still left with nothing memorable.  Frankly, you can get ribs, chicken or pulled pork just about anywhere.  So if there's no special element to grab my attention, I'd just as soon pass this place up.

Joey's Smokin' BBQ Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

Pricing:

Not too bad.  Most of the entrees (pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, etc...) are about $8.  Every entree includes a side of your choice.  

Distance:

It's in the La Costa shopping center cornered by El Camino Real and Aviara Parkway.  Takes about 15 minutes to drive to from Encinitas.

Thoughts:

I confess that I have pretty high standards when it comes to barbeque.  I have visited Kansas City numerous times so I've had the original stuff.  The cooked-with-sauce-that-probably-was-made-in-the-Civil-War kind of original bbq.  And once you've gone to that level it's tough to look imitators in the eye.  But I do try because I like bbq.

Joey's Smokin' BBQ is not the original stuff.  It's not even good stuff.  It's corporate stuff.    The service was mediocre at best.  There's a soulless attempt at creating a Southern farm atmosphere.  And the food was average at best.  The whole experience was just... depressing.

I really can't see this place lasting.  There's no trademark sauce or anything that would make it remotely memorable.  Plus, there are a dozen other places where you could get pulled pork or ribs; practically every brewery restaurant serves them.

The only upside that I can see to Joey's is that it's cheap.  So I guess if you're looking for a lunch place and you don't feel like Subway, this could be an okay option.