Jimmy’s Brick Pit BBQ – Poway

Travis is always looking for a good bbq dinner.  Pulled pork is usually his yardstick measure; mine is brisket since I’ve given up on finding tri-tip like I’m used to from years in San Luis Obispo.  A place gets bonus points if we don’t have to travel too far from home to get some tasty smoked meats.

We’ve been to Kaminski’s enough times to not really want to go back.  We also went to Smokin’ Joe before it changed names and became Jimmy’s Brick Pit BBQ.  I thought Jimmy’s was the same, just with a different sign, so one night we decided to stop in and see for ourselves.  It’s the same, just with a little more bad-partner drama, and sometimes red velvet cake for dessert.

We got the Special Combo – 3 meats, 3 sides, and a roll or cornbread (always get the cornbread with bbq).  We chose the pork ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.  Sides were collard greens, coleslaw, and baked beans.  And cornbread.  The pork ribs were well-smoked but a little tough.  The pulled pork was tasty, tender, and moist, but not much smoke came through.  The brisket ended up being pulled brisket instead of chopped (or sliced) brisket, which I think dried it out a little.  We had a few pieces that hadn’t been pulled and they were moist and tender, which made me wish it had all just been chopped instead of pulled.  Good beefy flavor, just a bit dry.  The beans and coleslaw were good, but a bit standard.  Travis would have liked the coleslaw in smaller pieces, but the dressing was nice – just sweet enough, but not too thick or cloying.  The winner of the sides was hands down the collards.  Best collards I’ve had in San diego – the greens weren’t tough, they were flavorful without being too salty, and it didn’t feel too greasy.   The cornbread was more cakey than bready, and I concede that everyone has their preference.  I actually enjoy both; it just depends on what I’m eating and what kind of mood I’m in.  This one was like a slightly sweet, corn-bready muffin.  Good with butter and honey.

Incidentally, the New Coney Island Pizza next door makes a pizza with Jimmy’s pulled pork, sausage, bbq chicken, and mac ‘n cheese on it.  Not all at once, but the pizza is divided into quarters and each quarter has a different topping.  It’s something different, but it’s a little too much for me.  I think I prefer more traditional pizzas.

For now, Jimmy’s is our best bbq option in Poway, until Travis finds time to break out the smoker again.  We’ll just keep whittling away at the menu until we find our favorites.