Phil's BBQ

9 recent ratings
$$ • Barbecue Restaurant
Reported NOT to have a gluten-free menu
Safety Rating
8 ratings

As rated by the community

3750 Sports Arena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110
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In 1 Public Collection

Most Recent Reviews


Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


We ate here on 12/31/23 for lunch. It was our first time eating at Phil’s in nearly 15 years and we felt it is not what it used to be. I got chicken, boneless ribs and baked beans. I found the chicken a bit dry. The boneless ribs were a bit fatty. Beans were good but the sauce was a bit thin. Kids loved the fries which seemed to be the highlight of their non gf meals. All of the meats are gf. The standard sauce is gf and I felt no reaction from the beans. The slaw and potato salad are listed as GF but I felt the beans to be the safest side.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Updated 2 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Great, very accommodating place for a gluten free, low FODMAP meal. I wanted the half chicken dinner, but after speaking with a manager, Tissam, realized I would not be able to avoid garlic from the dry rub and the BBQ sauce. She offered a grilled chicken breast made without either and facilitated my order. There is no gf menu, but the online menu lists all that is not gf.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Dedicated gluten-free fryer
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
  • Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 4 months ago read full review

Gluten Intolerant

Overall Rating

Review


Almost everything they have is gluten-free, which is why I picked them.

Emailed a few days before Father's Day to order for pickup on Father's Day for 10 people. Shortly after, I got a call to go over each item, got recommendations on quantity, and offered delivery instead. Awesome! They also called the day before delivery to confirm the order and delivery time of 3:00. They delivered exactly on time and set everything up, including serving utensils and disposable plates and silverware.

The food was hot and tasted great. We were able to feed vegitarians, too, with beans, coleslaw, and salad. It made father's day and a graduation day so easy!

Thanks to the Phil's staff that helped us.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for kids
  • Good for takeout
  • Offers delivery
Updated 9 months ago read full review

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.

Gluten-Free Features

  • Reported to have a dedicated fryer

Categories

  • Barbecue
  • Dairy-Free Friendly
  • Dinner
  • Keto Friendly
  • Kid Friendly
  • Low-FODMAP Friendly
  • Lunch
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Paleo Friendly
  • Takeout

Photos


Gluten-Free at Phil's BBQ
Gluten id
Chick-Less Tickler with fries, slaw and BBQ sauce
Menu
Add a photo View all photos

More Reviews


Wheat Allergy

Overall Rating

Review


I’ve eaten at this location many times without incident, but last night I got wheated. (Very painful acidic burning bloated stomach today.) I don’t know what happened. Maybe the fries are no longer made in their own fryer. My advice is that you ask a lot of questions about cross contamination.

I also ate last week in the Rancho Bernardo location and didn’t get sick at all.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 11 months ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Staff was knowledgeable and accommodating. I could even have the french fries!!! Didn’t get glutened and I’m stoked!! Thanks Phil’s :)

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


This place did not disappoint!! Had the ribs, chicken and fries not only was it delicious but I had no reactions at all!!! I have a severe wheat, seafood and nut allergies.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


No one knew what was gluten free. Lol they even said all the meat contained gluten… so basically no one knew what gluten was. My son was able to eat the chicken with no sauce. Thankfully he isn’t picky and loves unlimited refills of pop:/

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


The food is good. The menu does not identify what items are GF. You order at the front counter when you walk in. So I felt a little pressure to be quick and couldn’t spend a lot of time studying the menu like I usually would. So I added a photo of the menu to my review. The person who took our order had to ask the manager what was GF. The manager was informed. I was told the meats and the BBQ sauce are GF. The manager also said the fries are cooked in a separate fryer so they are GF as well. My daughter got the Chick-Less Tickler (chicken wings) with fries, coleslaw (GF) and BBQ sauce on the side. (Photo added) It was all good and she didn’t get sick. They did serve it with two giant onion rings on top of the fries. So we had to send it back for a new plate. When you order remember to say “no onion rings” because it looks like they put them on top of most dinners. Just FYI.. out of everyone in our party the chicken was the best tasting, in general.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Definitely ask for the “allergen menu” and only order items that are listed as not containing gluten. (There are tons of options.) Taste is great and ambiance is fun.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 2 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


They just show you a card, what contains gluten, which are most main items of a meal, plain chicken and salad was my impression.

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Gluten free my...... Score based on potential for gluten free menu which did not exist. The usual salad for gluten free options. BBQ chicken was in fact very tender and bbq sauce was great.

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Celiac safe! I've eaten here numerous times, and never gotten sick. Food is delish, quick and safe, zero complaints (except the line to get in, haha)

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


One of the best barbecue restaurants in Southern California!! They have a lot of gluten-free options, the meets , sides and sauces are all gluten-free. The employees are gluten-free knowledgeable.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


3 stars because the food looked great and my non-allergen side of the family enjoyed it. I am not sure if my food had CC s was just way too greasy. Both my daughter and I ended up getting sick. We both have CD and a dairy allergy amongst other food allergens. We were assured the food was GF/DF so I am assuming it was just way too oily. It had good flavor. I wouldn’t eat there again but the locals definitely loved it. They had very quick service, staff was friendly.

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Got super sick about 30 min after eating here!

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


1st time at Phil's and loved it. Check the allergen list ahead of time. The line was out the door but moved super fast. Baby back ribs were amazing. Lots of great GF options! I will be back for sure.

Updated 8 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Must go to!!! So many gf options. All their bbq meat is gf and delicious! We visit San Diego once a year and come here at least once each trip. Personal favorite is a rack of baby back ribs and large side of cole slaw. Can't wait to go back next year!

Updated 9 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Updated 10 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Allergen list is available. A lot of GF options.

Updated 10 years ago read full review

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