Barbecue Pit (El Cajon) Revisit

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Kirk is busy with 'work' and will return soon enough. Until then, Cathy is writing.

Barbecue Pit is a longstanding (since 1947) restaurant in El Cajon. Posting in 2014 as well as in 2018, combined with Kirk's post of Wrangler Family Barbecue, in 2010 (Wrangler has the same menu, decor, ambiance and flavors as Barbecue Pit; it was once part of the chain) doesn't really show how much this place is part of our 'regular rotation'.  Its location, kitty corner from Beef 'n Bun, on the North East corner of Fletcher Parkway at Garfield, (next to the Baskin Robbins) has plenty of parking in front and in a larger area in the same lot, serving a 99 Cent Only store as well as a few other storefronts. 
 Step inside, walk up, order and watch your meal being prepared.  The Texas style, pit smoked (over oak) meats available are beef, pork, ham, chicken and links.  The sides are slaw, potato salad, baked beans and fries.  The soups are pea soup and navy bean.  The combinations for meals are plenty and delineated on the wall. 
Pay, find a table, grab your beverage, check out the condiment bar and grab some utensils.  
 I ordered the 'soup and sandwich' ($8.99). A large bowl of navy bean soup and a ham sandwich- smoky, thick slices of ham on a toasted bun.  The soup is a particular new craving of mine.  More on that in a moment.
We went on a Saturday night (the Barbecue Pit is closed on Sundays) and there was a Special on the white Boards- the Sloppy Joe beef sandwich plate was $9.99. Slaw and potato salad were the sides.  You can see this was a generous portion of smoked beef.  You can add more BBQ sauce as you wish...tangy and sweet, warm and luxuriously thick, the sauce is a compliment to the beef.
  Here's another visit. The rib and chicken combo plate with sides of baked beans and potato salad and cornbread ($16.50) was The Mister's order. 
Two large, juicy, meaty, well smoked (leaving a bark on the meat) beef ribs and 1/4 chicken (breast and wing).  Not using the sauce, the smokiness really comes through.  Using the sauce halfway through makes the meal a new experience. 
 On this visit, I tried the chicken sandwich and navy bean soup.  The soup really is all beans with carrot, celery and onion; a bowl by itself is a meal.  The chicken sandwich is plentiful and has a more delicate smokiness when tried plain.  

Everything here is good. 

Barbecue Pit 2388 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon 92020 (619)462-5434 Open Mon-Sat 10:30-9 CLOSED SUNDAY Website 

 There is dessert here, too. 

Comments

[kat]

those sides look huge, and everything looks tasty!

[caninecologne]

The decor looks just like the BBQ Pit in National City. Mmmm, those ribs!

[Soo]

That's my friend's favorite bbq joint! I liked it but there are a few spots I love more.

[Cathy]

The sides are plentiful (and good!), Kat. Because the menu is limited, everything here is 'done right' and is fresh and flavorful.

Yes, the National City location is part of this chain, cc. At one point there were 15 locations and now only the two Barbecue Pits and the one Wrangler remain. The beef ribs are wonderful.

It's a great place, Soo. I like the history and 'local owned' aspect as well as the food. It's fun to see and greet the 'regulars' -who are older than us- enjoying a meal.

[Cathy Greene]

We've been coming here for years. Happily a former employee of the National City outlet opened up the long shuttered BBQ Pit in North Park. Identical decor and very similar menu, we love having it in walking distance! The best fries and generous servings. I wish it was busier, though.

[Cathy]

How lucky you are to be in walking distance, Cathy! Actually have never tried the fries here, but will, soon. The El Cajon location has a pretty steady business, have noticed a lot of take out ordered.