Saucy Service at Brazen BBQ

Brazen BBQ
441 Washington St
San Diego
619.816.1990


Have you ever been to a restaurant and the energy was drained from the place? Well that's not Brazen BBQ! From the moment you step through the door, the friendly staff and the open dining area welcome you in for a meal. A long bucket of ice cold beer sits off to the side; trophies from various barbecue competitions lining the wall; the distinct smell of cooked meat in the air. It's enough to make you say, "Yes, I want to eat here!"

I pulled up a stool on the patio and was greeted by my server. I asked for their Signature Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich and Stone Pale Ale. The ingredients alone roped me in: tangy coleslaw, tobacco onions, and their barbecue sauce, all on a sweet brioche bun. The server agreed, I was in for a fun time!

The wooden patio is great for people watching. With a window directly connected to the bar, you never feel like you're isolated from the rest of the restaurant. I can envision this becoming a very popular patio in the summertime.

The pulled pork made its way to my table and it was amazing. Far too big to be easily palmed, this sandwich required me to use both hands to keep the coleslaw and onions from escaping. With a splash of their sauce, this pulled pork was complete! However, I noticed on the menu a specialty drink that I just had to order.

"Maria's Michelada, please." I asked.
Long pause from the waiter.
"It has a lot of barbecue sauce in it. Is that okay?"
"The more the merrier!"

Maria's Michelada consists of Longboard Lager, their B.R.A.G. barbecue sauce, Trappeys, bloody mary mix, and a fresh lime. I was either going to love it or love it. Wild horses couldn't drag me from this concoction.

When it finally came out, I mixed the drink up and took a long swig. Just as I expected, the tangy barbecue sauce married perfectly with the smooth lager. Despite my love for Stone's beer, I had to admit that this was going to be my drink whenever I visited.

With a belly full of pork and an empty glass, I walked off the patio a satisfied man. There's nothing like coming to a barbecue hungry and leaving with a smile.


RATING: 8 out of 10