Small restaurant, very busy, go early to avoid sellout, food is great, be sure to try the sweetpotato pies!!

We were having a gathering and did not want anyone to cook. Everyone agreed that bbq sounded like a perfect solution. Having the gathering in Lemon Grove where I grew up, I did a Yelp search to see our options. We were not disappointed!We ordered...briscut, chicken and pulled pork. Each of our choices had a great smoke, and was juicy and a crowd pleaser! We had already made our sides and I wish we had not! I really wanted fried okra and sweet potato pie...we will be back!More

I bet you didn't know that Coop's is the national tamale champion in San Diego. Oh yes, Coop's creativity for a smoked tamale was ingenius. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase tamales at the restaurant. Especially prepared for festivals only. Coop's is a dive-in, with 3 basic...tables, chairs and 3 booths. Decor ....oh there isn't any. The focus is good eatin'. If you're a local or visitor and are hankering for savory cue, this is your place. Best to travel by car. Lemon Grove is a small City within San Diego. If you're traveling to Sycuan or Viejas or Barona, Coop's is a very good meal stop. Barbecue is flavorful. Homemade sausage is tasty. Sides (yams, potato salad, beans) my faves. If you know how to make or tasted gourmet macaroni and cheese, forego that side here. Brisket is a winner. Pork ribs tender and seasoned. All you need is a little sauce, rather than drowning your food in sauce to compensate for flavor. Sweet potato pie, always most and perfectly sweetened balanced. Peach cobbler-undistinguished. Coop's is pricey. Especially if you are a person that cooks, and barbecues, and actually does the grocery shopping. You do get plenty of food but you kind of get a tinge in the stomach when you pay for a family of four. I love to cue. But the preparation, planning, marinating and all that jazz... leads me to Lemon Grove. Savor each bite.More

There are many bbq spots in San Diego, but my top two includes Coops. The bbq is smoked enough that the meat falls off the bone and you put how much bbq sauce you want. The Kit and Kaboodle meal is a great way to...choose 4 types of meats,comes with 2 medium sides and 2 corn bread slices. Drink selection has sweet tea among soda choices as well. The only downside is the restaurant dining area is small inside (about 8 tables that fits 4) and parking is limited.More

I went back to Coops BBQ again as they are one of the best BBQ place in San Diego. They now have a fried chicken place next door so you can get that too. Food is good and the staff is friendly. We liked the...jerk chicken and the ribs.More

1. Free Parking and lots of it 2. Very friendly staff and owner 3. HUGE portions. 4. Finger Lickin Good. 5. Very Affordable Prices for BBQ We didn't know what to get so we opted to ask the staff what they recommend and they said...the kaboodle which comes with 4 choices of meat, 2 sides, and 2 pieces of corn bread ($29.99) more than enough to feed 3-4 people. Our meat selection was the pork ribs, rib tips, brisket, and pulled pork. Our sides were potato salad and Cole slaw. Ribs and rib tips was super tender, juicy, smoky, and cooked to perfection so it wouldn't melt off the bone Pulled pork was smoky, juicy, but it is even better with the housemade tangy bbq sauce We drove 103 miles to try this place and it was well worth it!More

I've been going here now and then, because its hard to find good bbq in San Diego. They are not the best, but close by and really hit or miss. Ive had great brisket sandwiches from here, and also had them where there was barely...any meat and filled with bbq covered fat! When I called to complain, they told me it was my fault for not asking for 'lean'. I hope this was the only rude person that works here. I've met Coop and he's very nice and down to earth. They have delicious mac n cheese!.More

The level of barbecue produced in this dive off-the-beaten path near San Diego makes an hours-long road trip worthwhile. To say it is mouth-watering describes only part of the story. It is eye-watering, and tongue-watering, ear-watering...what have you. All of the senses get involved here....There is even a still that falls over the place. Like you are in a church or library. Although the owner treats people with golden oldies from the 60s and 70s, the people sitting in this dark and dank little cafe seemed singularly focused on their food. As well they should. And there is a congregational atmosphere here. For sure, this qualifies as 'soul' food. Specifics: Brisket that is tender and deeply flavored (call ahead, they run out of this), juicy and smoky BBQ chicken, ribs...the ribs are like 'where-have-you-been-all-my- life?' good. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. Sides are a nice complement to the meat, but the meat is the reason to come here. Mac and cheese, beans, and corn bread are good supporting characters, but not the star by any means (so don't be disappointed). Still, worth trying. You need something to eat with the meat. Prices are on the high side, but reasonable considering the location (near San Diego, albeit in a sketchy strip mall), and the quality of what you get. Bring cash. They take cards but cash is easier and faster, and there is always a line. Across the way is an annex to the restaurant, a food stand owned by the same guy that sells only fried items. That's where you go to get their delicious fried okra. They will bring it to you. Just let them know you will be dining at the restaurant. That's also where you will use the restroom. Get something for the road! You won't regret it.More

I'm partial to authentic Texas BBQ. Unfortunately you're going to have to to Texas for that. These guys try but fall short. The quality of the product is good. The problem is the smoke time. The brisket and ribs need to be smoked twice as...long. The sauce and sides are good. So are the desserts. If you're in the area, Spring Valley, then give it a try.More

We live close and every time we drove by and smelled the yummy bbq we thought we should try this place. My husband decided to do just that and surprised me one day on his way home from work. What a surprise. I really wanted...to give a good review as this is my home and we could use the tourist traffic but I did not like my food at all. My husband is not as picky but he didn’t like it either. Some people in the neighborhood have said they do so I’m telling you it’s a gamble. Lemon Grove does not have a lot to offer in the way of restaurants so unfortunately your choices are few. I have reviewed some other places in the area if you don’t want to risk it, check them out.More

This is the second barbecue place on a list of 2 that was given to me by a gentleman who judges barbecues. The brisket was tender, the hotlinks were nice and spicy, the red beans and rice were great, and the coleslaw was excellent. My...brother tried the pulled pork and chicken and thought the chicken was a little dry but the pulled pork was great. My other friends had barbecued spareribs along with a pulled pork sandwich and everyone enjoyed all of the food. I would put this on par with the Grand Ole BBQ y Asada on 32nd St., but that being said, at the Grand Ole BBQ y Asada you are allowed to bring your own beer and the atmosphere really was so much better being able to eat outdoors at picnic tables as opposed to inside. I would still recommend either of the barbecue places as they are as close to Texas barbecue as I found in the city.More

Fantastic BBQ. small shop there are table there but I would plan to take it home or to the park. Always busy. When the BBQ taste that good it's no wonder. Family like atmosphere. Worth the trip to LG.