Grand Ole BBQ y Asado Review: Central Texas Brisket in San Diego's North Park

You do not have to fly to Texas for Central Texas barbecue. On Tuesday evening, July 7, 2026, during a San Diego trip, we stopped at Grand Ole BBQ y Asado on 32nd Street in North Park. One photo from that meal tells most of the story: a thick slice of brisket on butcher paper, with a Grand Ole BBQ card on the table behind it.

Grand Ole BBQ calls itself Central Texas barbecue, and the y Asado in the name points to the Argentinean side of the menu, with grilled meats alongside the smoked ones. North Park is the original location. There is a second spot in Flinn Springs near El Cajon, and a stand at Petco Park. The restaurant also mentions a visit from Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Place

Grand Ole BBQ y Asado (North Park)

Where

3302 32nd St., San Diego, CA 92104

Hours

Website: Tue to Sun 12pm to 9pm, closed Mon. The Toast online menu shows earlier closing times, so check before you go.

Phone

(619) 720-2211

Brisket

Salt and pepper, smoked 15 hours. From $8.75 on the online menu, priced by weight (Nov 2026).

Happy hour

Tue to Fri, 3pm to 5pm, per the website

Our visit

Tuesday evening, Jul 7, 2026

The brisket

This is a cut that looks the part. Our slice was cut thick and set on reddish butcher paper. What stands out in the photo:

• A thick, crackly crust of black pepper along the top edge.
• A pink smoke ring under the bark.
• Distinct layers of meat and rendered fat along the cut side.
• Juices pooling on the butcher paper, with flecks of pepper that fell off the bark.

That lines up with how Grand Ole describes its brisket on the online menu: seasoned with only salt and pepper and smoked for 15 hours. It is a simple, classic Texas approach, and it shows.

The menu, in short

Meat is sold by the pound, and the restaurant suggests about half a pound per adult as a meal. Beyond brisket, the online menu lists pulled pork, St. Louis cut spare ribs, Texas turkey, a Texas hot link, a jalapeno cheddar link and tri tip served medium rare with chimichurri. The card on our table listed a few more casual plates, including nachos, a taco, $3 fries, wings in chili or BBQ and craft beers.

• Sandwiches: brisket ($17), pulled pork ($15), turkey ($16) and tri tip ($18), each on a warm bolillo roll.
• The Texas Cheese Steak: chopped brisket with cherry peppers, grilled onions and queso on the side ($19).
• Loaded fries: El Borracho Fries with queso and a Frito serrano relish ($12).
• Fun for kids: Stimey's Walking Taco Frito Pie, chili and queso served in a snack-size bag ($9).

Those are the online menu prices in November 2026. Smoked meats can sell out, and prices change, so use them as a guide.

Tips for families

• It is closed on Mondays, at least according to every listing we found.
• The hours on the website and the online ordering menu do not match, so call or check before a late visit.
• Order by the pound and share. Half a pound per adult is plenty, and kids can pick from the sides and the Frito pie.
• You can order ahead online for pickup if you would rather eat back at your hotel or the beach.
• Happy hour runs Tuesday to Friday, 3pm to 5pm, if you want an early dinner.

Our verdict

If you are in San Diego and missing Texas barbecue, Grand Ole BBQ y Asado in North Park is worth the stop. Get the brisket by the pound and plan around the Monday closure.