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Kansas City Barbeque

Kansas City Barbeque

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Kansas City Barbeque is a restaurant bar and home of the bar scene in the movie Top Gun. KCBBQ is located across Harbor Drive from Seaport Village and just down the street from USS Midway. They have become infamous for their on-site, slow-smoked barbeque giving their meats a one-of-a-kind flavor. KCBBQ is revered by aficionados for their special sauces, rubs, and “burnt ends” of briskets known bursting with flavor! They have a Daily Happy Hour on draft beer and delicious snacks from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm!

Kansas City Barbeque

4.0

Based on 3261 reviews

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Gene McDonald

17:26 24 Sep 24

Burnt Ends !! Yes, yes ,yes !!! Plus it where top gun was performed ! Piano sceen of Great balls of Fire... awesome staff.. must go for late lunch there.. we saw the restaurant before Midway !! Then after Midway tour, wife and i went back asap for late lunch !! Great shef and servers !!

Justin Wallace

12:32 20 Sep 24

The service and atmosphere were awesome! They had heaters because the night was a little cool, but the food was lacking in the seasoning department. The ribs were pretty good, but the brisket and pulled pork could use a little more seasoning. The Mac and cheese and cheesey corn were just...ok, which is what brought the rating up a little, but the fries also were unseasoned.Maybe I just didn't understand Kansas City Barbecue, but the BBQ sauce was almost too sweet, but it did take away some of the bland taste of the meats

Kris Todd

16:56 03 Sep 24

Mike was so much fun. We were from out of town on a business trip( Aug 18) and came in to check out the Top Gun scenery. Mike took care of us, was multi tasking to the hilt but still made our time there a blast. We will definitely be back next year. Bought tons of Top Gun merch and our shot glasses!!! Mike you are the best!!!! Love,(Kris is the best?)

hkuborn

02:53 03 Sep 24

Been there cuz of "Top Gun". Not the movie fan service I expected. Some pics on the wall and a lot of crew patches (nice). Gift shop is small and expensive. Guy that drive the shop can't handle his job and is very stressed. Best word for the food is "greasy". Beers and soda from plastic cups. Wouldn't recommend eating there.

Veronika Mazur

18:33 26 Jul 24

Good vibes to match the good bbq. Friendly and quick service. Definitely recommend the brisket! The bar area is small however not pictured is the large patio.

Ken Lee

18:34 17 Jul 24

Food was just ok - ribs were good but pulled pork and rib tips were pretty dry. Sides were very good though. Service was very slow. We waited for 15 minutes to be seated even though there were plenty of tables open. And some of the servers did not seem very happy to be working there. Also, they already ran out of brisket and burnt ends by 4:30 pm so try to go there for lunch instead.But the main attraction of this place was Top Gun nostalgia and it didn't disappoint.

Perdido Nino

18:13 16 Jul 24

Really enjoy coming here. The food is good and I like the nostalgic feelings it gives from the movie Top Gun. Only thing is the piano needs servicing. I, like many others I’m sure, went to play Great Balls of Fire only for some of the keys to not work and others are out of tune. Definitely a must visit if you’re in San Diego and are nostalgic for the 80s.

Holly Murrah

18:40 14 Jul 24

Fun atmosphere inside and out but mostly the fun of eating here is just being at the famous bar location with the piano from the Top Gun movie. The servers and staff were all friendly. The meats were great but the sides were across the board just okay per all 5 of the people in our party. All sides looked and tasted like they were all straight from a can, box or grocery store.

Joe Laney

02:16 09 Jul 24

I was so disappointed. The food was terrible. The great balls of fire were mushy and bland. The brisket sandwich was greasy with zero flavor. Even the French fries were terrible. If it wasn't for the location, tourists, and the Top Gun thing, it would have been closed down years ago.

Jack Lau

14:08 06 Jul 24

If you happen to stay in downtown, this is a fun place to eat. The Top Gun facts will draw you in but it’s the people and food that will make you stay. We came on July 4th, so we had to take our food to go because it was too busy. Eat the meats. Eat the fried Mac and cheese ball.The bartender took our order and was super kind. He even fixed our order on the fly.A restaurant with heart and soul.

David J Bohnet

18:14 21 Jun 24

Lots and lots of reviews for this place…Apparently it’s a must see for San Diego but like most things in this day and age things just aren’t what they appear. I’ve worked in the area of Kansas City Barbecue for over 5 years now and never had I ever heard anyone who lives in San Diego talk about this place. I wondered why and decided to try it for myself. They indeed have a nice patio, right on the trolley line that rattles past with lights and sound every 30 minutes. They have beer and wine, no liquor, I never saw a host but I assume they have one.When you walk inside you’re not sure where or what has happened to you. The mix of picnic table clothes, war patches, bras hanging from the ceiling, and top gun memorabilia makes you wonder if you stumbled into a top gun frat house or just a Fourth of July sausage stand.The bartender greets every guest with the same one liners he’s probably been using for 20 years and really only spends time telling you what’s what if your a group geeking out on Tom Cruise photos.The barbecue has got to be good though, right? It was okay. Sauce on the side, even though I didn’t ask for it and it came out literally 3 minutes after I ordered it. I wondered if that was even enough time to microwave the meat.They also tried to overcharge me for the sandwich that is clearly listed on the menu. When I asked about it the bartender gave me some “You must’ve got the lunch menu”, and a “oh I don’t know, it’s wrong on the menu.” That may work for tourists but when something is priced on the menu for 14.99 you can’t just charge 19.99 and hope you get away with it. In the end the bartender did change it all while making me feel like it was somehow my fault. ?? ?As far as the Top Gun blonde ale only available at Kansas City BBQ in San Diego? Pass. I couldn’t even finish it and I love beer.Sadly I won’t be back but plenty of people will visit and sit in the chair Tom sat and take pictures in the tiny bar room surrounded by cases of beer but we can do better San Diego. Much better!

jayneubauer

01:17 20 Jun 24

This place has great tick tock reviews but no. Being from Kansas City this place isn't even close. Potato salad is dull, no mustard or eggs, just mayo and peppers. Coslaw is vinager based and tasteless. Beans seemed ok. Brisket was also dull. Bartenders are tossing out drinks and salutes likes it's party hour. I wouldn't buy anything here. It's NOT close to anything Kansas City. Sauce is vinager and pepper based, again. Crowd is based in the 80-90s. What a disappointment. You know the place is a dive when they sell condoms in the bathroom.

Carmen Toure Lorenzo

05:36 03 Jun 24

Stopped here because of TOP GUN. The service was super great! The staff was very attentive. I had bbq chicken. It was good, but I'm from Kansas city, so if I compare it to home, it's not there. The BBQ sauce was a lil different for me, as well.It seemed like they tried to give it a San Diego seafood/marisco flare. I didn't like the sauce at all.

Emmy W

20:35 30 May 24

As a KCMO native, I have to admit that I was dubious to hear about a KC BBQ restaurant in San Diego. We’re a bit of BBQ snobs around here. I figured there’s no better test than to get the burnt ends and I was pleasantly surprised. Everything I had was excellent; would remind you of a Gates BBQ kind of style on the fries and the meats. They even had KC beer on tap (Tank 7)!Respect from KC. You guys are doing it right.

Jack Rhoades

02:09 08 May 24

If you are a fan of BBQ and Top Gun, then this is the place for you! The food is fantastic, and the atmosphere because of Top Gun memorabilia is amazing. My wife is the biggest Top Gun fan so this was a must stop for us! We were lucky enough to sit right next to the famous piano where Goose played “Great Balls of Fire” lots of cool photo ops all around inside, there’s a lot of pictures from the movie all of over the walls and was so much fun to look at! There is merchandise available for purchase from Hoodies, T-Shirts, Tank Tops, shot glasses, stickers, and even more! Worth checking out if you’re in the area and you love Top Gun!

Palifox Jenkins

22:06 28 Apr 24

The food was great. (Get the ribs, trust.) Atmosphere, also great. The staff - omg, so on point! First time here. Careful, don't overdo it like I did. Time for the check and a nap. "Taxi!!"

Robert Bridgeforth

01:40 07 Apr 24

KC BBQ is my “Graceland”, the home of the Great balls of fire restaurant scene in Top Gun it's a MUST when in San Diego. The atmosphere is fun the food is good. Even the kids enjoyed it. There's outdoor and indoor seating available but let's face it, inside is where you want to be. Ribs are huge. The pulled pork is delicious. Highly recommend.

Amber Patterson

23:14 26 Mar 24

This is a favorite spot of ours for barbecue. It's a bit small compared to chain places, but the food and service more than make up for it. It's also kind of fun to see the spot where a scene from Top Gun happened! Lots of memorabilia to look at.The portions are good sized. We generally get the pulled pork and brisket. Both are always tender and juicy. The barbecue sauce has the right amount of tang and sweetness to it.

Chase Yeats

05:43 13 Mar 24

This is just an all-around amazing bar that's very down to earth. After visiting the naval base, I had to quickly go to this bar just to remember the power of how much Top Gun made me want to he a pilot. So.... this bar has not sold out. It's just a great bar that just so happened to have had a movie scene filmed there.

Ronnie Piedimonte

07:41 04 Mar 24

Really fun stop while in San Diego. Great atmosphere, food and service. Nice way to relive the movie, Top Gun. (bar scene filmed here)

Ruth Metcalf

07:47 02 Jan 24

Another amazing spot to visit if you're a TOPGUN fan, as it's the location where Maverick and Goose sang Great Balls of Fire and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling!The location is small but mighty. Lots of very cool TOPGUN memorabilia, plus props from the film. The food is modest and basic, but great if you like BBQ.

Brian Burr

20:37 31 Dec 23

We were there for lunch. Everything was fresh. Brisket was juicy and fork tender. The atmosphere was a bit overdone, but there were also Christmas decorations up which added lots of clutter. Lots of Top Gun memorabilia. Although, most of the original stuff (juke box, walls, boothes) were destroyed by a fire.

LtThompsonCS

01:57 22 Dec 23

(3/5) OVERALL: quaint little restuarant serving various types of BBQ on their menu. Cool claim to fame: Top Gun had 2 small scenes here. Unfortunately there's not much else great to say. Their happy hour is deceptively misleading; only available at the bar. It was cool seeing all the Top Gun and Navy memorabilia; would not return for the seemingly medicore food.(3/5) Brisket Sandwich: meat was dry and bland. No amount of BBQ sauce (which was sub par at best) could salvage that sandwhich. The onion rings would have been perfect if it wasn't also bland; it had a perfect crispy exterior with a soft onion interior.(3/5) Peach cobbler: arrived extremely hot; as if it was reheated in a microwave. The texture was unappealing as it was all mush. The diced (odd choice in my opinion) peaches was overly soft; while the batter was mushy. To add insult to injury it was also bland.(5/5) Some co workers did order the Mac and cheese balls and fried pickles. Those were excellent and I would recommend.

Jon Schemanske

22:07 17 Dec 23

This is a great little bbq place. My wife and I went twice on our weekend in San Diego. The service was prompt, and the bbq is good. They lean really heavily into the top gun appearance - lots of cool movie paraphernalia! I highly recommend their bbq beans and burnt ends. Very tasty.

V Laz

06:47 12 Dec 23

Wonderful service by Marcie. She was the only waitress and it was pretty busy. There were a few items that were given to us by mistake, but to be fair, there were 14 of us, but it was taken care of right away. Food was great and so many iconic "Top Gun" paraphernalia like the famous piano from the sleazy bar scene to check out.

Kyle Tritsarolis

06:12 28 Oct 23

A great place to visit if you’re in town. They have a ton of Top Gun memorabilia. Definitely worth stopping in.I’m from Kansas City, and I appreciated that they had local beers from the KC area.The bar tender was very friendly, and it felt like he was putting on a show.This is probably the cheapest place to drink in the area.

Jason C

03:18 25 Oct 23

I have been by here in the past but I hadn’t had the opportunity to try it out. This is where the bar scene of Top Gun (the first one) was filmed. They play it up, so you should not be surprised.We arrived when they opened at 11am which allowed us to beat the conference crowds. We enjoyed the BBQ chicken and pulledpork plate. The onion rings were good and moist. The chicken fell off the bone and was juicy. The BBQ sauce is very sweet, it was good even though I prefer a little more heat in my BBQ sauces. I will definitely be back

Pi C.

03:42 22 Oct 23

Was recommended by a local to try out. We decided to sit outside. There was a bit of a breeze which was nice.Food:All the meats were dry, and not enough BBQ sauce to moisten it up. The BBQ sauce didn't helpThe sides were decent but nothing to rave about.Service wasn't bad.Pro. There was a lot of food.We only realized this after we arrived but it was on Top Gear.

Oui Duran

05:23 14 Oct 23

Just tourist trap. Food tastes terrible (dry fried chicken was served and bbq chicken, slaw was too sour, bbq sauce was very sweet, ribs were bland, not smokey and moist at all). Service was really bad when we were there. The server we got had a bad attitude. Also, she gave us an ugly look and made a weird expression when we asked if the place offered a military discount. The only good things were fries and for taking photos.

Robert McKee

13:47 06 Oct 23

There is NO reason to eat here. They will let you in to look around & take pictures. The food is at best digestible.Ok. Maybe you could sit in the corner where Top Gun bar scene was suppose to have been shot, but do yourself a favor; order beers and not the food.

Daniel

00:13 24 Sep 23

Very cool to see the memorabilia and eat in a location where a scene from Top Gun was filmed! The wait staff were incredibly friendly. The food was good, but not great. The brisket I had was a little dry, but the sauce helped.

Tomasz Piascik

20:01 12 Sep 23

The bar was packed with memerobilia. Do you want to see hats from every single USS navy ship hanging from the ceiling? Do you want to see random license plates from every state and province? Do you want to see a ceiling fan covered in bras of all sizes? This place has atmosphere. The service was great and friendly. The meat was good but a little on the dry side. If you dipped it in the sauce then it was great. Onion rings were really good too.

John Rosas

05:04 13 Aug 23

Kansas City Barbeque is no Michelin 5-star establishment. Just a fun, gaudy, greasy spoon eatery made famous by an iconic movie about elite Navy pilots.Located near Seaport Village and about 1/2 mile from the San Diego Convention Center, a fun place to get some bbq, put on your aviator sunglasses and pretend you're Maverick or Goose.

Joe Quatt

04:46 10 Aug 23

Great Atmosphere, Great Service… BBQ was terrible…. The atmosphere sitting outside at the bar where Top Gun was filmed was really cool. The service staff was also very friendly. However this bbq is terrible. It had a weird taste and was severely over cooked. The ribs were awful, Mac and cheese was bland but the potato salad was actually great and the best part of the meal. Come and have a beer and check the place out and go eat somewhere else. Also really expensive for BBQ.

Edwin Lodens

20:00 03 Aug 23

If you're a fan of Top Gun you have to go and visit this place. All the memorabilia from the bar scene in the first Top Gun is right at this location.The barbecue was good... The beer was cold... It's definitely a place you got to stop if you get a chance...

Princess Smartypants

17:55 26 Jul 23

Love this place, we always visit when we are in San Diego. Pulled pork is to die for and the fried mac/cheese is excellent. The atmosphere is great. Go during Happy Hour....great deals!!

Derek

21:25 10 Jul 23

A nice small busy place with a bit Hollywood history. Definitely both a restaurant and tourist destination for Top Gun fans. The service was good and quick and the food was good. The inside is very crowded. Would go back again and would recommend.

Adrian Nagle

15:05 08 Jul 23

I thought I would try out Kansas City Barbeque due to the history with the movie Top Gun (great movie!).Service was casual, efficient, and average. It was late afternoon, so I think I had the lunch brisket sliced with fries and potato salad. The brisket was good but not amazing. I've had more tender flavorful brisket other places. Potato salad was tasty. Fries were large and also average. Server added personal touch on bill.I enjoyed the outdoor seating and watching patrons take pictures at a standee of Top Gun main characters. The interior is very small. The walls are decorated with many patches from first responders and military personnel.Everything is accessible (all on ground floor). I question if the restroom is wheelchair accessible; it is old and small (I just don't recall).

Annmarie Pinner

23:16 30 Jun 23

Place was so much fun and I will definitely be back but on a Wednesday to see JERSEY!Had a great time with that bartender especially being a retired bartender myself!! So much fun, even met Joe & Lyndsey....2 of the locals.

Thomas Trautman

02:42 12 Jun 23

It took me years and 1000s of miles, but i made it, and I loved it here. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere was amazing and I got to see where my favorite movie was filmed. Everyone was super friendly and accommodating. I will say the food was okay. The original piano is still there with crowds taking pictures. It's definitely a must if you're in the area.

McCall Castro

01:11 24 May 23

No frills BBQ spot and bar in heart of downtown San Diego. It’s popular among tourists because scenes from the original Top Gun were filmed here. And while the decor hasn’t changed much since the 80s, the food is what keeps it so popular even among the locals.The meat is the star here, obviously. But don’t miss out on the mac and cheese either - it’s some of the best I’ve had at a restaurant. Plus servings are decently priced, so you don’t have to break the bank for good BBQ.

Javier Chavez

00:37 24 May 23

This place has notoriety because scenes from Top Gun with Tom Cruise were filmed there. There are at least 5 or 6 tiny rooms with a lot of memorabilia. It is like a tiny museum. Very interesting. Now to the food. Good, not great barbecue. If it was not a celebrity attraction, it would be just ok. Enjoy it for what it is.

Rusty Parker

02:04 16 May 23

BBQ was good paired with onion rings and homemademac and cheese! ... wings are great.. but the best part was Chris the bartender!! You can have a great place... but your staff is what people remember!! Thank you Chris!

Ry Hil

04:07 04 May 23

Disappointing considering the hype. Our Brisket was overcooked, it would have been better served as the ends, but the flavor was decent. We also had the pork ribs, they we're very tender and easily came off of the bone. Side dishes were potato salad, chessy corn, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. All were good except for the slaw which had a bit too much vinegar. The quality was similar to a backyard BBQ, which isn't necessarily bad, or good. Good, friendly service.

Frank Chaco

22:27 02 Mar 23

Today I was with friends and in a hurry for lunch from a workshop at the Hyatt so we went to Kansas City Barbecue. Man was I happy for making that choice. The service was QUICK and outstanding, the atmosphere was very casual and quaint but the food was just fantastic!! Including my beer! We were in and out of there in less than 45 min. I had the Amazing Brisket. I'll definitely return as my friends liked it too. They also offer take out.

Joelle Goodwin

07:29 28 Dec 22

Known as the "Top Gun" bar. I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good, especially for "Kansas City BBQ" in California. I had the rib platter with pork ribs. The ribs were good. I was not a huge fan of their BBQ sauce as it was a bit sweet. The coleslaw was good, though it is vinegar based and good Mac and cheese. This is not a good place for a vegan or vegetarian there are no options for non-meat eaters. There's lots of Top Gun memorabilia on the walls and what is supposed to be the piano from the movie is there. The most surprised thing for me was how small the place is. I tiny hat to the wonders of movie making. The restaurant and bar are extremely small. It looked like you would have a hard time getting more than 50 people in the place. It was an overall good experience.

Londoner

21:27 01 Dec 22

TOP GUN. It's not just a restaurant it's an attraction as well. The service of the guy behind the counter was excellent. The food was nicely cooked and tasty, the atmosphere and the vibe they make the whole experience way better. I highly recommend this place

Samuel Evans

07:26 27 Sep 22

As someone who is from the Kansas City area, a Jayhawk alum, Chiefs fan AND fan of Top Gun, this was a fantastic experience! After the 2008 fire a bit has changed since from the original, however the owners did a nice job restoring the place, from military patches on the wall to sports memorabilia! The brisket plate and beer were very good, plus the service was very friendly. Would love to go back, especially when a KC team is playing!

Julie Morris

05:19 22 Aug 22

Really bad service. We should have known when the hostess ignored us for several minutes. We were finally seated and they were not very busy. Eventually we were able to flag down a server and place our order. It took forever. We ate and couldn't get the check. We ended up just leaving cash on the table and leaving. Please click ? if this is helpful.

Nicole Asaraf

16:57 26 Jul 22

This place was always a bucket list restaurant because it is the Top Gun bar. I was absolutely impressed with how good this bbq was. I got the baby back ribs with Mac and cheese and potato salad. All of it was so good. I even asked if the sell the bbq in a bottle but they don’t. Next time I’m coming down to SD, I’m coming here for bbq.

David Henrie

16:22 14 Jul 22

I really liked KC BBQ of San Deigo. The food was hot and fresh. It had a good vibe about it. Great location. Try the burnt ends if you can. But if they are out of the burnt ends, their two meat combo is good too.They had the sound track of the original Top Gun movie playing while we were there. This is the location where they filmed what is known as the sleazy bar scene for Top Gun. There was Top Gun memorabilia all over the place. They continued to play a nice collection of 80's music.We ate outside even though it was a little cool in the evening. When we mentioned the temp to the waitress, she turned on the overhead heater for us. It was very, very pleasant to eat outside in the evening. I recommend it.

Koden McPheron

04:21 01 Jul 22

The food was great, but there is no reason to wait 45 minutes for a pulled pork sandwich. The service was mediocre at best and when I went to ask about my food I felt like I was not being listened to. If you're in the vicinity it's a great tourist attraction but you could definitely find a better place to eat.

Martha Richards

01:46 20 Jun 22

We had the best time today for lunch. Chris, the bartender, was entertaining and attentive. The folks sitting next to us added to the enjoyment. If you like the Top Gun movies you have gotta check this place out! (we parked at Seaport Village for $10 across the street).

Alfredo Garcia Jr

02:46 06 Jun 22

This was a really cool place to visit and eat dinner! 🙂 the barbecue was real good and the menu selection is also good. The service was excellent and there are a lot of things from the first Top Gun movie! This was the sleazy bar that was used in the original Top Gun! If you're ever in San Diego and near the convention center it is a place to definitely visit! 🙂

Jarrod

19:36 13 May 22

This place holds a special place in my heart, for great reasons. The BBQ was great! I've had Texas BBQ and Southern BBQ, but this ranks up there for sure. Restaurant is the place where they filmed a few great Original Top Gun movie scenes. Check it out when you are here, and experience a great place. And watch Top Gun to see what scenes this place held.

Ewa Boyle

00:00 05 May 22

I tried only a couple of things from their menu. The barbecue ribs were very well done. I would definitely recommend this place. And, of course, if you're a fan of the "Top gun" movie, it will be fun checking out the place and taking a couple of pictures!

Charles

01:40 10 Apr 22

This place is surviving strictly on the fact that they had a scene in Top Gun filmed here. That was in 1985. It's 2022.I ordered pulled pork, as did my wife, and my daughter ordered brisket. As you can see below, the pulled pork was dry and clumpy with meh flavour. I've genuinely made better at home and haven't been at it for forty years.The brisket was also dry and had no real flavour. The bark was charred and had none of the hallmarks of good brisket (ya know - a nice smoke ring). This has easily been one of the most disappointing eating experiences I've ever had.The slaw is bitter.Speaking of bitter - the waitress.... What a charmer! Melissa was VERY clearly overjoyed to be at work, to work or to even do the basics of her job. Here's my suggestion - just don't. Go anywhere else (I highly recommend The Lion's Share which is right around the corner). Don't let the nostalgia trick you into making bad life choices.

Jake H

05:45 22 Mar 22

Jekyll and Hyde…..This absolutely pains me to leave a 1 star review for a place I have wanted to visit for years. But after multiple trips to San Diego, it has finally happened.The bar was awesome. It was absolutely everything you wanted it to be and expected it to be. The service was great, the experience was great and we had zero issues. Group of 8 at 7:30 on a Monday night had a 20 minute wait. No worries at all, we will crush this wait time at the bar!The remaining experience, dining, was a completely opposite and negative experience. After ordering food and a 1+47 wait for nothing, we started to Wonder where our food was. An elder lady came out and began to make excuses for the delay. Typically you are understanding in a post Covid world and expect it. No worries. Not in this case, we were blamed for our wait time due to not making a reservation and this wait time was our fault. Completely inexcusable. I’ve had the privilege of visiting restaurants all over the world and have never had this experience before.

Paul Bourdeaux

00:43 18 Mar 22

5 stars for the ambiance, awesomely crass staff, and so much Top Gun memorabilia!If you aren't familiar, this is the bar they filmed all pf the iconic bar scenes at in the movie, Top Gun. From Great Balls of Fire to You've Lost That Loving Feeling, it happened here!Food was good not great, and they were out of the Top Gun Blond beer which was too bad. But it is a total blast from the past for fans of the movie.It is a dive bar to be sure, don't set yourself up for disappointment expecting something more in line with the bars on the Pier or further downtown. But it is a MUST GO when you are in San Diego.

Scott Clifford

14:01 21 Feb 22

Filming location for the original Top Gun movie, but it doesn't have that touristy feel. More of a local hangout. Everyone at the bar seemed to have known each other, and the bartenders, for years. Staff and regulars were very friendly and welcoming. I was in San Diego for two weeks for work and really appreciated feeling right at home at KCBB. Went there multiple times

W D

19:26 19 Feb 22

What a great bar this is, an old style American bar. The staff were friendly and engaging, nice customer mix, tourists and locals. Had bar food (Which was great), but will probably book for dinner given half a chance in the future. Almost as much of a must as the Midway ???

John Drobnica

16:48 15 Feb 22

If you're a Top Gun fan this place is a must. They truly enjoy visitors and they are eager to snap a photo... or several! Drinks are delicious, and their keylime pie is scrumptious! Lots of movie memorabilia and relax on their street patio. We've been visiting KC BBQ since the 80's and nothing has really changed, less the number of bras suspended on the ceilings!

Brett White

02:55 03 Feb 22

Oh yeah it's a dive bar. But Top Gun had a scene there! The bar tenders are the best. The food pretty damn good. The beer selection really good. I'm definitely going back because of the fun atmosphere. Gentlemen wave to the light rail patrons as your using the bathroom.

Breann

07:28 25 Jan 22

Yikes. That could be the whole review.We came in knowing that this was "California BBQ" (even if KC is in the name) so our expectations were already low. The meat was dry, the coleslaw sad, the macaroni acceptable, and the sauce watery. The only thing that is worth eating here is the beans.If the review could stop there, we could probably end at 2 or 3 stars: it's a Top Gun bar and you get a little less than what you would expect from a tourist trap.Parking is bad, the servers are too busy taking photos of themselves (not with guests) and face timing to wait on you, they literally took the water off of our table and didn't return it, the meat was practically cardboard, AND (the real kicker) food poisoning. The other reviews are right. This experience sticks with you. Sometimes for several days. On the toilet.Pros: lots of Top Gun props, some cool military coins, great locationCons: food, lack of drinks, parking, service, food again, and food poisoningGo for a drink, but do yourself a favor and don't touch the food.

Tori F

03:40 15 Dec 21

This place is definitely for the nostalgia but it IS a cool location. There is no bar technically - just beer and wine. Also, a pretty limited menu and not real gluten friendly. Still recommend regardless. Get some pictures and enjoy the ambience but don't expect a whole lot from the food.

Antoni Kunkel

22:33 02 Dec 21

Small indoor dining area and large outdoor dining area - chose indoor seating, table in the corner by the piano. Quick service, food was tasty but not outstanding, just average. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich with slaw on it and mac & cheese as my side. My friend ordered the pulled pork with slaw and fries. I liked the slaw which is vinegar based, not mayonnaise based. We also ordered a side of onion rings which were the biggest disappointment of the meal as they are not homemade, but rather the frozen pre-packaged onion rings - wouldn’t recommend the onion rings! Went to see the Top Gun memorabilia, just thought it would be a better dining experience food wise.

Bill Munsch

14:03 25 Nov 21

Delicious BBQ. Get some ribs, sides and a cold beer. Don't forget desert. Peach cobbler was delicious and plenty big enough to share. We ate outside. Watched some football and checked out the Top Gun memorabilia before we left. Great day!

Sydney West

00:09 22 Nov 21

Great KC Themed bar, as a KC person, the BBQ wasn't quite "Kansas City" to me. It is probably difficult to get the same quality of meats on the coast. Great place to watch any Kansas City or (Kansas college) sports team play, especially The Chiefs!! Too Fun theme was also cool. Service was fast and friendly, would go again when I'm in town if there is a game on!

Frank Paulin

18:36 19 Nov 21

I ordered the slab of Ribs. Their Ribs are a dry rub and you get some sauce on the side. I like being able to taste the meat and not having it swimming in sauce.Service is really good. This seems like a great place to watch football, especially if you're a Chiefs fan. The decor is really cool too.

Brent DeBruine

04:07 28 Oct 21

Fantastic! Absolutely worth the stop! The atmosphere is that of a small town "Mom & Pop" style bar. Great Top Gun memorabilia & the bartender had a great story of the filming of the movie scenes there. The staff was very friendly & full of knowledge as well! It's a FOR SURE stop for a cold one!

Al D

04:15 15 Sep 21

Definitely a theme based kind of local restaurant that holds on to its Top Gun roots. They have about 8 beers on tap and wine but no liquor. The bbq is plentiful but it ranges from very good to average (burnt ends were great, pulled pork was good, brisket was average). Bartender was really friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient, but I'd try other places in the local area first.

Audrey Pena

14:54 07 Sep 21

Food and atmosphere was terrific. The brisket will cause you to question all other brisket you've ever had. Onion rings, chicken wings, and fried pickles, mmm.Server, Kelsey, is the best. She's taking care of you without you having to ask.We'll go back for the food and service for sure. ?

Vernon Smith

20:17 27 Jul 21

Meal fantastic.Has been sixteen years since last I visited the Top Gun Sleazy Bar scene grill. If anything the, atmosphere, service, eats and Fun as aged brilliantly.The fun, the food, history and especially the owners were all reasons KC BBQ was always one of my main watering holes as I wheeled myself around San Diego on my bicycle.GO EAT and kick back under the San Diego sun on KC's patio or wheel into history at their bar!

lottei ZERO

03:40 25 Jul 21

It was very busy at the time I went in so the wait was a little long but the experience is worth it. I like the energy of the bar, every server is very comfortably casual and nice.It's much easier to do a to-go order than it is to get a table.I hope these menus help folk, as it was difficult for me personally to read with what was already there.

Cindy Burke

20:18 09 Jul 21

Kansas City BBQ is the best bar in San Diego, in my opinion.From Cindy and Martin, to Chris, Melissa, Jennifer, Nina, Jersey and Mike, the folks that work here make it a memorable experience, in and of itself.Add to that, a great menu, with great food, (the potato salad is incredible!), it is located in a museum!Stop in and say " Hi"! They will be glad to see you.

T G

04:32 23 Jun 21

Let me start with saying the pulled pork and brisket are delicious!!!! I'm such a picky person to please.. but they were really good! So good that I went back days later for more... The portions were good size & since I like to people watch the outdoors seating was perfect.*Let me add that the buffalo wings are good too..!

David Partridge

20:28 21 Jun 21

What a fun bar to visit. All of the paraphernalia of the original Top Gun movie is hear. It appears as a tiny dive bar but it is so much more.The BBQ is so tender and delicious! We ordered a pulled pork sandwich and pork ribs. Both were excellent and love their BBQ sauce.Bartenders are great and there is a large variety of tap beers available including some of the local favorites. Prices are decent $$ and again the BBQ is delicious!

ARMAND Ouedraogo

00:33 18 Jun 21

We felt welcome and appreciated. And the food.... I can't even begin to say how delicious it was. My 2 years old wouldn't stop chewing on a succulent rib! Amazing place

Allen Skinner

04:55 18 May 21

Fun BBQ joint in San Diego. Meats are smoked with a dry rub with tomato based and vinegar based BBQ sauce. Excellent meat and vinegar based slaw. Fries good according to the teenaged assistant reviewer. Potato salad was a bit bland. Mac and cheese not bad but have had better. Excellent customer service. Bonus is looking at the memorabilia from Top Gun and other awesome military memorabilia.

jalen gonzales

18:02 26 Jan 21

One of a kind place! The food is to die for! You absolutely cannot go wrong with some of their smoked wings with an order of fried Mac and cheese balls!! The staff is beyond friendly! I’ve made many lifelong friends amongst the staff and regulars, this is truly a one of a kind and magical place! Should be on anyones to do list who is visiting the beautiful city!

Liizzy San

20:46 28 Oct 20

Went to this restaurant on Monday for the first time. I was really looking forward to it because of Top Gun. Didn’t have to wait in line. As soon as we got there we got a table. The service was great. The waitress kept on checking up to see if we needed anything. I definitely suggest the fried pickles and the Mac balls to start off. I love how it’s all about Top Gun. I would definitely recommend this place to eat if you’re in San Diego.