Lightnin Jack’s BBQ

Very angry/​frustrated manager. I ordered food, but he wouldn’t sell it to my delivery guy that I sent to pick it up (I placed a custom order with postmates). I even offered to pay cash!
I can’t speak for the food itself, as I didn’t get to try it.

It appears that some of the not-​so-​good reviews are not really about this joint. Maybe mistaken identity? I visit weekly and normally get the half chicken meal with coleslaw and it’s always juicy and tender. The pulled pork sandwich never disappoints and, of all things there, the chicken wings are second only to Wings n Things. I would recommend this to anyone in the area or as a destination.

Hum, caught the review from Lori P below and think maybe she got the wrong restaurant on the Unilocal map. At LJs I’ve NEVER had a staff member treat me with anything but a smile and pleasant conversation before taking my order. My wife and I eat there 3 – 5 times a week. Yep, it really is that good. Be careful though, the rib tips are VERY addicting and those steak fries are the best in Southern Cal. Just be carful in your feeding frenzy to keep that delicious bbq sauce in your mouth and off you shirt.

THE WORST BBQ EVER!!! And even worse service– as I waited in line to order– with 3 people ahead of me, my phone rang and I quietly answered while I waited in line. The guy behind the counter (cashier) loudly cussed at me and told me to «hang up the —ing phone!!!»
The guy must have been high on something. Your business will go out of business if you continue to hire losers like that!

Came here Sunday lunch wasn’t crowded at all. Got the sampler that came with pork and beef ribs, brisket, chicken, and half a link for 20 bucks. Corn on the cob included for .20 cents more and a side is included. Portions are generous and my plate was enough for two! Prices are good, lower than phil’s and they have more choices. Food was DELICIOUS! Love that we didn’t have to wait long for our food and service was friendly. Would definitely come back!

I’m writing based off a delivery experience & I’d like to assume/​hope that the food is better when dining in.
Ordered the boneless BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, cornbread & corn on the Cobb. The chicken wasn’t edible, cold and dry, the sauce was good but the chicken itself was flavorless, threw all of it away. The corn was more gray than yellow & completely bland, the cornbread was burnt and dry but edible once I added honey butter.
The Mac & Cheese was decent, but I spent $ 28 total and it definitely wasn’t $ 28 macaroni.

Lightning jacks is a nice little joint. There seemed to only be two people that worked there, so if you have a couple people ahead of you it might take a little. That said, the food is really good. I had a burger which I would order again for sure. My girlfriend ordered a salad which was a good size and had good veggies. And it was all very affordable. I would come back again for sure.

Best BBQ food ever! Love the taste of it all and how everything is made fresh. And I am a picky eater but this place never let’s down! Great service and reasonable prices. Definitely would recommend to anyone and everyone! If you don’t like BBQ well come here and you might change your mind.

Maybe an off day. Food was cold. Meat was overlooked and cold. Beans were ok, not great. The best part of my lunch was a kings Hawaiian roll. Don’t think I’ll be back. Left hungry, because the food was not good.

Umm, I don’t know if I would recommend this place. It looked clean when I first entered so I ordered the Rib Tip special. After I placed my order I looked at the guy on the kitchen was sweat was just pouring off the guy. When I got my order I could only eat about three of the rib tips. They did not taste good. The owner was sitting one table away watching TV and could see I hardly touched what I ordered and didn’t even ask if everything was ok. When I threw the food in the trash the owner ask «you didn’t like it? I said no and left. No way am I going back to this place.

Nicely done Chris & crew at Lightnin Jacks in Clairemont Square! Small hole in the wall joint in The San Diego BBQ seen! Always willing to talk thru the menu as the kids are yelling outside on the patio! Great stop before or after the air conditioning at the movies next door!

I love this place for a several reasons:
It’s the perfect place to stop in for a drink and a snack before the movie.
They have ice cold Stone beer both bottle and draft.
It feels like a family owned place — totally non corporate.
Friendly quick service. l
It just feels comfortable here.
I even like the funky old TV they put outside the window. Usually with a good game.
This is one my regular hangs. Hope it stays around for a long time.

Solid little bbq spot hidden in the back of the Claremont town center. I had the pulled pork with fries and it was decent and cost about 11 bucks. The guy working the counter was super nice. Good alternative to phils and much faster service!

Under rated! How the hell can’t you like a place named Lightnin Jack’s BBQ? The name drew me in over the mediocre reviews. I get it, I don’t want a BBQ place in a mini mall strip in Clairemont either, but it’s pretty fuggin’ good.
Robust menu with cool daily specials. Got the pulled pork sandwich special with the steak fries, iced tea and an order of their wild fire wings. Pulled pork is pretty good. Comes on an awesome multi grain style bun. Tons of pulled pork and I liked they asked me if I wanted my slaw on the side or the sandwich first. Very good sandwich, just wished there was some sliced pickles to mix up the flavors and texture. Fries are awesome. Big steak fries with some nice seasoning dosed perfectly. Slaw was nice and fresh being crisp with a nice mix and perfect sweetness.
The wings were pretty good. They had a slight smokey after taste like they were actually smoked, but doubt it. Mix it with their distinct sauce and you’ll remember their wings for sure. Love they have their BBQ sauce heated for you to get more if you want. Super customer service. Want to get back here soon for some cajun links, catfish and mac & cheese. Great place and well worth sucking up the frustration of the mini mall crowd for some pretty tasty comfort food.

Write out the gate the guy (did not catch his name) was attentive and went above and beyond. His customer service was wonderful. You will know which guy when you visit this place :)
The rib tips are delicious. Fit for a king! Full of flavor. Hot. Full of meat. If you love BBQ ribs like myself. Get this! I highly recommend this plate.

Very dishonest people there. Today, on half-​price San Diego, they were selling $ 20 vouchers for $ 10 to use at Jack’s Lightning BBQ. When I got to Jack’s, the manager informed me that what I actually purchased was two separate $ 10 vouchers, and that I can only use one per visit. He then pulled out three pages of fine print stapled together from under his podium (as if he had been having to read people the fine print on these vouchers all day). He was very rude, and served me a cold pulled pork sandwich on wet bread. I would recommend that no one Lightning Jack’s BBQ… at least not while there’s dead dogs on the street.

Their online menu prices are much lower than the actual in-​store menu. Scheistinessity.
For example, I went in because their online menu had me sold for the reasonable price of $ 6.59, BUT when I showed up it was over $ 10! I believe the owners are at the order –takers/​register. I told them it conflicted, but they acted like I didn’t know what I was talking about.
I just turned around and walked out. Sigh.

The owner is a great guy and loves talking with his customers. It is almost like eating at a family members house! The food is smoked to perfection and it is juicy and delicious! My mom and I split a ½ bbq chicken and I took the breast portion. The breast was juicy, tender, and cooked perfectly. The coleslaw was very good… a bit sweet, but, I chowed mine down in a heartbeat. If you bring your movie ticket stub you get a discount. Everything about this place appealed to me and i encourage anyone looking for a great lunch/​dinner to visit. I don’t think you will regret it.

I’m not going to say that it’s the best BBQ joint in town but you could do a lot worse. I’ve eaten their food quite a few times in recent years and have generally been satisfied, last night was no exception. I had my usual beef brisket plate, the beef was tender and there was plenty of it, the sauce is consistently tangy.
Their sides are better than what you find in many BBQ places (you get one side on a dinner plate), I most recently had the baked beans which are always good. I also like the red potato salad as well as the cole slaw, neither of which go overboard with the mayo.
There really isn’t too much to the place, it wouldn’t be unpleasant to eat in but I usually do take-​out.

I had lunch with a ravenous carnivore who desperately needed red meat lightening fast. I rushed to Lightening Jack’s with him, as he was eying me hungrily, and I didn’t want to get eaten alive! Haha. We ordered Jack’s Meat Sampler for $ 18.19 to share, which includes pork and beef ribs, barbecue chicken, beef brisket, hot link and corn on the cob. We also had these sides: mac & cheese, baked beans, onion rings, and hush puppies.
I’m adding 1 star to my review just for the pleasure it gave me to watch my favorite carnivore Unilocaler devouring most of our meat sampler. He really enjoyed it!
As for me, I’m very picky about red meat, and it’s not usually my favorite food. I just ate at Fogo de Chao this weekend, and Lightening Jack’s can’t compete with Brazilian barbecue! My favorite part of the Jack’s Meat Sampler was the chicken, which tasted fresh and tender. My least favorite was the pork rib. My pork rib suffered from not being fresh enough for me. I prefer it to have the taste and juicy texture of a rib that’s fresh off the barbecue. The beef brisket tasted ok, but it’s not as tender as I’d like it to be.
In my opinion, Lightening Jack’s is a contradictory concept, because the best barbecue is slow and cannot be lightening fast at all, and needs to be served up fresh.
I loved the baked beans! What do they put in those? Next time I get dragged to Lightening Jack’s by a ravenous carnivore, I will just order barbecue chicken, baked beans, and Mac n cheese for myself. And the hush puppies are fun, dipped in honey.
Phil’s Barbecue is definitely better. But if you are in Clairemont and need a fast lunch, and are craving BBQ, give Lightenin Jack’s a try. I’d recommend asking them what is the freshest meat at the time of your visit.
My Unilocaling carnivore lunch companion is a generous dude, and often treats me to lunch. He often let’s me choose the lunch spot, so I was happy to see his carnivorous cravings satisfied on this visit to Lightening Jack’s in the Clairemont town square, near the movie theatre.
I actually prefer Dino’s Gyro’s, which is close by.
Unilocal SECRET: Free and easy parking! During the lunch rush, park on this side of the Clairemont town square, near movie theatre, and enjoy a stress free lunch at one of the friendly eateries here! Take your pick here: Dino’s Gyro’s, Lightenin Jack’s, Starbucks, Indian food, an Italian café, or Mexican. I haven’t tried the Mexican place yet.