When Pigs Fly BBQ

Like others mentioned… we have driven past and said… we need to try that place… well, finally we did. Sooo glad we did. Drove down and got an order for 2 – 4 people… great value! So, for the $ 31 we pick 1 lb brisket, 4 rolls, beans and Mac and cheese… with side sauces… so good. The Beans were amazing… with beef chunks in them. The brisket was fall apart smokey goodness. And the sauces were very tasty. I thought the Mac and cheese was good, but the kids were thinking… so/so…but overall we will be back… wish they had a sit down place…

I LOVE this place. I am not a big fan of red meat and 5his place COMPLETELY got me hooked ! Highly highly recommend. the staff is super sweet as well:))

Great BBQ even though we had it 1.5 hours after getting home from San Diego. Too bad there’s no place to sit down and eat. Owner was super nice and gave me a cup of chili while waiting. Peach Cobbler is super delicious and would go back just for that!

Trying something new is always nice again customer service is great and food is excellent.

Everything here is absolutely amazing. I usually go early on weekends because by 8pm on Saturday several meat selections and their peach cobbler were sold out. I go with the 2 meat entrée plate which also comes with a side and a roll. I think the portions are great for the price, as the one entrée can be split into two meals for me. What I particularly enjoy is that the meats don’t come doused in BBQ sauce. You really don’t need any sauce because they’re so flavorful, but you have their regular, bold, and spicy sauces to choose from if you do decide to get any. Their peach cobbler is the best I have ever had!!!

Update: The food is very good. By california standards, this is some of their best bbq. Prices are fairly decent throughout, and I am pleased by the quality of the sauce. It could be a fair bit spicier. While the meat was not the juiciest, the time I ordered was near the middle of the afternoon. I appreciate the owner having a quick response to my concerns over their menu updates. I will continue giving this location business in the future.
I am vastly disappointed in the number of Vista businesses that think not ever updating their website menu items or pricing is acceptable practice. It is dishonest, lazy, and in some cases, infuriating. This is the fifth place I’ve talked to with some glaring discrepancy on their website. The redneck nachos are not available… on a monday… the day that it specifically says they are available on the menu. If this is an oversight and they are out of product, such should be admitted by staff instead of «we don’t have that». While this is a relatively inconsequential thing, it is extremely inconvenient and a large detraction from my willingness to give this or any other similarly acting business in this area any of my money. That all being said, I digress. I look forward to actually trying your bbq and will update my review upon actual consumption of your product.

To be fair, I did not try this BBQ at the brick and mortar location. They were catering at the Stagecoach Country Musical Festival and I was so compelled to write a review because of how amazing the food was! I ordered their one meat plate, which I had with tri-​tip and the housemade sausage. Delicious spicy! The sides I got were the smoked corn and BBQ beans. This was by far the best BBQ I’ve had in a long time. Everything was freshly made, and the flavors of the meats and sides were all on-​point. Will definitely venture to the actual location whenever I make it over to Vista someday.

My kids and my daughter’s friend were hungry after a long day of volleyball, so when I asked them what they wanted to eat, BBQ was the suggestion. We were heading back home to San Diego, so I looked up BBQ places in North County and one of the higher rated restaurants that came up was When Pigs Fly BBQ. It was 4.5 stars and I liked what I read from other reviewers. So off we went in search of When Pigs Fly BBQ and when we finally pulled up in front of the Chevron gas station that housed When Pigs Fly, we almost turned around. Really really glad we did not.
You read me correctly. When Pigs Fly is located inside the convenience store of a Chevron gas station in Vista, CA. It’s about a 2 mile drive inland from the 78 freeway exit, but the length of the drive should not deter you. Our party of 4 was reluctant about my choice to satisfy our BBQ craving as we walked through the automatic doors of the Chevron convenience store/​BBQ restaurant. Our reluctance was mainly due to this restaurant not looking like a typical sit down restaurant. It appeared that there was only a counter with 4 bar stools for the seating area. I later found out that there is a covered patio outside of the convenience store, where there are tables and chairs for the restaurant. As you walk through the doors, When Pigs Fly is to the right distinguished by signage, a large menu board, and an area cluttered with trophies and other mementos announcing their BBQ prowess. All you do is walk up to the counter and order from their menu. Big kudos for the outstanding customer service we received from Jeff, who just made our first visit such a pleasant one that it will be worth the drive to introduce my wife to When Pigs Fly.
My kids, my daughter’s friend, and I LOVED the BBQ we ate from When Pigs Fly. I really loved the value for your money. I ordered the 2 meat BBQ plate, where I chose sausage and beef brisket, and it came with a choice of one side, which was mac and cheese. You also get to choose your type of BBQ sauce, which I chose the spicy version, and you get your choice of bread. The sausage was filling, hearty, and very tasty. The brisket was tender and for the price, rivaled some of the more pricey brisket I’ve eaten at well known San Diego BBQ restaurants. The mac and cheese was creamy and yummy. For the price, this BBQ stacked up against more expensive BBQ restaurants. The kids all had pulled pork sandwiches and they devoured them like there was no tomorrow. I was kind of bummed that I only had a sampling of what they ate. When Pigs Fly has those state-​of-​the-​art 500 flavors soda machines, so you can have refills to your heart’s content. Jeff secured a return visit by giving us a complimentary peach cobbler, which was delicious and divine.
If you’re looking for a great tasting BBQ restaurant, one that won’t hurt your wallet, with excellent customer service, and a no frills place (Cmon, it’s inside a gas station convenience store), you’re probably thinking the only way to find something like that is When Pigs Fly. Exactly!!! Enjoy my fellow Unilocalers.

Wanted to love this place and was so disappointed it was closed Sundays when I wanted to try it. I ordered ahead on another day and got the pulled pork sandwich and potato salad and Cole slaw. Bleh. Just tasted generic. Will give it another chance because I do like bbq dry so I will try again and update if next time is better.
Update. Tried it again, ordered the family bundle. It again was just ok. The peach cobbler was ok. Not great. No one in my party thought anything was all that special. Lots of leftovers. I hate to leave bad reviews and after my first review, the owner contacted me and said he didn’t understand my first review. But I really can’t say anything more than it just isn’t anything special. Like I said before, just tasted generic.

Wasn’t expecting it to be out of a gas station. Had the Brisket and Tri-​tip, both were a bit salty, but ok. If I had to choose just one I would choose the Brisket. Oh yeah, had the BBQ beans, no biggie. Portions were less than I expected for the price. Would I eat here again? I guess…
After my second visit I was even more disappointed than the first time. I really wanted to like this place as the owner contacted me trying to address my previous issues and in my opinion this shows he cares. Went in around 1pm and I got a 3 meat plate and all 3 meats and side were dry and seemed old. Seemed as if the food had been sitting for a while. Maybe dine in is better, but I would NOT recommend to go orders.

Absolutly wonderful. Rosa and Jeff, we thank you.
The team here was extremely helpful in guiding us through our first «When Pigs Fly «experience.
Do not be fooled by the location. We pulled up to chevron not expecting 5 star BBQ, this blew our mind.
The brisket was amazing and tri-​tip equally as good. Both very tender lean cuts of beef.
The sides are delicious and sauces only add to amazing flavor.
Do yourself a favor and stop by.
You have devoted new customers!!!
Jaime and Edgar

Yeah yeah BBQ in a gas statation soooooo strange. I didn’t bat an eyelash when my uncle told me that. If Unilocal says it’s 4.5*, I don’t care what kind of place houses the restaurant. We made the drive for lunch, and it was as good as expected. A little pricey, but that’s standard for BBQ. I had the one meat combo but wished I had two. I got the brisket and it was good, but my family let me try the tri-​tip and I think I’d get that next time.

I want to start off by saying that I am a BBQ snob. I was raised in the Midwest and have had the best BBQ that there is — I mean it! From Kansas City to OKC to Austin and all points in between.
Moving to San Diego in 1989 I knew there would be some adjustments. Yeah, I got great weather and great tacos but where’s the fuggin’ BBQ? Back then there was Love’s (blech) and Kansas City BBQ (which was named that for tourists — not people who know good BBQ). Then there was Real Texas BBQ up on Miramar. I used to like them but there food has gotten inconsistent and the kids running the show have no service skills. Then Phil’s came along (really? boo hiss) and you could find a smoker running here and there but BBQ, GOOD BBQ, is hard to make and expensive. So places come and places go.
I stopped in on a whim while visiting friends in the North County. The place caught my eye because it’s part of a gas station convenience store and their end is painted charcoal black with pink signs! Good job! So I go in and I’m very wary because it’s basically and little kitchen shoved in the end of the store and there’s a white guy cooking! I have to tell you this, without a racist bone in my body, that the best barbecue is cooked by black men. I can’t say why, I won’t give you any names, I just know it to be true. Well, I gave ol’ Dave a shot and damn! he hit it out of the park.
The brisket was smoky, tender and juicy. The riblets were pink (smoke ring) inside and charry on the edges. The coleslaw was homemade. Everything was 100% wonderful. I felt like I had some Texas brisket served along side KC ribs. I will most definitely be back. Thank you for great food. Oh shit! I almost forgot the home made cobbler. Nom nom nom. *burp*

I’m giving them 3.5 because the food is alright to me, they’re the only BBQ spot in Vista I believe and the location is close to me. I know about some good BBQ and I’m not saying they don’t deserve all their awards I’m just saying I had better. The employees are nice, the area is clean and there are a few tables outside.
The tri-​tip was alright, the sauces aren’t too bad and the prices aren’t too bad. Ok so the issues that I have are that when I was there they didn’t have sweet tea which I’m a big fan of and the portions are a little small. I know you can’t please everyone and I understand that but I guess what I was expecting was a southern BBQ spot.
I’m not saying this is a bad BBQ place because its not I’m just saying it’s alright and that it doesn’t blow my socks off like «That Boy Good» in Oceanside or «Coops» in Lemon Grove. Oh and if I remember correctly they’re closed on both of my days off.

I’ve heard things here and there about this place (how could one ignore the name?), but I didn’t realize its location until I looked up how to get there. The shared space didn’t make me bat an eye as I’ve been to a few good eateries attached to gas stations. Their black and pink paint job can’t be missed juxtaposed to the station.
For some, it’s a momentary disorientation walking into the shop and figuring out where to go to order. The attendant advised me to ring the bell at the register for service. After speaking with the staff about popular menu items, I decided on getting a single meat plate with Brisket, Mac N Cheese, and a sweet roll.
Brisket was juicy. I was skeptical after seeing many photos with dry looking meat, but this was fine, albeit not the cut I expected, but definitely not dry. For some reason I’d thought that the «Bold» BBQ sauce would have a little kick, but it was more on the sweeter side; I wish I had tried the original sauce instead. The best thing on the plate was the Mac N Cheese, which was thick and satiating despite its portion. 3.5 stars for the meal, though I would consider coming back to try their ribs or tri-​tip.

I had a friend tell me I had to try When Pigs FLY. The hardest thing for me was that this was in a gas station.
I was out N about and decided I was going to try it. Walked into the gas station and it smelled like some yummy smoky BBQ.
I opted to go for the 2 meat combo– comes with 1 side and either a Hawaiian roll or a white bun.
I had to try the pulled pork– then I asked if I wanted to try the Brisket or the Riblets. The Riblets were suggested and advised there was more meat and less cartalege. The corn must be popular because it was sold out. So I asked if I wanted the mac n Cheese or the Beans. He suggested the mac n cheese.
I used my Yep check in and got a free 32 oz soda. So with tax my total was $ 11.88.
When it was ready I really liked the gentleman that was handing out my food opened it to show me what I was getting to make sure it was right… AND he wore gloves.
The Sauce– I told him I wanted to taste the regular sauce and their spicy.
he gave me one that they put a B on it because it was Bold then an X for their super hot with a warning.
I have to say at Famous Dave’s I loved the Rich n Sassy, Sweet n Zesty AND the Devils spit. (wasn’t into Wilbur’s Revenge)
The Regular sauce was tasty and reminded me of the Sweet n Zesty. The Bold didn’t really seem spicy and was ok but, not what I would rate as that spicy. The X had a nice kick– still not too spicy but, I found myself using it as well as the regular. (I would totally like to try the Wings in the X sauce!)
Pork– It had a nice smoky flavor. not too tough and not too tender. The Riblets reminded me of Rib-​tips just not as charred. I kinda wish I had tried the brisket because I LOVE brisket. the riblets were a little tougher than I would have liked. but, meaty and a little bit of bones to deal with. (definitely wouldn’t eat these on a date!)
Mac N Cheese– It had a great flavor (it’s smoked) I would have liked a lil firmer noodle (not sure if it was the time of day/​how old the mac n cheese was) just a lil Mushy. (but, not bad… and whelp I ate it up!
So if you need to fill up or get a car wash run it and order some to go or they actually have some tables out doors by the car wash where you can sit.
Cheers!

Honestly, When Pigs Fly BBQ is pretty average in my book… Was pretty excited to give this place a try and was craving BBQ so I took a drive out to Vista to give it a shot. The location was not all that desirable (gas station) and the food was average in nearly all facets. Ordered the Brisket, pulled pork and some riblets as the meat options. The sides I selected were the BBQ baked beans and the Mac n cheese. I would say that all with the exception of the baked beans were average or less:
Meats:
Brisket– dry and rather tasteless
Pulled pork– very fatty and oily, tasted ok with a ton of BBQ sauce
Riblets– hard and didn’t taste good at all, threw them away.
Sides:
BBQ baked beans– absolutely delicious, probably some of the best baked beans I have ever eaten.
Mac n cheese– cold and disgusting
Sauce– delicious tasting
Overall, this place is nothing above average. I would’ve actually given it a lower rating if it wasn’t for those delicious baked beans. The meat and overall experience was nothing to write home about.
Pros–
Menu options
BBQ baked beans
Friendly service
Outdoor seating
BBQ sauces
Prompt service
Cons–
Meat was just average
Riblets weren’t good
Gas station location

HELL YES!!! Love this place. Wish they were closer. I was hoping it was a run down sketchy place in a crazy gas station, but this place is pristine with a nice new covered patio. It’ll totally be different than what you expect reading any of these reviews.
The gentleman running this place opened up the box and showed me the food before he gave it to me to go. You get this treatment from real BBQ spots that take pride in their craft and want you to be happy and excited before you leave. I wanted to face plant the container at the take out counter.
The spicy sauce stood out the most. One of the best spicy BBQ sauce I’ve ever tasted. Love the heat and spice in this. Wanted to go back in to buy some for home, but was too afraid I’d cave in to buy more food. Brisket is perfectly sliced succulent magic. Perfect moisture, color and smoke. Wings were great. Best dry rub I can remember on chicken. They’re spice experts with these. I’d of liked them crispier, but I know that’s my personal preference over the masses. Mac & cheese was decadent. One of the richer mac & cheeses I’ve experienced on the west coast. Great with a strong dose of black pepper. Sweet corn was delicious. Would love to see them offer a little parmesan to top and accentuate these.
Anyone who doesn’t like this place is completely off their rocker, or a local competitor. The guy (assume owner) running this place is the nicest person. They offer a Unilocal check-​in free beverage and have cards for frequent customers. This is the only place I’m interested in eating at in the area. Definitely in the top 3 BBQ places I’ve come across in CA. This is the only place I’ll be eating at when back in the area. Thanks to When Pigs Fly for special treat.

OK – this place takes road trip food to the next level and beyond. It’s at the Chevron station, and you run in– and unlike your normal M & Ms, Doritos, and Cokes, you get award winning barbecue.
Get the meats of your choice, but don’t forget the sides. Well worth stopping in!

This is some great BBQ in North County San Diego. It’s located in Vista to be exact.
I might add, «award winning» BBQ. The business is set up conveniently in a gas station (but don’t let that fool you)! I am sure this is a matter of convenience in addition to a great way to get new customers! My husband and I pick up take out probably once a month! We both love their pulled pork, potato salad and beans. We always order a plate option. They have a regular dessert — I believe a cobbler for you cobbler lovers (I’ve never liked cobbler — so that’s out for me). I know they have catering and they offer options for the holidays, such as Easter or Christmas!
For those who read my reviews… you will find that I LOVE sauces. This BBQ sauce is really good and doesn’t taste like others out there, so it’s a tasty treat.