Mark’s Bark

Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.
Yoshio Taniguchi

Historic old building.
Historic old building.

This building was old when I was young.  Every Saturday I biked by on my way to Golden State Comics.  The excitement of new comics waiting for me fueled me to pedal faster.  This place was a dive bar in the day.  I always wondered what it was like inside.

Outdoor seating.
Outdoor seating.
The view.
The view.
Special of the day.
Special of the day.

Now that I’m old enough to enter it’s a bbq joint.  You can feel the history in the walls.  I tried the smoked pork shoulder and beef brisket.  Excellent pork shoulder.  Melts in your mouth and has a really nice smoky flavor which goes great with the regular bbq sauce.  The beef brisket and the pork shoulder had a beautiful bark on it.  The secret blend of spices, the juicy, tender, smoky beef, the slightly spicy bbq sauce…  So delicious!  Best beef brisket I’ve ever had.  🙂

1/2lb pork shoulder + 1/2lb beef brisket
1/2lb pork shoulder + 1/2lb beef brisket

Spices form a beautiful dark brown bark on the pork ribs.  Flavor so delicious I eat a bunch of them without the bbq sauce.  Note the ribs are only available 2pm or later.  I’d call ahead and reserve a full rack.

bbq pork ribs
bbq pork ribs

I met the owner Mark and he was really nice as was his mom who was taking care of customers.  He gave me a first hand look at a beautiful beef brisket right out of the smoker.  🙂

Mark with his beef brisket.
Mark with his beef brisket.
Free dessert tray!
Free dessert tray!

If buildings could talk I’m sure this one has stories to tell.  Mark’s Bark is an excellent addition to this old building.  Thanks to Aaron H. for telling me about this place.  🙂

Mark’s Bark
3641 Madison Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 285-9578

Mark's Bark Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

6 Replies to “Mark’s Bark”

  1. That’s not a bad price for a full rack of ribs and two sides. Did you see what kinda BBQ sauces they have? I can’t remember the last time I had bbq pork shoulder. It looks nicely fatty and tender in your pic. How funny they serve the ribs over rice – I bet that would taste great slathered with bbq sauce!

    1. Sauces are original and spicy. I really like the original which is slightly spicy. Everything taste great but I think the beef brisket is my fav. Next time I go I’ll slather my rice with bbq sauce! Get some bbq pork shoulder and rice Faye!

  2. Those briskets look so good! I wonder how they compare to my ‘golden standard’… I’ll have to try it but the limited hours makes it harder!

    btw Sque closed! I guess that’s one less BBQ joint in San Diego.

    1. We should do a brisket tasting! I’m interested in your golden standard.

      I noticed SQUE closed too. Sadly near the end they didn’t have most of the great dishes I loved at the beginning. I miss the fried zucchini and the fried chicken wings from the early days. *sigh

  3. The “golden standard” might be hard to get. It’s made from my mom’s friend in Texas. Which reminds me, I should ask my mom for some when I visit Texas next month. If I do get it, I’ll share some with you and Maggie!

    1. You are a good friend! 🙂 Eat lots of bbq for me next month.

      We still need to go on our wing adventure!

Leave a Reply