Pioneer Bbq
I remember back in 2018 Chef Hanis Calvin founded The Pioneer. I saw him hard at work in the kitchen and the bbq was very good. Sadly he left for other ventures. I’m visiting for the last time as The Pioneer closed on July 8, 2025.
Pioneer Bbq smokes their meats with white oak which gives their meats a smoky flavor without the bitter aftertaste.
Pork baby back ribs were tender and had a smoky aroma and flavor from the white oak.
Dry rub gave the ribs a bit of sweetness from the brown sugar and some spice from the black pepper. Very tasty.
Prime beef brisket was tender and juicy. Peppercorn based dry rub and the smoky flavor combined with the high quality beef into some delicious brisket.
Staff was nice and efficient. I’ll miss this place Chef Hanis created.
I was told I could get the same Texas style bbq at a sister restaurant Del’s Hideout which employs the same Executive Chef Tim Eylens. It was back in 2011 I first sampled Chef Hanis food at Carnitas Snack Shack. Best carnitas I ever had. It’s been since 2023 when I last saw Chef Hanis at the now closed Carbon Bbq. I hope he is doing well.
To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.
Neil Gaiman
8622 Lake Murray Blvd
San Diego, CA 92119
San Diego, CA 92119
(619) 825-7787
Soo
I like to take photos of beautiful things like rain falling into puddles. Photos were mostly taken on a Fuji XE-2. Starting 9.9.2016 most photos are taken on a Fuji XT-2. Subsequent photos were taken with an Iphone 13 Pro and an Iphone 15 Pro Max.
2 Comments
Maggie
That’s sad they are closed now.
Soo
I wonder what they are going to replace Pioneer Bbq with.