According to filings submitted to the City of Chandler, Phil’s BBQ intends to open at 3440 West Chandler Boulevard in a former Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant space. The project would involve a full renovation of the more than 10,000-square-foot building, including substantial interior reconstruction, a redesigned wood-framed entrance façade, and the addition of a new back-of-house equipment yard. Phil’s BBQ President and CEO Kevin Sheehan stated the company views Chandler as a natural fit for its first Arizona outpost, though an official opening timeline has not yet been announced.
“We think it’s a great community and just a spot that will be a great addition for us,” Sheehan said in comments published by another outlet. “We’re excited to join the Arizona market and look forward to our expansion as we continue to grow the brand.”
Founded in 1998 by restaurateur Phil Pace, Phil’s BBQ became one of San Diego County’s most recognizable restaurant success stories during the early 2000s. The chain built a devoted following around its mesquite-grilled baby back ribs, barbecue chicken, onion rings, and signature sweet-and-smoky barbecue sauce, often drawing lines that stretched outside its Point Loma flagship for years after relocating there from Mission Hills in 2007.
The company expanded steadily throughout Southern California with locations in Point Loma, Santee, Rancho Bernardo, Temecula, and San Marcos before shuttering the San Marcos outpost during the pandemic. The brand also secured highly visible placements inside Petco Park, San Diego International Airport, and Sycuan Casino Resort, helping cement Phil’s as a staple of San Diego’s casual dining landscape.
At its height, Phil’s BBQ became one of Yelp’s most reviewed businesses in America and earned national television exposure through appearances on programs including Man v. Food and Best Sandwich in America. For many San Diegans, the restaurant became synonymous with family gatherings, Padres games, airport meals, and local tourism recommendations.
But the company and its founder have not been without controversy in recent years. In early 2025, Pace drew attention after attending President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., alongside a group of more than 75 San Diego-area Republicans organized in part by Congressman Darrell Issa and California State Senator Brian Jones. Pace later told media he became emotional during the experience and praised Trump’s leadership, stating he believed the president would “set this country back on the right path.”
The comments sparked criticism from some local residents online, particularly given San Diego’s politically diverse customer base. While many supporters applauded Pace’s patriotism and right to political expression, others questioned whether they would continue supporting the restaurant chain. The situation reflected a broader national trend of restaurant brands increasingly becoming entangled in political discourse and consumer backlash cycles tied to owners’ public statements and affiliations.
Phil’s BBQ has also occasionally faced criticism from barbecue purists who argue the restaurant’s sweeter, lightly smoked style differs significantly from traditional Texas, Carolina, Memphis, or Kansas City barbecue. The company itself has long leaned into that distinction, marketing its food as approachable, family-friendly barbecue designed for everyday dining rather than highly specialized regional authenticity.
“Our barbecue is a style of barbecue that can be eaten every day,” Sheehan said. “It’s not overly smoked, it’s very affordable and really just a great family environment.”
The Arizona expansion comes at a time when many established California restaurant groups are increasingly looking outside the state for growth opportunities amid rising operational costs, labor expenses, insurance premiums, and challenging commercial real estate conditions throughout California. Chandler, in particular, has recently emerged as a landing spot for multiple first-to-Arizona restaurant concepts as the rapidly growing Phoenix suburb continues attracting both residents and national brands.
Whether Phil’s BBQ can replicate its deep San Diego cult following in Arizona remains to be seen, but the move marks one of the most significant expansions in the company’s history and signals ambitions that extend far beyond its longtime Southern California footprint.
Phil’s BBQ has not yet announced an official opening date for the Chandler restaurant. For more information, visit philsbbq.com.
Originally published on May 11, 2026.
