Phil's BBQ Finally Opens Doors In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — After more than two months of coronavirus-related delays, San Diego barbecue stalwart Phil's BBQ opened its brand-new Temecula restaurant on Friday, dishing out plates of meat for customers to take to-go.

The restaurant, at 40830 Winchester Road, is the first Phil's location outside of San Diego County, and was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting Friday morning. In accordance with state health orders, it will start out as to-go only.

“We hope to welcome everyone into our new home soon, but, in the meantime, we are happy to offer take-out services to people around the area," owner Phil Pace said in a statement. "We are following all of the recommended safety protocols to ensure a clean and healthy environment in our new restaurant."

To say Phil's arrival in Riverside County has been long-awaited would be an understatement. A Phil's executive told the Press-Enterprise this week that the chain got 25 to 35 emails per week for "years and years," encouraging them to open a Temecula shop.

The Temecula location was formerly a TGI Friday's. Phil's bought the 6,342-square-foot space in January and gave it a major overhaul, the Press-Enterprise reported. It's the fifth standalone Phil's location, although the chain also has shops at San Diego's Petco Park and the San Diego International Airport.

Customers at the restaurant will be required to wear face masks; decals on the floor will help maintain social distancing; and the facility will be sanitized every 30 minutes, the company said.