The Fire Spot

4646 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
+1 858-737-4135
$$$ Restaurant
(293 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

The Fire Spot brings an authentic Korean barbecue experience to Convoy Street with a focus on premium, charcoal-grilled meats. The restaurant feels lively and bustling, especially during peak dinner hours when wait times can stretch up to an hour. For those looking to dodge the crowd, early arrival right when the doors open is a solid strategy.

The atmosphere balances casual and vibrant—think groups of friends and families sharing plates over smoky grills, the warm breeze mingling with subtle hints of sizzling beef and spices. The seating setup allows everyone at the table to engage in cooking their own meats, which range from hand-cut beef selections like sliced beef tongue and brisket to generous portions of short ribs and marinated chicken gizzards. The charcoal grill not only boosts the flavor but also adds a tangible layer to the dining experience that sets it apart from standard gas grills.

The Fire Spot’s all-you-can-eat plans are straightforward and appeal most to those looking to sample a broad spectrum of offerings, including unique sides like shrimp with oyster mushrooms, corn cheese, and spicy beef noodle soup. The deluxe plan at around $40 is particularly recommended for first-timers who want to dive into their full range without holding back. Beyond the meat, the drink menu complements well with options like soju and Korean beer, along with lighter choices such as jasmine green tea or tangerine soda to balance out the meal.

Service here moves swiftly, even when the place is packed, which keeps the focus on enjoying the food and company rather than waiting on refills or replacements. The ventilation does a good job at keeping smoke from clinging to clothes, a practical detail that makes it a comfortable stop for those planning to head elsewhere afterward without needing a wardrobe change.

Overall, The Fire Spot suits anyone in San Diego seeking a no-frills, hearty Korean barbecue experience with a variety of quality meats over charcoal. It’s especially fitting for groups or families who enjoy sharing meals and taking their time over a casual, interactive dinner. Weekday early evenings or just as it opens are best for a quieter table and quicker seating. If you’re new to Korean BBQ or have experienced it before, the added depth from charcoal grilling and thoughtful meat selections give The Fire Spot a clear local edge on Convoy Street’s dining scene.

Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Has all you can eat
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

04:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Tuesday

04:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Wednesday

04:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Thursday

04:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Friday

04:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

293 Reviews
Momo Zhang

01 Jan 2026

This restaurant is absolutely booming! Never expected it to be even more popular after reopening following the fire—you’ll wait at least an hour during peak meal times! Sincerely suggest showing up right before it opens to skip the line or avoiding rush hours altogether. It’s an all-you-can-eat spot with two options: $39.99 and $34.99. If it’s your first time, go for the $39.99 one to try all the varieties. Besides the delicious meat, every other dish is amazing too—appetizers, sour cabbage beef noodles, cheesy corn, beef soup, steamed eggs… everything tastes fantastic! No wonder it’s so fiery . There’s nothing better than enjoying sizzling grilled meat in this cozy spot on a cold night!

kyduyen nguyen

28 Nov 2025

Last night we came late around 9:30 but they are really fast in getting us a table. Everyone is very nice and service is quick. The meat is very tender and delicious and there’s alot of options. We choose the deluxe plan. Everything tastes so good. Its the first time we have eaten that much food. We will definitely return and recommend this place for anyone who wants the best korean BBQ.

Mike R

13 Nov 2025

I’ve had Korean BBQ plenty of times, but this is my first KBBQ experience over a charcoal grill. You can tell they use all premium meats. The meats come with great marbling. The charcoal grill adds more flavor into the food and creates a better dining experience. This is now one of my top KBBQ destinations. Highly recommended! You won’t regret it!

Gabrielle Stoddard

01 Nov 2025

high quality meat even with the cheaper pricing tier. one of the best kbbq places at this price. their exhaust is good, your clothes and hair won’t smell like bbq after you leave

Rikki

31 Oct 2025

We ordered: 1: Prime New York Steak x2 2: Prime Cut Steak 3: Beef Skirt Steak 4: Sliced Beef Tongue x2 my favorite 6: Mini Sweet Pork Sausages 11: Spicy Beef Noodles 16: Sliced Beef Brisket 17: Black Pepper Rib Finger Meat 20: Miso Pork Belly 29: Sweet Potatoes 34: Cucumber Salad 37: Rice Paper Diet coke, Peach & Lemon Soju, Lemon Black Tea I HIGHLY recommend showing up 1 hour before they open on a Sunday! So much parking to choose from at that time and you're first in line. First on the waiting list and first to get a table. All of the meats are QUALITY. They cook to perfection and have an amazing taste. Staff is also top tier. Super friendly and tentative! This place is quaint with about 12 tables inside and 1 bathroom. If you don't show up before they open you'll probably wait two hours to eat because that's how long my group stayed to go through all of this amazing food. We didn't have to get a new grill like other kbbq do, the heat was perfect the entire time. The picture of the line I posted is 30 minutes before opening (which is when their wait list opens). Id definitely wait because it's worth it. Or skip all of that and be first in line like we did, less stress. I'll definitely be back again! Thanks for making my birthday special and DELICIOUS

Keke Feng

21 Oct 2025

This place is the best Korean BBQ in town!!! You may have to wait but it’s totally worth it and you know the long wait is direct evidence about how great this place is New York steak is tender, beef tongue melts in your mouth, short ribs are juicy, Korean cold noodles are authentic, and the cheese corn is yummy and can serve as a dessert. They also serve Mexican coke (separate charge). The staff are super friendly and attentive. They came by to make sure you have all you need and change the BBQ plates frequently. Cannot wait to go back but I have too much food lately Adult is 39.99 per person with premium choices. Kid eats at a discount. Parking is challenging in this shopping mall.

regis kwong

16 Sep 2025

The Fire Spot in San Diego is a must-visit for anyone craving a flavorful fusion of Chinese, Korean, and barbecue cuisines. After returning from our trip to Mexico, we had dinner here with our son and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and experience this small but mighty restaurant offers. The standout feature here is the charcoal grill, which brings a smoky depth to their high-quality meats. We opted for the prime option ($5 more), and it was worth every penny—especially for the tender ox tongue and juicy ribeye. The sliced brisket and marinated short ribs were also exceptional, cooked to perfection at our table. The sides were flavorful and complemented the meal beautifully, ensuring every bite was memorable. While the dining area is cozy, the attentive service ensures your time is well spent. They enforce a 90-minute dining limit, but the staff is quick and efficient, keeping the experience enjoyable without feeling rushed. A heads-up: it’s a popular spot, so you’ll need to put your name on the waiting list upon arrival, and peak times can mean longer waits. Parking is fee-based, and payment requires scanning a QR code—something to keep in mind when planning your visit. Despite the minor inconveniences, The Fire Spot delivers a savory, sizzling feast that’s well worth it. For an elevated Korean BBQ experience with top-notch meats and a cozy vibe, this place is a gem.

Chris So

13 Sep 2025

Yakiniku style charcoal grills with KBBQ menu. The Fire Spot has a simple layout and menu with fast service and quality meat. Our favorites were the lamb and the squid. Most of their meats were flavored so well you didn’t need to add much of the sauces at all. Also, be sure to spoon the steamed egg into your rice - yum! Eating was limited to 90 minutes which was nice because it kept the tables going. You can order five meats a round for the whole table. Staff is fast and very friendly. Sapporo and Asahi bottles for $5. My favorite part was the charcoal grills. They didn’t stink up our clothes and hair (thanks to ingenious retractable fans) and I they didn’t burn the meat into a sticky black mess like traditional KBBQ stoves. The charcoal smell and flavor made the meat all the better. Definitely a good spot to stop by for a slow and savory meal with friends.

Join the The Fire Spot Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.