Tom's Chinese BBQ

Delicious food from their roast duck to their pork and pastries.

Roger Ma

One of the best Cantonese bbq joints in town! Cash only as usual for these type of roasted Chinese bbq joints. The parking lot is a bit rough (you are venturing into East Daygo after all). Don't mind those trying to holler at you or blatantly trying hustling you (black market goodies). This is a hidden gem that your palate will thank you for! Call ahead of time as they tend to run out of roasted duck pretty early on during the weekdays. Their bbq pork (char siu) is bomb too! Again, get there early to get the freshest slab! Bring cash and an appetite.

Tim Cutter

Excellent little chinese hole in the wall. DELICIOUS Dim Sum & Buns. I come back regularly...very Good and very Cheap!

Alex C

Among several bakeries all around San Diego, Tom's has the best bao consistently. I'll definitely be coming back here again and again.

MURZBO

Delicious food from their roast duck to their pork and pastries.

AJ

I first visited this restaurant in 2010. I just moved back to San Diego, and was so happy to see it is still here. The food is exactly as it was, perfect. This is a mom and pop joint, a family owned business, which I love. This latest visit I tried their pork buns, coconut buns, and various other freshly made weekend items. Everything was great. This place is CASH ONLY. It's well worth the ATM withdrawal. I plan to come back soon to order the roasted pork, and roasted duck. Entering feels like a walk into China Town. It has a wonderful ambiance and energy. I really hope this restaurant stays open for decades to come. Current Menu with prices below. Run don't walk if you haven't been to this place. 2026 Menu and Weekend Specials attached in photos.

Ailen Fickling

I’ve been coming here as long as I can remember. When I’m in San Diego this is the Only please in east San Diego that will give me the the best duck ever! The service is quick! Parking can be a little tricky but worth double parking and running in!

Viralyn

Cash only and super affordable, especially in this economy! I tried pretty much all the baked goods. The bread was fluffy and sweet and filling complemented all of it with either a savory component or lightly sweet filling. On the weekends you’ll be able to try their sesame ball and other weekend only specialties. I wish I lived in San Diego to be able to go more often but it made its way back with me to Dallas in perfect condition.

Trivyum

I'm sure I'm already preaching to the choir when I say that this is easily the best roast duck in San Diego. As for the buns, don't let people's reviews stop you from trying them yourself, like I foolishly almost did. The bread is soft and sweet and the BBQ pork inside is really good. I added some pictures for reference (There was more duck, but my mom already started eating before I took pictures.) You won't regret trying it, and it's all reasonably priced. I honestly think that the 1 star and 2 star reviews complaining about the taste come from lifelong smokers who burnt out all their taste buds. 🤷‍♂️ Also if you do end up LIKING this place, give it a GOOD REVIEW. Businesses, especially smaller ones need as much help as they can get during these times, and a lot of people drop reviews only if they had a bad experience. Help out your local businesses.

Issa Able

Really cool little spot. With very reasonable prices. We got three different items and they were all great. We got a couple different stuffed buns that they have and they were both very good and we also got some pork and that was amazing as well. The ladies that work there are all very friendly and you’re in and out of there quick because it’s like a cafeteria style line.

Nancy Adhulbodee

I came here for some duck for Thanksgiving and it did not disappoint! I read all the reviews and saw that this was so called "the best roast duck in San Diego" and thought I'd give it a try. Honestly they give the biggest quantity and best quality. Take it from a girl who's lived most of her life on LA Chinatown duck. This is top tier. Keep in mind it is a hole in the wall and it's cash only, but most of the best places are.

David Rosenfelder

I had a sesame bun (amazing dessert), steamed pork bun, baked pork bun and some roast pork. Everything was delicious! They also have whole roast duck, pork spare ribs, and some more exotic options. I wish I could go back right now for another sesame bun!

Hole in the wall Chinese bbq for your favorite bbq treats like roast duck (1/2 or full), roast pork by the pound, Chinese dim sum steam buns with different fillings and more. Going to try the shumai (steamed dumpling) next time. Place is small without any seating but you’re probably on the way to a gathering with the goods from here or just stopping for a quick finger food snack. Dont be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what they have!

Tom's Chinese BBQ is a wonderful family owned local business. It is located on University. I look forward to future visits. Nice OG San Diego Business. Don't miss it. Their weekend specials are really good. They have the best homemade pork and coconut buns. Wonderful fresh roasted duck. Sunday mornings are the best time to come for freshly made baked items.Their weekend specials are always fresh, along with everything else they offer. It is also a good place to buy fresh roasted duck, and bbq pork. Prices are reasonable. This location is cash only. Best for takeout. There is no seating.

If you like duck and pork ,chinese style,this is the place. It's to go only no seating. It is not in a very good area but during the daytime it is safe.

Really friendly service, we got a half duck and pork belly and a couple rolls. They were really kind to our children :) Delicious food, especially the pork belly. We made a fried rice with most of it.

So I haven't here in a while, mainly just because I don't live in the area anymore, but this spot is amazing. The BBQ pork buns are so delicious. The bun is sweet and fluffy and the bbq pork is juicy. This is definitely worth trying

Came here since I was a kid, delicious food for great prices. Workers are wonderful people. Much love and respect for them for still being there, take your friends and family there, you will not regret it.

Amy was so kind in serving me and talking to me through what everything was! I tried the duck, sesame balls (not greasy and so yummy), buns and will be back for the dim sum.

Cesar CanoSr

If you like duck and pork ,chinese style,this is the place. It's to go only no seating. It is not in a very good area but during the daytime it is safe.

Zorro

Came here since I was a kid, delicious food for great prices. Workers are wonderful people. Much love and respect for them for still being there, take your friends and family there, you will not regret it.

Sylvia RL

Really friendly service, we got a half duck and pork belly and a couple rolls. They were really kind to our children :) Delicious food, especially the pork belly. We made a fried rice with most of it.

Jenna Leigh

So I haven't here in a while, mainly just because I don't live in the area anymore, but this spot is amazing. The BBQ pork buns are so delicious. The bun is sweet and fluffy and the bbq pork is juicy. This is definitely worth trying

Scott Miyazaki

Hole in the wall Chinese bbq for your favorite bbq treats like roast duck (1/2 or full), roast pork by the pound, Chinese dim sum steam buns with different fillings and more. Going to try the shumai (steamed dumpling) next time. Place is small without any seating but you’re probably on the way to a gathering with the goods from here or just stopping for a quick finger food snack. Dont be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what they have!

Jonathan Park

Doesn’t look like much so I knew this place would be a hidden gem, and it does not disappoint. Some of the juiciest duck and best dimsum outside of convoy. If you’re into simple Chinese bakery staples, this spot is so so good. Way better than anything in the area

No one You Know

Tom's Chinese BBQ is a wonderful family owned local business. It is located on University. I look forward to future visits. Nice OG San Diego Business. Don't miss it. Their weekend specials are really good. They have the best homemade pork and coconut buns. Wonderful fresh roasted duck. Sunday mornings are the best time to come for freshly made baked items.Their weekend specials are always fresh, along with everything else they offer. It is also a good place to buy fresh roasted duck, and bbq pork. Prices are reasonable. This location is cash only. Best for takeout. There is no seating.

Only place in San Diego I've been able to find baked char siu bao! Not only can you see "mom and pop" humbly making everything, but it definitely doesn't have that mass-produced/commercial feel you get from the big Asian market bakery section. Could become a weekend morning staple!

Jon Tsui

Only place in San Diego I've been able to find baked char siu bao! Not only can you see "mom and pop" humbly making everything, but it definitely doesn't have that mass-produced/commercial feel you get from the big Asian market bakery section. Could become a weekend morning staple!

Dishonest Practices at This Chinese BBQ – Customers Beware! I recently had a very disappointing experience at this Chinese BBQ that has completely destroyed my trust in this business. I purchased a whole BBQ duck and specifically asked for it to be cut. However, I witnessed what appeared to be a deliberate bait-and-switch. An older woman with short hair took the duck I had chosen and brought it to the cutting station at the right corner. Instead of cutting my duck, she appeared to hide it to the side and replaced it with leftover pieces from another duck. She even leaned her body toward the divider wall, seemingly to block my view of what she was doing. This isn’t the first time I suspected something like this—it happened once before when I briefly left to re-park my car after placing an order. This time, I made sure to watch carefully, and I’m certain of what I saw. I brought this to the attention of the staff, including Mr. Tom, whom I had trusted for years. Sadly, they all acted as if they didn’t know what I was talking about. It's incredibly disappointing to see a place I used to support engage in what looks like long-standing dishonest behavior. I can no longer recommend this business and will not be returning.

Political Spectrum USA

Dishonest Practices at This Chinese BBQ – Customers Beware! I recently had a very disappointing experience at this Chinese BBQ that has completely destroyed my trust in this business. I purchased a whole BBQ duck and specifically asked for it to be cut. However, I witnessed what appeared to be a deliberate bait-and-switch. An older woman with short hair took the duck I had chosen and brought it to the cutting station at the right corner. Instead of cutting my duck, she appeared to hide it to the side and replaced it with leftover pieces from another duck. She even leaned her body toward the divider wall, seemingly to block my view of what she was doing. This isn’t the first time I suspected something like this—it happened once before when I briefly left to re-park my car after placing an order. This time, I made sure to watch carefully, and I’m certain of what I saw. I brought this to the attention of the staff, including Mr. Tom, whom I had trusted for years. Sadly, they all acted as if they didn’t know what I was talking about. It's incredibly disappointing to see a place I used to support engage in what looks like long-standing dishonest behavior. I can no longer recommend this business and will not be returning.