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The Best House Cured House Smoked Pastrami in San Diego?

How a pop-punk band manager built San Diego’s best barbecue pit and why his house-cured pastrami might be the city’s new sandwich king

By Troy Johnson April 3, 2025

The Best House Cured House Smoked Pastrami in San Diego?

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES Know the Neighborhood Where to eat, where to drink, and what it's like to live there. EXPLORE THE GUIDES

On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy gives us an inside take on what to order at Leu Leu, the new spot from celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda. And the dish you gotta try in central city is the house-cured, house-smoked, hand-cut pastrami from last year’s SDM winner for Best Barbecue in San Diego—Grand Ole BBQ y Asado in North Park. In honor of this new pastrami destination (quality pastrami is a top-five destination determinant), we revisit our interview with owner Andy Harris—who went from managing all the popular pop-punk bands from the ’90s (he still manages some) to the brisket champ of San Diego.