Is there parking at BJ's in University City?

Yes, there's parking available at the location on Villa La Jolla Dr. Given the casual, family-friendly vibe and consistent traffic, arriving during off-peak hours (lunch before noon or early dinner around 5pm) will make parking easier and get you seated faster.

Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in?

BJ's takes reservations and accepts walk-ins, but the spot gets packed in the evenings—especially on weekends. If you're coming for dinner after 6pm, call ahead to reserve a table; otherwise, expect a wait and potential 30-60 minute waits for food during busy times.

Is BJ's good for families with kids?

Absolutely. This is a true family spot with something for everyone on the menu, from burgers to steak to vegetarian options. The casual atmosphere and variety mean even picky eaters will find something they like.

What should I order first?

Skip the steak—reviews suggest it's inconsistent here. Instead, go for the French dip sandwich (described as loaded with meat) or the Tri-Tip if you want beef done right. For dessert, the Monkey Bread Pizookie is legitimately excellent—sweet but not cloying, and comes in bite-sized pieces.

Does BJ's have vegetarian options?

Yes, vegetarian options are available throughout the menu. Between the pizza choices, sandwiches, and sides, vegetarians have real variety here, not just an afterthought.

What's the best time to visit to avoid a long wait?

Lunch (before 1pm) or early dinner (before 5:30pm) will get you in and out quickly. If you're a night owl, BJ's stays open late, which is convenient—just know that late-night service tends to be slower than you'd want.

Are there daily deals or specials?

Yes, the menu includes deals for different days of the week, so it's worth asking your server what's running during your visit. It's one reason locals treat this as a solid casual weeknight go-to.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse — Pizza in University City, San…

“BJ's plants a 200-seat brewery in a neighborhood of fast-casual counters and niche specialists, offering the kind of sprawling American menu that feeds six people with six different needs without a meltdown.”

Where Qin West forces you through QR codes and Calvin's locks into a single protein category, BJ's runs the full gamut: **tri-tip steak**, **French dip sandwiches**, **pizookies**, house-brewed beer, and a kids' menu that doesn't just tolerate families but actively courts them. That's the play here — being the default group dinner solution when half the table wants pizza, someone's vegetarian, the kids need plain pasta, and one person insists on ordering a ribeye at a brewpub. It mostly works.

The **tri-tip** shows up cooked competently if you're okay with medium as the baseline — no rare option, which matters if you care. The **French dip** earns mentions for sheer meat volume, the kind of sandwich that requires structural engineering to eat. But the real anchor is the **pizookie** lineup, particularly the **monkey bread** version that manages sweetness without tipping into county-fair territory. It's warm, shareable, and the reason tables linger after the check comes.

Service swings between genuinely attentive and glacial depending on when you arrive — evening rushes can push wait times past 45 minutes, which is rough when you're managing hungry kids. The brewery side delivers: house beers rotate often enough to keep locals coming back, and the tap list runs deeper than most sports bars pretend to care about. Late-night hours matter in a neighborhood where kitchens close early; this spot stays open when options thin out.

It's chain consistency with brewpub credibility, which is exactly what University City needs when coordination beats curation. Park in the Villa La Jolla structure and walk — street parking disappears fast on weekends.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

FAQ

Google Reviews

BonVivant Reviews

Similar Spots

Tribute Pizza

Buona Forchetta

Parfait Paris

Contact & Hours