Overview: Barlando
Now, O’Reilly is reinvesting in Corbin’s Q’s roots by only offering event catering and turning the storefront into a lively, neighborhood bar.
In 2017, Corbin O’Reilly opened Corbin’s Q, a barbecue joint that quickly became a staple in Rolando Village.
Now, O’Reilly has transformed the spot into Barlando, in hopes of bettering himself, his business, and the community — while keeping his love for barbecue alive through catering.
“A lot of different people go like, ‘Hey, what’s this Barlando thing? What’s going on?’” O’Reilly said. “It definitely shocks people. Change is a shock to people. But, ultimately, change is to better business and community.”
O’Reilly has been a key figure in the San Diego barbecue scene since he sold his first Corbin’s Q meats at the La Jolla Farmers’ Market in 2013. Since opening his Rolando storefront in 2017, every Nov. 16 has been officially dubbed “Corbin’s Q Day” by then-mayor Kevin Faulconer.
“[Barbecue] what I’m born and raised off of, and bringing that to the farmers markets was just something I felt like San Diego needed,” O’Reilly said. “Everything else has kind of branched off or blossomed from there. I’m really passionate about people and providing a good experience.”
Now, O’Reilly is reinvesting in Corbin’s Q’s roots by only offering event catering and turning the storefront into a lively neighborhood bar.
“This corner [storefront], it just felt like kind of a different embrace for live music in the neighborhood, some karaoke,” O’Reilly said. “It felt like the right kind of change that the brand was different, was separate.
“So it is a different experience, atmosphere. [With] catering, we’re gonna take care of you for a special day… We’re trying to embrace fun and karaoke.”
For O’Reilly, the shift was really about trying new things, entering a new business sphere and taking advantage of the growing Rolando neighborhood.
“This area is so on the come up, and if I can be one of the pillars supporting bigger, better business around here, I can, and I will do that. I’m a community guy.”
However, despite rebranding the restaurant to Barlando, O’Reilly is far from abandoning his barbecue roots.
“We were always a barbecue spot, but barbecue catering, like on-site catering, is what Corbin’s Q is all about,” O’Reilly said. “Fresh hot meats for special weddings, big days. We did a 3000-person event for solar turbines, that’s our bread and butter, those big caterers.”
For barbecue lovers, the new Barlando menu still offers classics like tri-tip and pulled pork. Now, there’s just a new emphasis on appetizer-style bites, weekly drink specials, and handcrafted cocktails for a nightlife experience.
“It feels so right,” O’Reilly said. “And all the steps we’ve made, so many more people are coming out supporting, it’s definitely kind of shook up the business world for people.
“Sometimes, when a business is around a while, it can feel a little more stagnant, especially towards the community … Catering has always paid the bills, and then I’d love to see Barlando blossom into her own.”
